Hughes Network and Facebook bring Wi-Fi Hotspots to rural Colombia

Contxto – Speaking of Facebook, earlier this month the company partnered with Hughes Network Systems to introduce new Wi-Fi hotspots across Colombia. Supported by Facebook’s Express Wi-Fi platform, this initiative will help merchants in rural areas to access the internet.

“Express Wi-Fi supports the Facebook Connectivity mission to bring more people online with faster internet,” said Paul Monte, the technical program manager at Facebook Express.

Pre-paid Wi-Fi service

Service providers and telecom companies in Colombia can help enable this network by joining the initiative. With this, SMEs from across the country will be able to offer high-speed internet to their customers. Even better, this will be on a prepaid basis through a Hughes Satellite Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).

Based on this, the Express Wi-Fi software provided by Facebook provides plenty of benefits to partners. Ranging from creating, improving or consolidating their Wi-Fi business offering, companies in rural Colombia have much to look forward to.  

According to SatelliteToday, Facebook seeks to join forces with service providers as well as operators. This way, it will be more capable of expanding the provision of speedy, inexpensive, not to mention safe internet access.

Besides improving the quality of life for citizens and entrepreneurs alike, it’ll also result in more entrepreneurial opportunities for Colombians.

“This combined Hughes and Facebook Wi-Fi solution makes it possible for small businesses in Colombia to monetize their own hotspots virtually anywhere, especially in places unserved or underserved by affordable internet access,” said Vinay Patel, senior director, International Division at Hughes. 

“We look forward to forging new relationships with service providers and integrators who want to join Hughes in supporting local communities throughout Colombia.”

As of now, Hughes customers have deployed over 32,000 satellite-enabled Community Wi-Fi hotspots in two Latin American countries. These include Brazil and Mexico. Outside of the region, it has also worked with partners in Russia as well as Indonesia. 

With these efforts, the company has been able to provide internet access to more than 25 million people worldwide. Its practicality involves the deployment of Wi-Fi even in rural areas with no wireline or wireless infrastructure. The solution’s only requirement is to be located within satellites footprint’s boundaries.

-VC