Yesterday the Satellites Latin American Congress 2011 began in Rio de Janeiro, organized by Converge Eventos. At the opening, Mauro Wajnberg, President of the International Society of Satellite Professionals (SSPI) and Manoel Almeida, President of the Brazilian Association of Satellite Companies (ABRASAT) highlighted the growth in satellite demand generated by HDTV services in 2011. "It's the best time of the sector in Brazil," they agreed.

Wajnberg pointed out the need to rethink the rules to fit the new environment generated by the advent of the Ka band. In this sense, Luiz Otávio Prates, president of the National Communications Union (SINDISAT), highlighted the the launch of  the satellite: Geoestacionario de Defensa y Comunicación scheduled for 2014, which involved an investment of US$ 384 million and will operate in the Ka-band to provide capacity to national networks and to the digital inclusion plan. Telebrás and the Ministry of Defence will be responsible for the project.

"The satellite industry has shown over the years that it is able to meet every need, both from the private sector as the public," said Almeida. The official stressed the importance of the government’s support in reducing taxes. "The government must give the initial impulse and then the private sector will expand it," he said.

Meanwhile, Prates of SINDISAT mentioned that there are 31 million Brazilians without access to the Internet and basic services such as landline. He pointed out that Internet penetration in rural areas is 2%. For these populations, located in the north and the Amazon, "the Brazilian satellite will be a key to access these services."