Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced the launch of Hughes Express Wi-Fi in Chile. Already available in more than 1,500 small towns and communities in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Perú, each Hughes Express Wi-Fi hotspot is powered by satellite connectivity from Hughes and Facebook Connectivity’s Express Wi-Fi platform. Merchants that participate bring much-needed, affordable Internet to their customers while generating increased foot traffic and a new stream of revenue.

“Before Hughes Express Wi-Fi service arrived at our business, we had virtually zero access to the Internet,” said Ciro Soto Lillo, a shop owner in the Chico River sector, Lakes Region, Chile, who installed one of the country’s first hotspots under the program. “Thanks to this platform, we can access services as diverse as social networks and electronic transfers. And we have more people interested in our business, with a 60% increase in new customers who are coming to use the Wi-Fi.”

“Service providers and telecommunications integrators in Chile can now join us in supporting local communities throughout the country,” said Vinay Patel, senior director, International Division at Hughes. “The combined Hughes and Facebook Wi-Fi solution is a powerful and affordable way to bring much-needed, high-speed Internet access to Chileans everywhere, even in places where cable, fiber and cellular service are unreliable or simply not available at all.”

“By combining Facebook Connectivity’s Express Wi-Fi platform and Hughes satellite Internet, Hughes has brought fast, affordable and reliable Internet over Wi-Fi to many network operators, local retailers and consumers across Latin America,” said Lester Benito García, Head of Connectivity and Access Policy (LATAM), Facebook. “AtFacebook Connectivity, our mission is to bring more people online to a faster internet, and we’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Hughes to Chile to increase Internet access for businesses and consumers in the country.”

Each Hughes Express Wi-Fi hotspot includes a compact and easy-to-install VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) for satellite Internet and Wi-Fi equipment that uses the Express Wi-Fi platform from Facebook Connectivity, which helps service providers build, operate, grow, and monetize their Wi-Fi business in a sustainable and scalable way.

Hughes and its customers have deployed over 42,000 satellite-enabled Community Wi-Fi hotspots in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and Russia, bringing the benefits of Internet access to more than 25 million people around the world. With a Community Wi-Fi hotspot, any user can access the Internet with a Wi-Fi capable handheld or laptop, either on a prepaid or government subsidized (USO) basis, depending on the service model. The solution can be readily deployed virtually anywhere within the satellite footprint, including areas unserved or underserved by wireline or wireless infrastructure.