Hughes Launches Wi-Fi
Hotspots in Chile In Partnership with Facebook
Connectivity
January 8, 2021
Hughes Network Systems, LLC
announced the launch of Hughes Express Wi-Fi in
Chile. Already available in more than 1,500
small towns and communities in Brazil, Colombia,
Mexico and Perú, each Hughes Express Wi-Fi
hotspot is powered by satellite connectivity
from Hughes and Facebook Connectivity’s Express
Wi-Fi platform. Merchants that participate bring
much-needed, affordable Internet to their
customers while generating increased foot
traffic and a new stream of revenue.
“Before Hughes Express
Wi-Fi service arrived at our business, we had
virtually zero access to the Internet,” said
Ciro Soto Lillo, a shop owner in the Chico River
sector, Lakes Region, Chile, who installed one
of the country’s first hotspots under the
program. “Thanks to this platform, we can access
services as diverse as social networks and
electronic transfers. And we have more people
interested in our business, with a 60% increase
in new customers who are coming to use the
Wi-Fi.”
“Service providers and
telecommunications integrators in Chile can now
join us in supporting local communities
throughout the country,” said Vinay Patel,
senior director, International Division at
Hughes. “The combined Hughes and Facebook Wi-Fi
solution is a powerful and affordable way to
bring much-needed, high-speed Internet access to
Chileans everywhere, even in places where cable,
fiber and cellular service are unreliable or
simply not available at all.”
“By combining Facebook
Connectivity’s Express Wi-Fi platform and Hughes
satellite Internet, Hughes has brought fast,
affordable and reliable Internet over Wi-Fi to
many network operators, local retailers and
consumers across Latin America,” said Lester
Benito García, Head of Connectivity and Access
Policy (LATAM), Facebook. “At
Each Hughes Express Wi-Fi
hotspot includes a compact and easy-to-install
VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) for
satellite Internet and Wi-Fi equipment that uses
the Express Wi-Fi platform from Facebook
Connectivity, which helps service providers
build, operate, grow, and monetize their Wi-Fi
business in a sustainable and scalable way.
Hughes and its customers
have deployed over 42,000 satellite-enabled
Community Wi-Fi hotspots in Brazil, Colombia,
Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and Russia,
bringing the benefits of Internet access to more
than 25 million people around the world. With a
Community Wi-Fi hotspot, any user can access the
Internet with a Wi-Fi capable handheld or
laptop, either on a prepaid or government
subsidized (USO) basis, depending on the service
model. The solution can be readily deployed
virtually anywhere within the satellite
footprint, including areas unserved or
underserved by wireline or wireless
infrastructure.