Aitelecom/APCO Networks partners with Astranis and ST Engineering iDirect to deliver highly competitive enterprise and backhaul services across Mexico

Powerful MicroGEO satellites combined with groundbreaking Mx-DMA MRC waveform enable a new level of scale, agility and service experience

Herndon, VA., San Francisco, CA. and Merida, Mexico, March 16, 2023 – ST Engineering iDirect’s leading Mx-DMA® MRC waveform technology will enable Mexican connectivity service provider Aitelecom/APCO Networks (Aitelecom) to support services on its new MicroGEO satellites that will be built by satellite manufacturer, Astranis Space Technologies (Astranis). The satellites and ground infrastructure will deliver critical connectivity for 4G cellular backhaul and enterprise services across Mexico and part of Central America. Deployed on Aitelecom’s existing Dialog® platform, the services will be made available to hundreds of sites across the country and part of Central America.

This agreement further strengthens the long-standing relationship between ST Engineering iDirect and Aitelecom and creates a roadmap for the future which will see the companies evolve together to meet Aitelecom’s current and future requirements.

The demand for cellular backhaul services across Mexico has seen a major surge in recent years. In 2022, more than 74 percent of mobile phone users in Mexico accessed the internet through their mobile phone. By 2027, it is projected that this will rise to around 88 percent [1].

ST Engineering iDirect’s Mx-DMA MRC return technology and GTP acceleration was a critical consideration for Aitelecom as it will enable the company to serve a myriad of use cases in a single return link without making tradeoffs between speed, efficiency and scale. This also lowers their total cost of ownership, whilst minimizing network configuration complexity and creating flexible connectivity for all LTE/4G types of sites. Mx-DMA MRC will empower Aitelecom to scale its services while simplifying its operations, sharing capacity seamlessly and very efficiently amongst its user terminals, and satisfying the most demanding throughput requirements presented by its MNO and enterprise customers.

The MicroGEO satellites from U.S.-based Astranis are small and highly capable spacecraft that are designed and manufactured at a rapid pace in comparison with larger GEO satellites, and at a lower cost. The satellites are slated for launch in Q3 2024 and will enable Aitelecom to go to market rapidly, delivering high-speed, flexible services with advanced ground infrastructure to match.

“We are excited and motivated to take the next step in our company’s evolution towards a fully vertically integrated service provider controlling our own destiny in terms of capacity, technology and service delivery,” said Orlando Castillo, CEO of Aitelecom. “With ST Engineering iDirect´s Mx-DMA MRC as the focal technology, we are confident that service continuity, quality of service and unparalleled support will be paramount in the delivery of our solutions to our customers.”

“We are excited to partner with Aitelecom and ST Engineering iDirect to offer an end-to-end, managed service for our customers,” said Astranis Chief Commercial Officer, Doug Abts. “This offering will allow us to expand high-speed coverage throughout Mexico, offering a turnkey service for an affordable price.”

“The sheer flexibility of Mx-DMA MRC will enable Aitelcom to serve the burgeoning markets in Mexico and Central America in the most operationally and cost optimal manner,” said Darren Ludington, Regional Vice President, Americas at ST Engineering iDirect. “Extending our commitment and partnerships with Aitelecom allows them to augment their service delivery to reach new parts of the region.”

[1] Source: Statista

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About ST Engineering iDirect
ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. With over 40 years of delivering innovation focused on solving satellite’s most critical economic and technology challenges we are committed to shaping the future of how the world connects. The product portfolio, branded iDirect, represents the highest standards in performance, efficiency and reliability, making it possible for its customers to deliver the best satcom connectivity experience anywhere in the world. ST Engineering iDirect is a leader in key industries including mobility, broadcast and military/government. In 2007, iDirect Government was formed to better serve the U.S. government and defense communities. For more information visit www.idirect.net.

About Aitelecom/APCO Networks
We are a leading developer in satellite and terrestrial communication in Mexico. Our specialty “is connecting organizations anywhere in Mexico and Central America.”

We also offer administration of internet services that provide a high level of efficiency at low cost, promoting the use of technologies, providing knowledge to segments where technology has not reached and to communities that are difficult to access, as well as solutions for each case.

About Astranis
Astranis is building small, low-cost telecommunications satellites to connect the four billion people on Earth who currently do not have access to the internet. By owning and operating its satellites and offering them to customers as a turnkey solution, Astranis is able to provide bandwidth-as-a-service at a fraction of the cost of legacy providers, unlocking previously unreachable markets.

Media contacts:
Julie Bettinger
Vice President, Corporate Marketing
ST Engineering iDirect
Phone: (1) 703 648 8155
Email: jbettinger@idirect.net

Rula Malky
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
ST Engineering North America
Phone: (1) 571 771 0176
Email: Rula.malky@stengg.us

Plinio Rivera / Ricardo Belmonte
Corporate Marketing
Aitelecom S.A. de C.V
Phone: +(52) 999 9201200
Email: privera@aitelecom.net

Christian Keil
Chief of Staff
Astranis
Email: christian@astranis.com