New Greek Satellites Aim to Increase Country’s Internet Speeds

A series of new Greek satellites from the company Hellas Sat will feature cutting-edge technology that may increase the country’s internet speeds, according to the company’s CEO.

Hellas Sat CEO Christodoulos Protopapas stated to AMNA that the satellites, which will be launched into the areas of space occupied by other Greek and Cypriot satellites, will feature “revolutionary technologies, satisfying the much higher demands for data transmission speeds and security in communications” in the country.

Greek satellites using cutting edge technology to increase Greek internet speeds

Greece is known for slower internet speeds, but the high-tech satellites could change that. The Hellas Sat 5 and 6 models will be “satellites with an innovative payload using optical telecommunications,” meaning that there will be a marked increase in both internet speed and security in Greece once they are launched.

The satellites were designed in collaboration with German firm OHB System AG, and they use laser beams to help improve telecommunication.

The new technology will bring internet speeds from 100Gbs to several thousand Gbs, a monumental increase in speed. “With two laser beams one could easily link two countries at high speed, something that will not be done with our familiar satellite ‘dishes’ but with optical means – telescopes,” Protopapas stated.

“We are entering a new generation of telecommunications…very importantly for national security – laser communication from a satellite at 36,000 kilometres cannot at that point be targeted by an enemy action nor disrupted by interference,” he continued.

Internet speeds in Greece–both at home and on mobile–are incredibly slow, as they trail the global average by six spots.

According to Speedtest Global Index, which compares international data speeds each month, Greece ranks 31st out of a total 138 countries ranked in terms of mobile data speed.

Greece fares even worse in terms of internet speeds, as it sits at the 91st spot out of a total 178 countries listed.

Starlink satellites may also improve internet

In addition to the cutting edge Hellas Sat satellites, Greece will also experience a boost in internet speed due to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites.

The Starlink project involves a fleet of flat-paneled broadband satellites flying over the Earth, which then beam down internet coverage to users who can access the service via a compact user terminal.

Nearly 2,000 SpaceX satellites have already been launched as part of Musks’ Starlink network, and the company hopes to send out around 10,000 more in the future.

Starlink has already launched the first part of its associated activities in Greece. A small group of users can already use its internet services. Soon, the Starlink internet hardware will be sent to those who have pre-ordered it.

The newcomer is expected to revolutionize the domestic internet market since the country currently ranks among the most expensive countries in Europe for internet provision, and a number of remote areas are even either completely cut-off or plagued by low connection speeds.