Eutelsat Communications has signed an agreement with TIM for wholesale capacity on the EUTELSAT KONNECT and KONNECT VHTS satellites enabling TIM to offer high-speed fixed broadband via satellite from January 2021.

TIM will purchase the entire Italian capacity on EUTELSAT KONNECT that started operations this month, as well as the vast majority of the capacity covering Italy on the follow-on satellite, KONNECT VHTS, once it enters service.

TIM will have exclusive rights for the distribution of satellite broadband in Italy on these satellites during the entire lifetime of the contract.

This multi-year agreement is expected to represent a total contract value of almost 150 million euros for Eutelsat.

It follows a similar contract with Orange in France for capacity on both satellites.

EUTELSAT KONNECT has a capacity of 75 Gbps and is able to assure full or partial coverage of up to 15 countries in Europe and 39 in Africa, offering speeds of up to 100 Mbps to both companies and individuals in the digital divide at competitive monthly rates.

The KONNECT VHTS satellite will embark the most powerful on-board digital processor ever put into orbit and provide 500 Gbps of Ka-Band capacity over Europe, yet further enhancing the service.

“This agreement represents another important step in our distribution strategy, enabling us to further secure the ramp-up of our latest capacity and ensuring 2021 is a turning point in Fixed Broadband,” Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of Eutelsat said.

Luigi Gubitosi, CEO of TIM, said: “This contract with Eutelsat will enable TIM to accelerate the deployment of high-speed broadband, even to the most remote areas, securing our commitment to reduce the digital divide throughout Italy.”