Talk about fast — Intelsat S.A., a provider of fixed satellite services, today announced that within hours of the first customer request for assistance following the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti, Intelsat established two communication networks — one in C-band and one in Ku-band — to provide critical communication links.

The two networks, established via Intelsat’s satellite and terrestrial network infrastructure, including its GlobalConnexSM Network Broadband service, are supporting governments, non-governmental organizations, network service providers, media, telecommunication operators and humanitarian efforts countrywide.

Intelsat rapidly deployed broadband connectivity using its GlobalConnex Network Broadband service via capacity on its Intelsat 907 and Horizons 2 satellites, located at 332.5º E and 74º W respectively. These satellites are among 42 spacecraft within Intelsat’s global fleet of 55 that are enabled with GlobalConnex capabilities. For media customers, Intelsat was one of the first satellite operators with a dedicated team and a fly-away system in place at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, providing on-site coordination and transmission services.

“Natural disasters can leave countries feeling helpless when traditional communication infrastructure fails. The loss of contact with the outside world impedes obtaining the critical aid that is needed in the aftermath. Satellite communications is often the first communications technology to provide restoration following unfortunate events such as the Haitian earthquake. In some cases, our customers using satellite links never lose connectivity at all,” said Jay Yass, Intelsat's Vice President, Network Services. “Immediately after the first reports out of the Caribbean describing the devastation, we began mobilizing an Intelsat team focused on providing broadband connectivity to customers and relief agencies affected by this natural disaster. Intelsat has the expertise to respond quickly and effectively to such catastrophic events.”