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All the latest news from AST across the globe. Browse our comprehensive archive of articles by Sector or Solution to read about our latest projects, charity stories, news, products and solutions.

February 2019, global satellite solutions and projects company, The AST Group (AST), is delighted to announce the first-ever commercial installation of Iridium Certus with their long-term partner Alphatron onboard Oceanwide Expeditions ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’.

The vessel, originally built as a herring lugger in the last century, is now used for cruise expeditions in the polar regions. With up to 33 excited passengers on-board at one time, the vessel uses large amounts of data, with e-mails and photographs of local wildlife and scenery being sent home and posted on social media. During a recent upgrade of communications, Iridium Certus was, of course, the ideal choice, offering faster speeds and reliable coverage in these remote polar regions, enhancing their unique experience.

Dennis Winterswijk, Business Unit Manager ITAV & Communication at Alphatron Marine commented, ‘We are proud to be part of the world’s first commercial Certus installation with our valued customer Oceanwide Marine Services. Certus is delivered to the vessel via a Cobham 4300 terminal and provides guests onboard the possibility to share their Arctic cruise experience with friends and family. The service has been running smoothly since installation and has resulted in a full roll-out of Iridium Certus on all vessels in their fleet.’

AST offers so much more than the Certus service alone, their proposition includes real-time application control (INTEGRA Control), tracking (IRIS) and access to their experienced 24/7 manned customer support team. Mark Sykes, AST Director said ‘We see the great partnership between our team and our partners as a key component in the successful launch (and world’s first commercial connection) of Iridium Certus. Our partner Alphatron is a sophisticated maritime organisation who really understands the compelling value that AST adds to the Certus proposition – the resulting AST/Alphatron service is so much more than just airtime and a terminal, and that’s exactly what the market tells us is needed.’

This announcement shortly follows on from the first-ever commercial call which was made between Bryan Hartin, Iridium’s Executive Vice-President of Sales & Marketing & Mark Sykes on the 16th January 2019\. During the call, Bryan spoke with Mark stating ‘The combination of your value-added services with our speeds is a great combination for Iridium Certus!’

To find out more about the AST proposition and current Certus promotions please visit **[our promotions page](https://www.theastgroup.com/global/packages-promotions/).**

**About the AST Group**

The AST Group is a leading innovator in remote communication solutions. 

The AST Group maintains presence globally, with offices serving both end-users and channel partners in Europe, Africa, The Americas, Asia and Australia and has a proven track record in delivering high profile projects in a variety of markets sectors.

Along with local engineers and experienced sales staff, The AST Group offer unbiased advice to ensure customers receive the right communication solution to meet their business needs. The AST Group also provide a manned 24/7 Global Customer Support service to ensure continuity of service and reliable assistance from fully qualified personnel.

The AST Group operates a Quality Management System that meets the requirements of ISO 9001 to ensure that quality standards are constantly met and improved and ISO 14001, an internationally accepted standard awarded to companies that can demonstrate a proven Environmental Management System.

2/6/2019

Polar

Offshore Energy

Commercial Shipping

AST announce the first-ever commercial installation of Iridium Certus with their partner Alphatron onboard Oceanwide Expeditions ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’.

AST leads the way with very first Iridium Certus commercial activation

M2M Terminal Management

INTEGRA Comms & Bandwidth Management

Graphic of orange globe wireframe over the ocean at sundown with a ship in the water

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AST Director, Mark Sykes makes first commercial Iridium Certus call

During the call Director, Mark Sykes comments, “I’m delighted to be making the first commercial call and sending the first email from the Certus terminal. I must say, the industry-leading voice quality sounds amazing, couple that with the truly first-class experience we’ve had with data in beta testing, we’re very excited about Certus’s market prospects.”

The call coincides on the same day Iridium announced the commercial launch of its [Iridium Certus ](https://www.theastgroup.com/global/services/networks/iridium-certus-ast/)broadband service, the first new capability activated from the company’s $3 billion Iridium NEXT satellite replacement program.

**Please see highlights from Iridium’s official press release below:** 

Iridium Certus is a unique platform designed for the development of speciality applications and is the world's only truly global broadband service, offering on-the-move internet and high-quality voice access. The service enables mobile office functionality for deployed teams and two-way remote communication for assets, autonomous vehicles, trains, aircraft and ships at sea. This also includes safety-of-life services, where Iridium Certus is uniquely suited for the critical communications needs of teams operating beyond the reach of cellular coverage, including first responders and search and rescue organizations. This announcement marks the end of an extensive global testing phase, including beta trials with live customers; the initial service is targeted at maritime and terrestrial applications, with Iridium Certus aviation solutions expected later in 2019, once certified.

