2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Connecting what matters

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EMEA

HISPASAT signed an agreement with Eutelsat to strengthen its capacity aimed at bridging the digital divide in Spain and Portugal using the French operator’s Konnect satellite. HISPASAT thus guarantees immediate connectivity at 100 Mbps from any geographic location in both countries.

With this agreement, the company will market the entire capacity of the Eutelsat’s HTS satellite Konnect in the Ka band over Spain and Portugal. The goal of HISPASAT is to provide a universal wholesale service in the two countries. This will enable operators and service providers to offer 100 Mbps internet access to any home or company, wherever they are, thereby contributing to the European strategy to bridge the digital divide by 2025.

In the mobility sphere, HISPASAT improved its position in providing maritime connectivity and renewed the contract that provides connectivity to high-speed trains in Spain.

In the security and emergency market, HISPASAT renewed the contract to provide connectivity to unmanned aircraft and closed several projects to provide integrated services with transportable terminals in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Central and North America

In Mexico: rollout of the backhaul link network for rural LTE base stations under a turnkey model according to the agreements signed last year which has a scope of more than 700 base stations to be covered in upcoming years.

In 2021, HISPASAT won a tender from a federal government entity for the rollout and operation of 61 backhaul links for LTE base stations in rural populations, also using a turnkey model. The Mexican Government also contracted the supply of several thousand WiFi hotspots connected by satellite in small, ultra-rural towns. HISPASAT also participated in this project, providing the necessary satellite connectivity for 500 WiFi hotspots through local partners in order to promote commercial WiFi projects in parallel in small towns in Mexico and Guatemala.

In Honduras and the Dominican Republic, HISPASAT worked on projects aimed at bridging the digital divide with various government agencies implementing pilot projects in these regions.

In the United States, HISPASAT renewed and expanded the contract with Gilat to offer mobile backhaul services in United States through this multi-year and multi-transponder agreement. HISPASAT will provide mobile network extension services by means of the Amazonas 2 and 3 satellites for several of Gilat’s customers, like Southern Linc Wireless and other benchmark mobile network operators.

Latin America

In Brazil the company renewed the current capacity leasing contract ahead of schedule with one of the leading telecom operators for backhaul services and trunking in the C band of the Amazonas 3 and Hispasat 30W-6 satellites.

Capacity leasing has also significantly increased in the mobility and Oil & Gas markets.

In Colombia the company closed an agreement at the end of the year with one of the country’s leading telecom operators to supply managed connectivity in the Ka band of the Amazonas 5 satellite as part of the Digital Centres project promoted by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.

In Peru the company renewed contracts with a variety of operators and service providers for rural backhaul and corporate applications.

In Chile the company extended contracts with current customers and reached a new agreement with one of the leading telecom operators in the country to provide connectivity to rural schools as part of a project promoted by the Ministry of Education.

In Argentina the company continued advancing in the rollouts of mobile backhaul networks with two of the country’s leading operators, which increased the capacity contracted from HISPASAT in 2021, fundamentally in the company’s satellites in the 30º West position.

In Ecuador, HISPASAT reached an agreement with the government to implement a pilot digitalisation project in rural schools, as well as another tele-medicine pilot project in isolated, rural populations.

Ongoing satellite programmes

In 2021, the company continued working on the new satellite from the Amazonas Nexus fleet. Along these lines, it is worth noting that in June the Board of Directors of EXIM agreed to award HISPASAT funding for the 80.7-million-dollar project which will be dedicated to financing the launch service and the satellite launch insurance.

This is the first time that the American bank has financed a project in the satellite sector since 2015 and it is an example of the strong backing from the financial market for the Spanish operator and the Amazonas Nexus project.

The launch of the Amazonas Nexus satellite is scheduled for the end of 2022 on board a SpaceX launch.

The year’s highlights include the agreement signed with Tele Greenland, the national communications company of Greenland, to hire space capacity on the Amazonas Nexus satellite until the end of its useful life, which adds to the agreements reached with Gogo and clients in the government services sector.

The agreement will allow Tele Greenland to provide internet access services in all the cities and remote towns in the north and east of Greenland that can now rely on the satellite service. Through this capacity, other corporate services will be offered to mining companies and it can be used as a backup system to restore the communications services in cases of emergency. A powerful payload of 800 MHz in the Ku band, specially designed to provide coverage to Greenland, will be included in HISPASAT’s Amazonas Nexus satellite.

The mission, named Greensat, highlights the long-term strategic partnership established between the two companies in order to promote major improvements in Greenland’s most remote communities and reach 100% connectivity for Greenland’s population.

