Global communications company Viasat and Batelco, the leading digital solutions provider in Bahrain, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to engage in several regional business-to-business (B2B) service opportunities.
The non-binding MoU between Viasat and Batelco focuses on the potential commercialization and distribution of satellite broadband connectivity to businesses across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
It also addresses exploring other potential service opportunities including hybrid connectivity solutions combining satellite and terrestrial broadband for business continuity services; corporate local area network (LAN) extension services to remote offices using satellite broadband connectivity; and SD-WAN services to optimize the delivery of business applications over multiple access networks.
Other potential opportunities highlighted by the MoU include temporary satellite broadband connectivity for special projects, events or disaster relief efforts; mobile-to-mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) B2B applications; and the use of satellite connectivity for mobile backhaul to remote sites.
Viasat and Batelco seek to leverage satellite broadband capacity from Viasat's current satellite systems, with plans to evolve to the ViaSat-3 satellite platform once it is launched and operational.
Peter Langkilde, Viasat's general manager, Broadband Services, Europe, Middle East and Africa, explains, "By signing an MoU with Batelco, we can strategically explore various business synergies and collaborations with a proven market leader in the MENA region – ahead of the launch of our next-generation ViaSat-3 satellite constellation.”
In the first undertaking following the MoU the companies expect to implement a proof-of-concept trial within the next few months.