"The debut of Iridium Certus is the start of a new chapter in the Iridium story, one that is set to catapult us and our partners forward. At its core, Iridium Certus is an innovation engine for the future. It will enable us to provide broadband connections to teams, vehicles and the important IoT "things" that are in the 80-plus per cent of the world that lacks cellular coverage," said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. "Adoption of this new service by our partners has already begun, and it has been eagerly anticipated by every target industry. The launch of this service is a huge achievement, and it is already disrupting the status-quo through our smaller, faster, lighter and more cost-effective terminals and service."

Iridium Certus addresses the needs of satellite communications users with a robust suite of solutions for maritime, land mobile, aviation, government and IoT applications. Now that the service is available, mariners will, for the first time, have a more competitive range of choices when evaluating connectivity solutions for vessels of any size, supporting the digitalization of shipping and the autonomous vessel movement. Land-mobile users will be able to connect vehicles and assets "on-the-move" anywhere on the planet, with customizable hardware and solutions that can switch from cellular to satellite connectivity as needed to help manage costs. Upon terminal availability later in 2019, aviation users will gain access to Iridium Certus solutions that support a range of capabilities for aircraft, including business jet cabin connectivity for mobile office functions. Future flight deck applications will help advance efforts toward adopting Satcom as a primary means of aircraft communications.

Iridium is debuting the service, which will feature a variety of speed classes, with the Iridium Certus 350 (352/352 Kbps) offering, which supports capabilities like the internet and high-quality voice services to compact terminals built specifically for maritime, aviation and terrestrial/vehicle applications. Terminals will be upgradable to the next speed class, Iridium Certus 700 (352/704 Kbps), with a firmware update once available. Initial activations of the service occurred in December of 2018 with excellent system performance.

1/16/2019

Workboats

Ports

Commercial Fishing 

AST makes the first Iridium Certus commercial call to Iridium’s Executive Vice-President of Sales & Marketing.

Crew Welfare

Maritime Connectivity

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"This is an exciting time for the [Applied Satellite Technology US team](https://www.theastgroup.com/locations) and marks a major milestone since opening our office in 2011. Larger facilities, including secure storage space, will allow us to hold more inventory, ensuring we are best placed to provide immediate availability for our customers and even faster dispatch times” said AST Founder and Managing Director, [Gregory Darling](https://www.theastgroup.com/leadership-team). He continued, “increased office space, will also enhance both technical support and training facilities to assist our customers”

The move reflects AST’s success in growing its business in North and South America as well as its ambitious goals for the future as new innovative products and solutions are launched by the company.

Philip Sexton has also joined the team at AST US as Senior Account Executive and will be based in Bradenton, Florida. He comes with over 10 years’ experience in the satellite communications industry and will be focusing on developing new relationships in the [commercial maritime market](https://www.theastgroup.com/sectors/commercial-shipping), promoting AST’s current portfolio of [Ku, Ka, and L band](https://www.theastgroup.com/en/services/thuraya-satellite-services) maritime services, [equipment](https://www.theastgroup.com/products?sector=&solution=2) and [value-added maritime software solutions](https://www.theastgroup.com/solutions/comms-and-bandwidth-management).

Robert Lorenzana, Chief Executive Officer of AST US said; “We are excited that Philip has joined our team. His presence in the region will allow us to further grow our market share by demonstrating how our industry-leading solutions allow our customers to use their satellite communications in a more efficient and secure way.”

14/1/2019 | 1 minute read

1 minute read. The Applied Satellite Technology Group of companies (AST), a leading provider of satellite communications, today announced its US division has relocated to a new office.

The AST Group relocates US office, marking another key milestone in its expansion strategy

Maritime IoT & Asset Management

Maritime Bespoke Solutions

Maritime Safety GMDSS

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MCLEAN, Va., September 25, 2018 ; [Iridium](http://www.iridium.com) Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today that it has been selected as the preferred provider of satellite communications services for The Ocean Cleanup, the non-profit organization deploying advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. [The Ocean Cleanup](http://www.theoceancleanup.com) is embarking on one of the largest environmental initiatives of this generation by cleaning up ocean plastic debris, starting with what’s known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Ocean Cleanup has chosen Iridium L-band satellite broadband services to support this important mission. The [service is being delivered](https://www.theastgroup.com/solutions/bespoke-solutions) in partnership with Iridium service provider [The Applied Satellite Technology Group](http://www.theastgroup.com).

