MADRID – The Spanish government has awarded satellite operator Hispasat a contract to extend broadband connectivity to all rural areas, the Economy Ministry said on Tuesday.
Hispasat, owned by partly state-owned Spain’s grid operator Red Electrica de Espana, has been commissioned to deploy the infrastructure required to provide ultra-fast internet connection at a flat rate of 35 euros ($37.43) per month, the ministry said in a statement.
To cover the cost of installation and equipment needed, it is set to receive 76.3 million euros from the European Union’s “Next Generation EU” recovery funds.
“The aim of this programme … is to bring connectivity to 100% of rural, remote and sparsely populated areas throughout the country at an affordable price, closing the digital divide,” the ministry said.
Hispasat launched its geostationary Amazonas Nexus satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Monday from the U.S. Space Force station at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite is designed to enable high-speed internet connectivity on aircraft and ships.
Hispasat is the operating company for a number of Spanish communications satellites that cover the Americas, Europe and North Africa.
($1 = 0.9350 euros)
