Kacific founder and CEO, Christian Patouraux has accepted the 2018 Better Satellite World Award at a ceremony in London in recognition of the company’s work in bringing affordable connectivity via next-generation satellites to South East Asia and the Pacific.

Issued by the Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), the award honours companies who use satellite systems to make the world “a more prosperous, healthier, better-educated, sustainable and inclusive home for humankind.”

“When I started Kacific, I wasn’t interested in following the status quo. By serving only narrow, lucrative telecoms segments, the status quo was leaving many populations behind and increasing the digital divide,” said Patouraux. “Kacific didn’t reinvent the wheel, but my team and I took advantage of innovative new space technology and operated a lean organisation to match the cost expectations of emerging markets.”

“The flagship project in our proof-of-concept service connects the Vanuatu Interisland Telemedicine and Learning Network. The Network has already saved the lives of a number of people in emergency situations, because of the speed with which outer island health clinics can contact the main hospitals and specialist doctors. So, we know that our satellite, Kacific1, will make a tangible difference to people’s lives. This service is just one of several community-based projects we are currently operating in Asia Pacific. We are honoured to receive this award ahead of 2019, when the services of our next-generation satellite commence,” said Patouraux.

Once launched in 2019, Kacific’s first satellite, Kacific1, will help connect more hospitals, clinics, schools, libraries, post offices, police stations and many other public institutions in rural areas where terrestrial broadband infrastructure is not an option or not economical.

The satellite beams will cover previously isolated or underserved regions of South Asia, South East Asia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, providing a channel for connectivity.