By creating a system of 600-meter-long floating plastic collectors (floating screens, or systems) that include a 3-meter-deep skirt, The Ocean Cleanup collects plastic pollution through a combination of the wind, waves, natural ocean currents and the floating screen’s ability to prevent plastic escaping underneath it, or flowing over the top while avoiding to ensnare sea life. Each system is equipped with two Iridium broadband terminals, and upon full deployment of a fleet of 60 floating screens, there will be 120 Iridium broadband terminals operating as part of this project. The Iridium terminals will be [relaying critical systems data](https://www.theastgroup.com/solutions/maritime-i-o-t-and-asset-management) including compartment flood detection, position and location information, pictures, 360-degree video and system performance information.

> The opportunity to play a role in such an important and historic endeavor was a no-brainer for Iridium. It’s an honor for us to be a part of The Ocean Cleanup’s incredible mission to rid the oceans of plastics. A reliable, predictable and redundant communication network, that can work despite adverse weather conditions is critically important to this system, and that’s when the Iridium network really shines. When the oceans aren’t cooperating and several foot waves and powerful winds are causing havoc, the Iridium system will help make sure The Ocean Cleanup understands the operational status of each floating screen in the fleet.

> Iridium CEO Matt Desch

The Iridium broadband terminals will receive data from a complex combination of sensors and data gathering equipment hosted by each system. That information will then be relayed to The Ocean Cleanup’s headquarters in Rotterdam in real-time. Iridium’s unique constellation of 66 interconnected [low-earth orbit (LEO)](https://www.theastgroup.com/insights/leo-connectivity) satellites requires no local ground infrastructure and provides the robustness, reliability and redundancy needed to ensure this critical data is delivered as expected.

Iridium is nearing complete deployment of its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. The new constellation is completely replacing the previous network of 66 interconnected satellites. To date, there have been seven successful Iridium NEXT launches completed by SpaceX, deploying 65 new satellites. One launch remains before completion of the company’s historic constellation refresh. In total, 75 new satellites are being launched to LEO, of which 66 will be in the active constellation, with nine on-orbit spares. 

For more information about The Ocean Cleanup, please visit [www.theoceancleanup.com](http://www.theoceancleanup.com) 

For more information about Iridium, please visit [www.iridium.com](http://www.iridium.com)

**About Iridium Communications Inc.**  
Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real-time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit [www.iridium.com.](http://www.iridium.com)  

25/9/2018 | 3 minute read

NGO's & Environmental

The Iridium® network delivers critical operational data, imagery and video for The Ocean Cleanup, our commitment to environmental sustainability.

The Ocean Cleanup chooses Iridium

Spliethoff-Group-ship-in-sea.jpg

Worldwide ocean transport and dry cargo specialists, Spliethoff, have chosen AST as their supplier of global satellite communications. Together with network partner ITC Global, AST will provide Spliethoff with a global Ku VSAT network, failover L-band services, hardware and bandwidth as well as 24/7 manned support. As a subsidiary of Panasonic, ITC Global leverages its parent company’s broadband network, purpose-built and designed specifically for global mobility markets.

"Changes in the airtime market, forced us to look for a new solution quicker than anticipated", explained Peter Van de Venne, Spliethoff's Director IT. "AST proved to be a professional provider, willing to go the extra mile and adapting to our needs/requirements"

AST’s reliable, comprehensive, global network and excellent customer service were key considerations for Spliethoff, as was the ability to complete the network migration quickly and without any disruption of service. AST Marine Networks are specialists in building custom solutions, integrating hardware, software and airtime packages, and successfully completed a seamless migration of the Spliethoff network with no downtime or interruption of service.

 “The migration went very smoothly (about 80 ships in nearly 2 weeks)”, commented Van de Venne. “After migration, the support organization indeed proved proactive and thorough. When visiting AST, it was a pleasure seeing that support tickets were not evaluated on the speed of closing, but on the actual evaluation feedback from the end customer.”

