MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), the global service provider of communications, connectivity and content services to remote locations around the world, today announced the opening of a new European satellite teleport in Santander, Spain. The teleport is a joint venture between MTN and ERZIA Technologies S.L. (ERZIA).

“Through MTN’s reliable global network, we are now poised to offer customers the best VSAT solutions in the market,” said Luis Garcia, managing director, ERZIA. “This venture marks a significant milestone in our growing relationship with MTN.”

The teleport will serve as a centralized gateway for MTN’s VSAT communications with coverage over the Americas, Europe, and Asia. It will be one of the first in the world to provide C- and Ku-band commercial service as well as secure X-band service for government customers at a single location, according to Richard Hadsall, chief technology officer, MTN.

“The Santander teleport will provide a significant improvement in network efficiency, reliability, and customer service augmenting our worldwide infrastructure of redundant teleports and dedicated fiber optic links,” said Hadsall. “It will have a fully manned 24/7 network operations center providing European time zone coverage and local language operators.”

Garcia noted that, as part of the joint venture, ERZIA is also establishing a service center and spare parts depot at Santander to provide shipboard technical support and maintenance for the growing number of MTN-equipped cruise ships visiting the port.

“Santander is becoming one of the most popular destinations on the Bay of Biscay with at least 10 cruise ships planning port visits this summer,” Garcia said. “In addition to providing prompt shipboard service for these ships, we will also be able to distribute spares from our inventory quickly to cruise ports in the Mediterranean as needed.”