See video

Innovation

5G: HISPASAT is working hard on the 5G ecosystem in order to ensure that satellites are fully integrated into the rollout of this technology. These activities include the development of standard 5G through 3GPP, as well as participating in projects that highlight the value of satellites in the future network. One example of these projects is the 5Gmed project which aims to develop 5G infrastructure in the Mediterranean corridor between Barcelona and Perpignan for land- and rail-mobility. The Pilot 5G Red.es and DARWIN projects are other examples along these lines.

Rural/remote solutions: in 2021 HISPASAT worked on seeking and incorporating solutions based on satellite connectivity that will provide added value to rural and remote environments, including the digitalisation of primary sectors and municipal management. Along these lines, the company worked on a variety of pilot projects to validate these types of solutions in real environments and also showcased these applications to companies and institutions in its demo room in the Arganda del Rey satellite control centre.

Open Innovation / Innovation Ecosystem: HISPASAT also participated in innovation acceleration programmes that can carry out connection tests quickly and flexibly.

Cybersecurity: In 2021, HISPASAT worked in collaboration with internationally renowned Spanish companies and institutions on the proposal to develop the first quantum key distribution system through a geostationary satellite.

New infrastructure: the company worked as part of the Moonlight consortium of the European Space Agency on designing a space infrastructure to provide satellite communications and navigation services around the moon similar to those used on Earth, as well as defining a future satellite that incorporates the use of latest-generation secure communications.

Sustainability

In 2021, HISPASAT continued working on actions included in its Strategic Sustainability Plan, which is included within the Strategic Sustainability Plan of the Red Eléctrica Group (GRE), approved in June 2020. Sustainability continues to be a priority for HISPASAT. This concept is understood as responsible ethical management, based on personal and community development, and respect for the environment.

The main aim of its Plan is to help position HISPASAT as a responsible company that is committed to creating value in society.

Last October, the Board of Directors at HISPASAT accepted the new GRE policy map which includes the Sustainability policy that aims to establish its principles, orienting all activities toward responsible corporate management —focused on excellence and creating value for stakeholders—, and maximising its contribution in order to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Value creation through HISPASAT’s activity and services

Driving the spanish space agency

HISPASAT provides access to the international satellite telecommunications market. HISPASAT includes components manufactured in Spain in all its missions and allows Spanish companies to validate their new satellite equipment by hosting them on its satellites. Furthermore, the company promotes an industrial return programme that commits its manufacturers to continue investing in Spanish technology in the years after each of its satellites has been built. This has generated over €1 billion investment by the large international construction companies in Spain.

Broadcasting and promoting spanish content distribution services in latin america

Through HISPASAT’s acquisition of the signal management and transportation business of Media Networks Latin America which provides service to the main telecom and television operators in South America from the 61º W position, HISPASAT can reach millions of homes in the region.

Bridging the digital divide and access to the information society in areas the lack connection.

HISPASAT satellite services make it possible to extend connectivity to rural or remote areas where terrestrial networks do not reach or do not achieve 21st century quality levels. This allows for greater economic and social development in those places that can now access the Internet to carry out any economic, educational or cultural activities thanks to a satellite connection.

Improvements in information and communication technologies (ICT) bring with them responses to key social challenges. However, their unequal distribution runs the risk that the people and communities that cannot access them will lag even further behind, thus creating a digital divide.

HISPASAT manages a key technology concerning this problem. Satellites make it possible for Internet to reach anywhere on Earth, even those places where terrestrial networks do not reach. Accordingly, they have become a unique tool to bring the opportunities offered by ICTs anywhere in the world, reducing inequality and paving the way to social progress where infrastructure is lacking, making widespread, quality access to telecommunications services possible.

HISPASAT aspires to make its satellite service available to everyone. To the extent permitted by its activity, it seeks to contribute to universal access to ICTs. Moreover, HISPASAT aims to support initiatives and causes targeting the creation of social value.

Pilot project with the Spanish Postal Service: HISPASAT also began a pilot project with the Spanish Postal Service to provide satellite connectivity to their offices and solve their internet access difficulties. The pilot project is being implemented in six towns in the Spanish provinces of Zamora, Teruel and Soria. Satellite connectivity will allow these post offices to become more efficient and offer real-time administrative and management services, as well immediate bank transfers and tax payments.

