MEASAT Satellite Systems has announced that customers on the AFRICASAT-1a satellite will now be able to benefit from additional cost savings given the successful test of 64APSK modulation on the satellite's high-powered pan-African beam.

The tests were conducted with the NovelSat NS3000 Professional High-Data Rate Satellite Modem running NovelSat NS3 technology.

The use of NovelSat NS3 technology on the AFRICASAT-1a satellite enabled an increase in spectral efficiency levels by between 20% and 50%. Higher spectral efficiency allows more bits per Hertz, leading to higher bandwidth thus reducing costs.

The key application areas that will benefit are multiplexed IP trunking and voice backhauls for mobile operators and point-to-point IP transit for Internet Service Providers.

"In regions where satellite capacity is still growing, bandwidth efficiency is key," said Dan Peleg, Vice President of R and D, NovelSat. "NovelSat is privileged to work with MEASAT toward advancing the development of the African satellite data market."

"MEASAT is delighted that AFRICASAT-1a is proven to support the industry's highest modulation standards," said Raj Malik, Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing, MEASAT.

"AFRICASAT-1a customers can now look forward to improved spectral efficiencies, lower costs and more value to end customers."

AFRICASAT-1a was launched in February 2013 and provides high-powered C-band satellite services and content across Africa with connectivity into Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.