THE Asian Development Bank (ADB)-backed satellite, Kacific1, launched Tuesday with the aim of connecting people in remote areas to the internet, including the Philippines.
ADB provided a $50-million loan to the Kacific Broadband Satellites International Ltd. (Kacific) for its Kacific1 satellite that was meant to provide affordable and high-speed internet to more than two billion people in the Asia-Pacific region, especially those in remote areas.
The satellite is targeted to enter operations early next year.
“Remote and rural communities are typically beyond the reach of traditional fiber optics as terrestrial distribution and infrastructure takes time to build and is expensive. Kacific1 will cover these communities in Pacific island nations and in archipelagic countries like Indonesia and the Philippines,” the Manila-based lender said in a statement Wednesday.
Launched by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, ADB said the satellite has an estimated service life of 15 years and orbit above the region, delivering signal and internet access to areas that cannot be reached through traditional infrastructure.
“Satellite internet services, like those that will be provided by Kacific1, are very effective in reaching the last mile of internet access, connecting remote areas that would otherwise remain isolated and lacking crucial services that can improve livelihoods and incomes,” said Jackie B. Surtani, ADB’s infrastructure finance division director for Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Pacific.
In an earlier statement, ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations Michael Barrow said access to reliable and high-speed internet will likely provide better education services, attract investments, reduce development gaps between rural and urban areas and enhance trade and connectivity. — Beatrice M. Laforga