Video Talk between the President of HISPASAT and the President of the Spanish Postal System #DigitalES2021

Pilot projects in rural Spain: HISPASAT is implementing a variety of projects to provide satellite connectivity in Catalonia (Lleida) and Castille-La Mancha (Guadalajara and Albacete). In the Basque Country (Aralar and Hondarribia) HISPASAT has implemented pilot Internet of Things projects via satellite in rural areas for activities linked to livestock rearing, municipal governance, forest fire prevention and fishing.

ARALAR + FISHING BOAT Vídeo: Driving the digitalisation of the rural world through satellite IoT

Conéctate (Get Connected) Initiative: HISPASAT has launched its new rural broadband product by satellite of up to 100 Mbps, aimed at bridging the digital divide in Spain. This is a neutral and open wholesale service that every telecom operator in the country can include in their offerings to be able to provide an immediate high-quality internet service. Thanks to its powerful capacity over Spain, the operator guarantees immediate access of up to 100 Mbps and provides a response today to the goal of universal connectivity set forth in the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

HISPASAT’s social action in projects to help the community

Connectivity and remote education by satellite in Honduras

After the disasters caused by hurricanes Eta and Iota, HISPASAT transferred WiFi satellite terminals, satellite capacity and a remote education solution to 15 schools and rural communities located in different departments in the country. In disasters like these where thousands of students were left without internet access, satellite technology is a key tool to contribute to re-establishing communications as it does not depend on land-based infrastructures and is not affected by natural disasters.

Remote education and tele-medicine in Ecuador

HISPASAT is collaborating with the government of Ecuador in bridging the digital divide in the country with two pilot remote education and tele-medicine projects via satellite: HISPASAT has donated a complete digital classroom and satellite broadband solution that will benefit more than 400 students in five schools located in remote parts of the country. HISPASAT has also reached an agreement with the Ecuadorian government to donate a tele-medicine service via satellite to provide remote primary health care

Video: HISPASAT collaborates with the Ecuadorian government on two remote education and tele-medicine projects

Agreement with the UN

HISPASAT has had an agreement with the United Nations since 2015 to provide satellite capacity and terminals to restore communications in natural disasters and emergencies, thereby assisting in the rescue and reconstruction tasks carried out by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations agency in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid. The agreement, promoted by the EMEA Satellite Operator’s Association (ESOA) and Global VSAT Forum (GVF), guarantees that HISPASAT and the other participating operators will provide full operational capacity by means of their satellite networks to the point of reception. The solution also includes ground equipment and reception terminals and the requisite training to those in charge of first intervention actions in natural disasters, so they are able to deploy the communication solutions successfully.

Agreement with OPEN Arms

HISPASAT is providing satellite communications free of charge to the ships of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Proactiva Open Arms. The satellite operator hands over managed space capacity so that the NGO’s boats, the Open Arms and the Astral, can have satellite Internet access when carrying out lifesaving work in the Mediterranean, helping people who are trying to reach Europe to escape war or hardships in their countries of origin. The service is provided via the satellites Hispasat 30W-5 and Hispasat 30W-6, located at 30° West, whose coverage over the Mediterranean is ideal for this type of scenario.

Barcelona’s Gran Teatre Liceu

HISPASAT collaborates in broadcasting features from the Liceu de Barcelona in order to bring opera closer to the people and to share their cultural activities.

Fundación Estudiantes (Student Foundation)

HISPASAT sponsors “EstuCamp”, the bilingual training camp for young wheelchair basketball players and works with the foundation and the Madrid Spina Bifida Association to promote the EstuAMEB wheelchair basketball school. This school makes it possible for young disabled boys and girls to play basketball and encourages their integration and normalisation. It helps to develop their game and psychomotor abilities as well as their social and educational skills.

Fundación Atresmedia

The operator broadcasts the FAN3 channel that the foundation screens for children in hospital.

Summer Courses at El Escorial (UCM)

HISPASAT collaborated with Complutense University, providing the technological solution that allows television signals to be transmitted via a satellite link. This service can be used by news and TV programmes that wish to send up-to-date course images and news made and distributed by the Complutense University production company (UCMTV).

UNHCR

As part of the customer satisfaction questionnaire, HISPASAT signed an agreement through which the company donates €2 for each survey conducted in the “Afghanistan Emergency” programme of the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

Food Bank

HISPASAT participated in the Kilo Operation of the Food Bank collecting 1,526 kg.

