Pakistan gets its first Satellite Broadband IP Hub
By Samina Qureshi 'Pakistan Times' Sindh Bureau Chief

KARACHI: Comstar ISA Ltd, the leading satellite service provider in Pakistan, here on Friday announced the completion of the installation, testing and commissioning phase of the Infosat 5IF Satellite Broadband Hub.

The Hub is now commercially available to users throughout the country - Putting Pakistan on the Satellite Broadband Map.

The Infosat I-Direct Hub has been installed in the country with collaboration of Infosat Communications. Infosat is a Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) subsidiary and the largest Broadband Satellite Operator in Canada.

With the commissioning of the Hub Infosat completed the first phase of its investment in Comstar and formally took control of 22% shareholding in Comstar ISA Ltd. This is first of its kind investment by a Satellite Services Company in Pakistan.

Sami Bajwa CEO and President of Comstar speaking on the occasion said since the signing of the agreement between Comstar and Infosat in February 2006 it has taken only eight months to complete the financial and legal work, train our Human Resource, import, install and commission the country’s first true Broadband Hub and make it commercially available.

He reiterated that “Infosat Connect” services are being launched in Pakistan with the aim to offer the same level of service that customers in North America have been accustomed to.

“For the first time in Pakistan the customers will have the choice to choose the service to fit their needs and not the other way around”, he said mentioning that local customers, with a capacity of hundreds of Megabits, will have an option to select from five different satellites in C-band or Ku-band.

CEO and President of Comstar- Pakistan further claimed that unparalleled reliability, small 1.2m cost effective remotes, minimal latency and a multi-function modem has made the service a wish list of any corporate customer.

Bajwa also maintained that starting the operations back in 1996, he always believed in the potential of Pakistan and was equally excited to have a long-term partner who also shares the vision.

“Along the road we also managed to sign long term contracts with several corporate customers even before the hub was commissioned,” he said.

John Robertson, President and CEO of Infosat Communication said Infosat’s substantial investment in Pakistan both in terms of Equipment and Human Resource proves his organizations commitment to Pakistan.

“We are here to stay for the long term”, he said.

Expressing his excitement on completion of the first phase of partnership with Comstar in Pakistan he also appreciated the way things have been moving so far.

Carey Healey Senior Vice President and General Manager of Infosat Communications said, “Over the last couple of years we have gone through tremendous growth in Canada and have expanded our operations to the USA, Europe, Africa and now to Pakistan”.

It’s always a challenge to explore new markets and new frontiers however this is made much easier working with such a strong partner as Comstar”, he added.

Healey said he wanted to ensure his company’s full commitment towards this venture, adding that the organization was coming to this market with aggressive plans based on our solid experience of the last 10 years and the great potential, which Pakistan has to offer.●