Embratel launches Southern Cone coverage satellite

Brazilian telco Embratel, controlled by Mexico's América Movil (NYSE: AMX), is launching a new Star One C3 satellite from French Guiana aimed at increasing communications capacity in Brazil and Latin America, according to a release from Brazil's science, technology and innovation ministry (MCTI). Embratel's Star One company is responsible for the management of the satellite, which will replace the Brasilsat B3 satellite. The equipment was developed by US Orbital Sciences Corporation and is being deployed by global satellite launch firm Arianespace from a base in the city of Kourou in French Guiana. The satellite counts upon 28 transponders running on the C band, and 16 running on the Ku-band. The C band coverage reaches all of South America, while the Ku frequency covers Brazil and the Andean region. The launch took place this Friday (Nov 9) in the presence of Brazilian science and technology minister Marco Antonio Raupp. KA In related news, Brazil's telecoms regulator Anatel this week approved a set of rules for the exploration of geostationary satellites in the KA band of national coverage. According to Anatel, the rules are intended to help streamline the use of orbit and frequency resources, stimulating the expansion of telecoms services which will bring broadband coverage to regions where telecoms infrastructure is incipient. The KA band is already used for satellite operations in the US, Canada and Europe. In Brazil, a satellite operating in that frequency is expected to be launched next year.