Globecomm Receives First "Better Satellite World" Award in London

HAUPPAUGE, NY--(Marketwired - Dec 14, 2015) - The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) presented Globecomm with one of four awards at the first Better Satellite World Awards in London. The event took place before 120 senior leaders in the United Kingdom's satellite community at the prestigious Reform Club.

The award honors companies and disruptive innovators who make the world a more prosperous, healthier, better-educated and sustainable home. Globecomm's use of satellite to design and complete the Afghan Villages Network project, was cited as an example of what satellites do for humankind. Globecomm, along with Inmarsat, Emergency.lu, a project of SES and the government of Luxembourg and journalist, Peter B. de Selding, the Paris bureau chief for SpaceNews, were the four recipients honored.

"We believe that our ability to connect people and even nations with advanced telecommunication's networks via satellite can truly transform the way people live, work and innovate," said Globecomm CEO Keith Hall. "We accept this award on behalf of our colleagues in Afghanistan, and are humbled and honored to be recognized by SSPI and the international satellite community this way."

Afghanistan Village Networks
 Beginning in 2004, Globecomm began providing satellite and terrestrial services to build a much-needed communications infrastructure in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Although Afghanistan's Communications Minister was given a visionary of the year award in 2007 for the work, the project has been largely "a quiet success" in one of the most challenging political environments in the world; a place many see as irreparable.

Afghan Telecom and Globecomm developed the Village Communication Network (VCN) to provide communication access for the Afghani people in isolated regions where network communication reach was either unstable or non-existent. In seven years, the network grew from fewer than 200 sites to over 1,000. Before the existence of the VCN Network, most villagers living in Afghanistan's remote locations had to travel as many as three days to get to the nearest telephone or go to nearby Pakistan. Now, with the existence of solar powered VCN remote terminals they have connectivity in their own villages. 

This local network followed Globecomm's successful implementation of a government communications network as well as a district communications network which pushed services into rural areas. These networks were the backbone leading to the nation's first national vote, the presence of new Internet cafes, much-needed lower mobile carrier costs and the connection of 42 government ministries which enhanced public services. This has led to more effectively managed communication with citizens. 

"While the world does not need another awards program, it does need to be aware of the satellite industry and the amazing stories it has to tell," said SSPI's director of development Louis Zacharilla, who emceed the London program. SSPI added that Globecomm's work in Afghanistan has had an impact and helps the nation position itself for the day when it can fully participate in the global economy. 

Recipients of the Better Satellite World Awards were evaluated in the categories of global or regional impact; distribution of knowledge for the improvement of living standards; governance and commerce; and communication and humanity. The selections were made by an international jury consisting of members of the SSPI Satellite Industry Hall of Fame and other industry professionals.

For more information about the global campaign and the other recipients, visit: www.sspi.org and www.bettersatelliteworld.com.

About Globecomm
Globecomm www.globecomm.com is a leading global data management and managed services provider, offering wireline, wireless and satellite solutions that address the needs of industrial, commercial, media and government markets in over 80 countries. The company employs technology expertise to help customers solve mission-critical problems for Industrial IoT, consulting services, system design and integration, maritime and mobile communications, media services, data analytics and networking. 

Based in Hauppauge, New York, Globecomm maintains offices in the USA, the Netherlands, South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Indonesia.