A game-changer in terms of ubiquitous broadband access in Canada, ViaSat-1 will allow for previously unavailable speed and bandwidth economics, and will provide rural and remote Canadians a broadband connection that is truly fast and affordable.  Together with the planned launch of a second, similar 4G satellite in 2012 and with its national fixed-wireless 4G network, Xplornet will effectively end Canada's urban/rural digital-divide, once and for all.

For broadcast quality footage (b-roll) go to: http://cnw.pathfireondemand.com/viewpackage.action?packageid=490

"We recognized that satellite broadband needed to be faster and more affordable.  With this new 4G satellite service, Xplornet will offer satellite broadband service that is both" said John Maduri, Xplornet's Chief Executive Officer. ViaSat-1 will support customer download speeds of up to 25 Mbps, with more capacity than all current North American broadband satellites combined.  Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada's leading provider of rural broadband, has purchased 100% of the Canadian Ka-band capacity on the satellite, entirely for rural broadband use. Xplornet expects the satellite service to be available to Canadians late this year.

"This is an historic launch. The technology is revolutionary. Our investment of hundreds of millions in rural broadband infrastructure is unprecedented.  And Canada is now joining a group of other regions, like the UK, the US, andEurope, that have endorsed 4G satellite broadband as the solution for ensuring 100% access to affordable broadband." said Maduri.

"Most important though, is the impact this satellite is going to have on people.   I am proud to say that Xplornet has done what no other Canadian company could do, and what some people said that private industry would never do: make fast, affordable broadband available everywhere in Canada.  By 2012, every Canadian will be able to experience the transformative benefits of broadband." concluded Maduri.

This multi-million dollar investment in cutting-edge ground station technology will provide a high speed link to the Internet for a next generation, or 4G, high throughput satellite that will supply broadband for rural Canadians across the country. Satellite is the key to unlocking access to real broadband for rural Canadians, and ground stations like the one in St. John’s provide the terrestrial link for the high-capacity signal the satellites will receive and transmit. 

Gerry O’Reilly, Xplornet’s Chief Financial Officer commented on the announcement today, “We have invested in Newfoundland and Labrador because it offered us robust infrastructure to connect our ground station to the Internet, and its location worked with our national network design. This ground station is an integral part of our national 4G network, allowing us to create a better broadband experience for rural Canadians.”

Xplornet’s first 4G satellite will be launched in September of this year, and the service will be commercially available before year's end. A second 4G satellite is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2012. Xplornet, Canada’s leading rural broadband provider has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Canada to bridge the urban/rural broadband divide. “This ground station – and the network it will support - will be a game-changer for broadband in rural Canada. As a Newfoundlander myself, I’m proud to make Newfoundland and Labrador an important part of our technical and investment plans” concluded O’Reilly.

About Xplornet Communications Inc.
Headquartered in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Xplornet Communications Inc. (formerly Barrett Xplore Inc.) is Canada's leading rural broadband provider, with customers and dealers in every province and territory. Xplornet aims to bridge the urban/rural digital divide by ensuring that every Canadian, regardless of where they live, has access to broadband, thereby enabling them to compete effectively in the global economy and gain access to essential government and educational services.