Environment

The environmental impact of HISPASAT’s activities on the surroundings is limited. Its main assets – the satellites – are located in space, 36,786 km from Earth and basically work using solar energy. The satellites only use chemical fuels to reach their definitive orbital position from the transfer orbit (except in the case of satellites with fully electric propulsion) and, once there, to make manoeuvres to correct their position that are necessary to keep the satellites in place. Also, when the useful life of the satellite reaches its end, the company follows the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee recommendations for properly maintaining the geostationary orbit, it is sent to the “graveyard orbit”, located 300 km above that.

Even so, HISPASAT has implemented steps to improve its environmental performance and reduce its carbon footprint. During 2021, HISPASAT has worked on obtaining licences to install a photovoltaic plant at its Arganda del Rey (Madrid) satellite control centre. This is expected to provide 26% of the energy needed for the centre to operate. It will provide an annual output of around 782,000 kW and accumulated savings of 1.5 million euros throughout the plant’s life, along with an important reduction in the environmental impact generated by the company’s activity.

Forums and Associations

Spanish Secretariat of State for the Information Society and Digital Agenda

HISPASAT collaborates bilaterally and by participating in preparatory multilateral meetings for international conferences and forums that affect the company. In 2021 HISPASAT worked on preparing shared positions for the agenda points of the 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference.

National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL)

In Brazil, the company participated in sessions of the Rapporteur group on Radiocommunication 2 – Satellite services (GRR2), organised by the Agency and the work related with rolling our new mobile services and their involvement in the satellite.

International Telecommunications Agency (ITU)

HISPASAT took part in the ITU Council, which constitutes the highest body of the organisation, as a guest of the Spanish government and as a member of the radiocommunications sector and a satellite operator governed by Spanish law, and in working groups organised by the body.

Inter-American Telecommunications Agency (CITEL)

HISPASAT participates in the Radiocommunications Committee (including radio broadcasting) PCC-II.

European Conference on Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)

HISPASAT participates in the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) and in the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) and its working groups.

Inter-American Association of Telecommunications Agency (ASIET)

As an associate member of the Council, HISPASAT participates primarily in the General Assembly, the Governing Board, Regulatory Commission and operators’ meetings.

European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA)

The company collaborated on Council activities and in the association’s working groups, as well as at meetings with the European Commission.

National Union of Satellite Communication Companies of Brazil (SINDISAT)

Through HISPAMAR, HISPASAT actively participates in the working groups that, among other activities, establish joint commentary on ANATEL’s public consultations.

Brazilian Association of Satellite Companies (ABRASAT)

HISPAMAR is part of the Association’s management and participates in its activities.

Global VSAT Forum (GVF)

This forum comprises the main members of the satellite communications industry

Madrid Aerospace Cluster

HISPASAT is a partner of this cluster, which features more than 50 innovative companies in the sector.

European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)

HISPASAT attends the meetings of this institute, which is responsible for drawing up global standards related to information technology and communication.

Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)

The company participates in order to promote internationally accepted TV standards.

Space Data Association

HISPASAT is a member of this association that controls the safety and integrity of the space environment and the radio frequency spectrum.

Spanish Defence, Aeronautical and Space Association (TEDAE)

HISPASAT is an association member and forms part of the Space Commission.

UHD ALLIANCE

HISPASAT’s participation in the Association’s activities

Official School of Telecommunications Engineering (COIT)

HISPASAT participated in the awards ceremony for young engineers that the Official School of Telecommunications Engineers awards to the best doctoral and bachelor’s theses, while also sponsoring two of the awards.

National Federation of Telecommunications Facilities and Integrators (FENITEL)

HISPASAT took part in the Assembly that the Federation organises on an annual basis.

Brazilian Telecommunications Association (TELEBRASIL)

HISPAMAR is a member of the association, which brings together operators and service providers in the communication and information industry to defend their rights and growth.

Gradiant Foundation

HISPASAT is a collaborating partner in the Gradiant Foundation, a private technology centre that brings together universities and companies from the ICT sector and works on R&D and technology transfer projects in the field of connectivity, intelligence and security to promote industrial development.

DigitalES

HISPASAT is a member of DigitalES, an association that helps Spanish companies during the digital transformation process, thanks to the experience of leading companies that offer these services.

CEAPI

HISPASAT is a member of CEAPI, a business council made up of 140 CEOs of the largest Ibero-American companies that are committed to strengthening the network of relationships and the business space.

WOMEN IN AEROESPACE

HISPASAT joined the Women in Aerospace (WIA) association which is dedicated to improving the leadership skills and visibility of women in the aerospace community.

POWER TO CODE

HISPASAT signed a collaboration agreement with this non-profit organisation which aims to provide greater access to STEM fields to young girls, teenagers and women in order to bridge the gender gap in these fields.