Global communications company Intelsat is providing satellite capacity to support the first ever internet access to Grand Santi, French Guiana.

The internet access, which is installed in a local school for use as a learning aide, will be carried over by satellite for connection to the US internet backbone. The project is the pilot site for a programme which will eventually provide an Internet and telephone network across the territory. The programme to provide connectivity and build infrastructure in French Guiana will continue through the year, with several other locations being gradually added to the network, says an official release.

The internet access solution to the area is provided through 'Outremer Telecom' of Martinique, in conjunction with the 'Communaute des Communes de l'Ouest Guyanais' (CCOG), a grouping of counties in west French Guiana. The Intelsat 801 spacecraft at 328.5ºE will provide the satellite capacity for this network.

According to Outremer Telecom regional network manager, Frédéric Hayot there are very few satellite operators who can accommodate such a remote situation where the end users are virtually unreachable and lack the infrastructure needed to communicate with the rest of the world.

Intelsat Global Sales & Marketing Ltd. president, John Stanton, says that the internet solution that is being provided to French Guiana demonstrates not only the efficiencies that satellites can offer for remote locations, but also makes it possible to connect all the regions of the world.

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