Seven GSM mobile networks in as many countries in Africa are to be connected via a VSAT network to be installed by Globecomm Systems. The contract follows Atlantique Telecom's programme of consolidation of its African markets.
Globecomm Systems, which specialises in satellite-based communications infrastructure solutions and services, has announced its receiving a contract from Atlantique Telecom to develop a VSAT network connecting seven GSM mobile networks in seven central African countries. The contract will run in parallel with Atlantique Telecom's recent OSS/BSS project (see Intec consolidates African market with Atlantique Telecom extension).
Under the agreement Globecomm will design, integrate and deploy systems at the Atlantique Telecom main hub facility in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at remote network nodes in Niger, Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin, Gabon and the Central African Republic and at Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications' primary gateway at Sharjah, UAE. The VSAT network will provide cost-effective voice and data traffic routing, and will support the growth of Atlantique Telecom's subscriber base in one of the world's fastest growing mobile markets.
The turnkey solution is based on VSAT satellite technology in a complex star-meshed network to provide optimised voice and data trunking. Globecomm's Satcell solution enables "high quality of service while minimising satellite bandwidth requirements and reducing overall operating costs for Atlantique Telecom." In addition to systems design, integration and installation, Globecomm will design, recommend and manage C-band transponder capacity on the Thuraya D2 satellite on behalf of Atlantique Telecom.
* Based in Abidjan, Ivory Cost, Atlantique Telecom is majority-owned by Etisalat, the telecommunications carrier of the UAE, and is also an authorised distributor for Thuraya satellite phones in its service area. Atlantique Telecom has over 4 million subscribers in seven countries.
