Algeria is the largest country in Africa, the Arab World and the Mediterranean Basin. Geographically, the country is vast, and it extends from the Sahara in the South to the Atlas Mountains in the North. Against a backdrop of social and political unrest, Algeria is facing a series of challenges as it gradually modernizes its telecommunications infrastructure to support its people and its core industry, hydrocarbons.
Algeria satellite internet access
Algeria has seen solid mobile subscriber growth over recent years and there is still huge potential for growth. Of its over 41 million-strong population, there are just over 15 million Internet users, resulting in a penetration rate of 36.8 percent. Mobile network operators have the chance to take a good slice of the broadband market, as the most popular means of accessing the Internet in Algeria is on a mobile phone or device. Due to the vast nature of the country, satellite is an important means of providing connectivity where it does not yet exist, and may never exist, due to the remote nature of certain regions.
Connectivity across the Sahara
The majority of Algerians live in the Northern coastal areas, but around 1.5 million are nomadic and part nomadic, many settling in oases in the Sahara. Demand for mobile communications and for broadband is and will continue to grow significantly. Therefore, VSAT connectivity is going to be vital for the population going forward. The sheer size of Algeria and its topography is challenging in terms of installation of communications infrastructure. VSAT services can bypass this requirement, as they may be installed rapidly and as and when required, providing a cost-effective and highly scalable solution for Internet access and augmentation of mobile networks.
Oil & Gas Industry
In terms of the economy, the dominant industry by far is hydrocarbons – oil and gas. Algeria is home to the second largest oil reserves in Africa. Energy exports form the backbone of the economy and the country provides large amounts of natural gas to Europe. Here again, satellite is an important part of the oil and gas communications portfolio. Providing cost-effective, mission critical connectivity at all stages of the oil and gas exploration and production chain, VSAT is an ideal, and often the only, solution.
Following the recent oil slump, there is a need for Algeria to diversify the economy and to look to other industries aside from hydrocarbons by attracting more foreign investment outside of the energy sector. The country is looking to nurture its tourist industry, which has in the past been hampered by a lack of infrastructure and facilities. Algeria boasts many UNESCO World Heritage sites that attract tourists. Satellite connectivity provides the key for tour operators and also hoteliers to stay connected no matter where they are located.
Satellite can provide the catalyst to boost communications infrastructure in Algeria. It’s not only industry that can be aided by effective communications, but so can healthcare, education, sanitation and access to government services. These are basic needs that can contribute to an overall stronger and more prosperous society.
At BusinessCom Networks, we know that every communications requirement is unique, and we are able to offer a very wide range of satellite-based services that can transform the efficiency of a business, connect those living in rural areas with vital services or simply to ensure that you can use your mobile phone no matter where you are in Algeria.
BusinessCom’s satellite internet in Algeria offers the following services:
- Broadband Internet access
- Toll quality VoIP and Videoconferencing with CIR
- Reliable SLA through FDMA and D-TDMA with 98% efficiency on payload
- Star, Mesh and hybrid Star/Mesh topology networks
- Full support of accelerated VPN, CITRIX, ERM and other business applications
- Highly secure operation with optional AES embedded encryption
- Global C-Band coverage and sub-Sahara Ku-Band
- Landing at top tier redundant IP facilities in Western Europe and United States
- Sentinel-based QoS, bandwidth management and optimization platform