Mr Van de Venne added, “We look forward to working with AST towards next-generation Internet connectivity on board in which we address challenges like improved cybersecurity, multiple suppliers remote access, broadening sensor data requirements and video applications.” 

AST also welcome the opportunity to work with Spliethoff. AST Director, Stuart Castell, said, “Spliethoff is a tech-savvy and forward-thinking organisation, well-respected for their reliability and high-quality standards. We are proud to add a company of Spliethoff’s stature and reputation to our ever-growing portfolio of maritime VSAT customers”.

**About the AST Group**

**The AST Group is a leading global innovator in satellite communication solutions, offering a suite of unique propositions such as their award-winning IRIS and INTEGRA solutions.** 

**The AST Group has presence globally, with offices serving both end-users and channel partners in Europe, Africa, The Americas, Asia and Australia and have a proven track record in delivering high profile projects in a variety of markets sectors.** 
**Along with local engineers and experienced sales staff, The AST Group offer unbiased advice to ensure customers receive the right communication solution to meet their business needs, and at a competitive price. The AST Group also provide a manned 24/7 Global Customer Support service to ensure continuity of service and reliable assistance from fully qualified personnel.**

**The AST Group operates a Quality Management System that meets the requirements of ISO 9001 to ensure that quality standards are constantly met and improved. A recent addition to this accreditation is ISO 14001, an internationally accepted standard awarded to companies that can demonstrate a proven Environmental Management System.**

**About ITC Global**

**ITC Global is a leading provider of satellite communications to the energy, mining, maritime, NGO and hospitality markets. Companies in remote and harsh environments require communications with both global coverage and unwavering customer service. ITC Global enables improved real-time decision-making and enhanced health, safety and environmental management through a unified communications solution, tailored to the requirements of each client. Solutions include custom network design, hardware implementation, field engineering, technical support and enterprise-grade satellite bandwidth. ITC Global operates 24x7 carrier-class networks across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. It became a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation in 2015\.** 

**[www.itcglobal.com](http://www.itcglobal.com)**

9/3/2018

AST win a contract to supply leading Dutch shipping company Spliethoff with global VSAT and L-band satellite communications to more than 80 vessels.

AST Marine Networks supplies global VSAT services to Spliethoff Group

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As part of the ongoing project, five (under 10 meters) inshore fishing vessels have had the new AST AVMS installed providing inshore vessel monitoring.

The AVMS (**autonomous vessel monitoring system**) has been specifically designed for tracking small, inshore vessels and is entirely solar powered with an internal battery and no need for any external power.

This means the installation is straightforward and in this case, the Fishers involved with the project self-installed as it only required securing the AVMS to the vessel.

The AVMS does not interfere with the operation of the vessel as once installed requires no maintenance and it does not require to be connected to the vessels mains power.

![AVMS (autonomous vessel monitoring system)](/media/ck-editor/2020/07/16/icatch_UR364qD.png) ![](/media/ck-editor/2020/07/16/spurdog_vDe0HAS.jpg)

As part of the programme, a daily catch reporting tool was required recording gear type, GPS location of haul, species caught and pictorial evidence of Spurdog bycatch.

The AST iCatch smartphone App was tailored to specifically report on Spurdog bycatch and provided to the fishers to use on their own smartphones.

The AST iCatch App enabled the fishers to transmit their catch reports shoreside with the minimum inconvenience to their daily operation.

<https://www.gov.uk/government/news/spurdog-picked-dogfish-by-catch-avoidance-programme>

23/8/2018

The AVMS (autonomous vessel monitoring system) is designed for tracking small inshore vessels and is solar-powered with back-up battery.

AVMS vessel monitoring and iCatch reporting app deployed

Satellite phone set down on a pile of papers with the AST logo printed on them

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On Saturday 23rd June 2018 AST Systems and Iridium provided satellite communications to The HALO Trust for their sponsored Walk for Syria. Over 250 people joined making it a truly memorable day, raising over £75,000 to keep vulnerable families safe in war-torn Syria.

The challenging 30km walk through the beautiful countryside of Dumfries & Galloway covered some of the most dramatic scenery within the UK. Starting from The HALO Trust HQ near Thornhill then taking a circular route through the remote foothills of the Lowther Hills where mobile phone signal is limited or non-existent.

