HISPASAT, Grupo Red Eléctrica's communications satellite operator, has begun a pilot project with Correos to give satellite connectivity to certain offices located in places where Internet access is problematic. The pilot will initially be run in six locations - three in Zamora (Santa Cristina de la Polvorosa, Fermoselle and Coreses), two in Teruel (Valdealgolfa and Mosqueruela) and one in Soria (Duruelo de la Sierra) - and may be rolled out to the company's other rural service points that have connectivity issues.
Thanks to satellite connectivity, the offices in question will be able to join Correos' computer network and, by doing so, improve their efficiency and agility and increase their service offering. On the one hand, all receipts and deliveries of correspondence and packages will be registered in a system that makes it easier to identify and track shipments. On the other hand, being connected to the branch network will boost "real time" operations such as instant money transfers, sending money abroad, paying energy company bills, topping up prepaid cards, DGT operations (General Directorate of Traffic) and withdrawals from and deposits into Banco Santander accounts.
Getting these offices computerized will enable them to offer postal and package services as well as bringing public administrations closer to rural areas. Satellite connectivity will give citizens who live in these places better access to public administrations that are part of the Virtual Registry Office (ORVE) and they will be able to pay their taxes, access financial services through Correos Cash, buy DGT badges and other products and services.
This initiative is an example of the many ways in which HISPASAT satellites can help to reduce the digital divide in Spain by ensuring that all areas have connectivity, including those that do not have other infrastructures. The operator has universal coverage over 100% of the country, which makes it possible to provide connectivity to any geographical location and therefore promote digitisation in remote areas. This supports the backbone of society and helps guarantee digitisation without leaving anyone behind. Digital connectivity allows the rural world to access a wide variety of solutions, such as high-speed broadband and the digitisation of universal rights such as education and health, and it facilitates the development of industries such as agri-food and forestry, as well as access to public administrations, meaning that rural citizens are not forced to travel and making it easier for them to carry out certain formalities.
This initiative is one more step in Hispasat's transformation process, which is detailed in the 2020-25 Strategic Plan and is aimed at giving greater relevance to data transmission and value-added services.
Related Articles:
EXIM Bank Approves US$ 80.7 million financing for HISPASAT’s Amazonas Nexus Project
HISPASAT Takes Over Media Networks Latin America’s Management and Signal Transport Business
