- AZCom utilises Ka-band HTS via six spot-beams to achieve 99.1–99.9% availability and deliver up to 60 Gbps capacity across the archipelago.
- The company is a partner of Kacific, providing affordable satellite broadband that supports disaster relief, education, healthcare and more.
AZ Communications network brings internet everywhere
AZ Communications Network, Inc.—commonly known as AZCom—offers High Throughput Satellite (HTS) connectivity across the Philippines, ensuring universal access to enhanced broadband at lower cost. By teaming with Kacific, AZCom utilises Ka-band technology and six spot-beams to blanket the archipelago with reliable service and achieve uptime between 99.1% and 99.9% . Gateway infrastructure in-country minimises latency, which, although still in the range of 550–600 ms typical for geostationary satellites, is becoming increasingly acceptable for key applications .
The firm claims up to 60 Gbps of satellite capacity coupled with affordable ground equipment, targeting both urban centres and remote communities. Its ambitions go beyond connectivity: public service drives AZCom’s mission, supporting disaster response, education and healthcare, in regions where terrestrial infrastructure remains scarce.
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AZ Communications in a changing industry
AZ Communications Network has emerged amid a rapidly evolving satellite-telecoms landscape. Industry-wide, HTS and LEO/MEO constellations are increasingly seen as vital to closing the digital divide. The Philippines—with over 7,000 islands—poses a uniquely complex logistical challenge for terrestrial internet. A recent space-industry report predicted that next-generation satellites will serve as the backbone for connecting two million unserved people across 5,000 rural communities.
Challenges in this field include managing high latency inherent to geostationary orbits, investing in robust ground systems, and navigating spectrum licensing. Nevertheless, innovations are accelerating: Ka-band utilisation, multi-spot beam designs, and software-defined networks are driving down cost and improving performance. LEO and MEO satellites are also entering the mix, promising further breakthroughs in latency and bandwidth.
Innovation and expansion: Ka-band advantage
Since launching in 2019, Kacific-1 has operated with Ka-band HTS payloads and an in-country gateway that enable AZCom to distribute satellite capacity effectively across the archipelago. Concentrated spot-beams allow high frequency reuse, boosting throughput and ensuring resilient bandwidth across the network. Affordability is central to AZCom’s proposition. The company combines satellite power with lean operations and costeffective terrestrial hardware to offer broadband at a “very low cost” relative to terrestrial or mobile networks. As a result, underserved rural schools, clinics and municipal services now gain reliable internet access for the first time.