Paul McCann from The HALO Trust commented; “We would like to thank AST Systems Ltd and Iridium who supplied us with 7 Iridium Extreme PTT satellite phones for the event. Their generosity enabled us to keep in contact with other members of the group, and in the event of an emergency call for help, even in the most remote parts of the walk!”

For team communications, the Iridium Extreme PTT is ruggedly engineered to support high intensity users in some of the harshest conditions, everywhere in the world. Enhanced with an intelligently designed Push-to-Talk mode, high audio loudspeaker, reinforced PTT button, and lengthy capacity battery, the easy to use Iridium Extreme PTT takes reliable, global communications to the next level.

The HALO Trust is a non-profit organization that work in 20 countries clearing debris, in particular land mines which have been left behind by war. AST has supported their programs for over 8 years by providing them with safe, reliable satellite communications when out in the field where no terrestrial communications are available. 

[https://www.halotrust.org](https://www.halotrust.org)

5/7/2018

AST Systems provides The HALO Trust satellite communications on their sponsored Walk for Syria

The HALO Trust | Iridium Extreme PTT

Remote & Lone Workers

Land Connectivity

Black Cobham Explorer 8120 satellite dish in Australia 

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The Government of South Australia's Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) has selected a solution that features EXPLORER 8120 VSAT antennas enabling broadband data connectivity and high-quality telephony for workers delivering essential services to communities in remote areas. The EXPLORER 8120 antennas, which are the only 1.2-meter auto-acquire, drive-away antenna system to feature Dynamic Pointing Correction technology to improve link uptime, were delivered in May 2018.

DPTI strives to provide high-quality infrastructure for the welfare and operational capability of its teams, ensuring they are enabled to continue delivery of essential services for communities in remote South Australia. A critical aspect is providing communication facilities for both worker welfare and operational support, but due lack of terrestrial infrastructure in remote regions, contact has until now been maintained through a combination of fax, satellite phones and high-frequency radio, with limited Internet access available for personal or productivity use.

In a significant drive to improve conditions for remote workers, the department recently started a process of upgrading 11 mobile units to be used as accommodation for work crews during their 18 day work periods throughout remote South Australia. Facilities to improve contact with family and friends through, for example, VoIP, email and social media for when crews are off-shift were core to the project, alongside a desire to improve communication with head office and provide secure remote access to the department’s data network.

EXPLORER 8120 was chosen due to its easy installation and proven ability to deliver high uptime, augmented by a unique antenna stabilisation technology that ensures a reliable link to the satellite, even if the antenna is being buffeted by winds or people are moving around inside the accommodation unit.

"AST Australia was successful in meeting the requirements utilising the Cobham EXPLORER 8120 and our VSAT service provisioning with local support,"; said Richard Coston Managing Director of AST Australia. "Cobham's unique platform was preferred by the customer over all other 'Communications on the Pause'; antennas due to its unmatched performance and best-in-class operational qualities, such as the built-in stabilisation system, blocking zone functionality and harmonic drive gearing. Additionally, its robust design delivers operational continuity in extreme environments, making sure that DPTI workers always have a stable connection even in the highest summer temperatures and arid climate experienced in South Australia."  

29/5/2018

Mining

Consumer & Leisure

Utilities

Cobham partner AST Australia’s rural broadband solution for South Australia government workers includes state-of-the-art EXPLORER VSAT antennas

EXPLORER 8120 Chosen for Australian Remote Worker Welfare

Wooden Malawi fishing boats painted white yellow and blue in line on the beach

wooden-malawi-fishing-boats-lined-up-on-beach.jpg

AST Marine Sciences Ltd is pleased to announce a new inshore vessel monitoring project to support the FAO and the Malawi Department of Fisheries in improving the sustainability of fisheries targeting Blue Mbuna and Dogtooth Cichlid in Lake Malawi.

![img_6601.jpg](https://theastgroup-production.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/6410a3e026aea60cd9689c89c61a1adb.jpg)

This involves providing an advanced shoreside VMS application (GAP) including local VMS and hardware installation training and support services. Catch reporting – AST is supplying a bespoke Malawi Fisheries the iCatch application to enable catch data to be reported to the Department of Fisheries via the Fishers own phones.

![img_6577.jpg](https://theastgroup-production.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/a0e5d8061d2231dadd6e759f630c6c36.jpg)

The new anti-tamper AST iVMS cellular-based Xtreme GPS tracker was installed on 40 VMS pair trawlers operating on one of Africa greatest lakes – Lake Malawi.

![malawi.jpg](https://theastgroup-production.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/ed30ae2d946c873eb384d9d07a448155.jpg)

5/9/2018

Inshore vessel monitoring project to help improve the sustainability of fisheries targeting Blue Mbuna and Dogtooth Cichlid in Lake Malawi.

United Nations award 2-year iVMS contract in Malawi monitoring fisheries

Large shipping vessel at sea against an orange sky background

vessel-at-sea-against-an-orange-sky.jpg

Thales is delighted to confirm AST as a premium Global partner for Thales’ MissionLINK™ and VesseLINK™ products - This is exactly the kind of partnership that we want; AST is highly ambitious and capable, and has the vision to revolutionize land-based and maritime communications with state-of-the-art satellite technology and solutions” commented Robert Squire, Director, Thales Certus.

Mark Sykes, Director, AST said “the ‘AST INTEGRA Certus’ proposition will be the most attractive and capable in the market. Customers will demand the levels of service and features and benefits only we can offer – the Thales partnership is key to bringing some of these to market”.  
  
VesseLINK™ will provide critical marine operations with a lifeline to shore whenever or wherever a vessel is at sea by offering an affordable, enterprise-grade solution designed to meet the unique challenges of maritime environments. The lightweight solution also affords a simple, adaptable and robust design and easy to use interface for ship captains and crews. It can be installed as a stand-alone solution or used as a VSAT companion.

MissionLINK™ will be the first of the land-mobile product line and it will operate using Iridium Certus broadband services over a network of 66 satellites that cover 100% of the globe, including the most difficult to service remote locations.

The addition of the new terminals further enhances AST’s expansive Certus offering, making them the No. 1 option when customers adopt the Certus service. AST’s unique INTEGRA suite of Value Added Services integrates seamlessly with Certus offering the most complete solution on the market.

5/2/2018

AST announced their partnership with Thales, including supply of Thales VesseLINK™ MissonLINK™ terminals to support Iridium’s new Certus services. 

AST and Thales announce a new strategic partnership for AST INTEGRA Certus

Hologram of earth with blue light nodes over the surface 

Christian joins the [Applied Satellite Technology Group](https://www.theastgroup.com/about-us) to focus on developing existing and new business relationships in Latin America and brings with him over 10 years of relevant industry experience in the [Land](https://www.theastgroup.com/solutions/land-connectivity), [Maritime](https://www.theastgroup.com/solutions/maritime-connectivity), and Aero sectors. The familiarity of the region, together with local languages will assist our customers at every step of their AST journey.

Robert Lorenzana, Vice President of Applied Satellite Technology Systems US LLC (AST) said; “With our new and innovative solutions such as [INTEGRA & IRIS](https://www.theastgroup.com/solutions/comms-and-bandwidth-management) I am delighted that we now have a local presence ready to assist customers in this region, with the emphasis being on educating and supporting local companies with their communication requirements. Our industry-leading solutions allow our customers to use satellite in a more effective manner, making it an affordable and effective option”

“We are committed to further growing our capability in Latin America in sectors such as mining, utilities, energy and government where satellite is a key enabler. This is an exciting time for AST.”

**About the AST Group**

The AST Group is a leading global innovator in satellite communication solutions, offering a suite of unique propositions such as their award-winning IRIS and INTEGRA solutions. 

The AST Group has presence globally, with offices serving both end-users and channel partners in [Europe, Africa, The Americas, Asia and Australia](https://www.theastgroup.com/locations) and have a proven track record in delivering high profile projects in a variety of markets sectors.

Along with local engineers and experienced sales staff, The AST Group offer unbiased advice to ensure customers receive the right communication solution to meet their business needs, and at a competitive price. The AST Group also provide a manned [24/7 Global Customer Support](https://www.theastgroup.com/service-desk) service to ensure continuity of service and reliable assistance from fully qualified personnel.

[The AST Group operates a Quality Management System that meets the requirements of ISO 9001](https://www.theastgroup.com/accreditations) to ensure that quality standards are constantly met and improved. A recent addition to this accreditation is ISO 14001, an internationally accepted standard awarded to companies that can demonstrate a proven Environmental Management System.

28/3/2018 | 2 minute read

2 minute read. Global satellite solutions and communications company, The AST Group, opens its LATAM office.

News