Satellite Internet in South Africa

Satellite Internet Access Service

The southernmost country in Africa, South Africa is a large country with a long coastline, bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. The country is the largest in southern Africa and has a population of 55.9 million. The landscape is varied and distinctive, from large plateaux and beautiful beaches to mountainous regions, including the Great Escarpment.

South Africa’s economy is heavily dependent upon tourism and agriculture. The country has a relatively high GDP with tourism providing a large percentage of its revenue. South Africa has a solid mobile infrastructure which has developed quickly as a result of the number of South Africans that own a smartphone. As in other African countries, South Africa has been gripped by the rise of the mobile phone and the Internet is mostly accessed using this method – around 95%. However, what is evident is that whilst mobile voice is affordable to South African, mobile data is less so. Around a quarter of the 29 million smartphone users in the country do not use data, yet there is a great deal of pent up demand at the bottom of the mobile market. The government has established the Broadband InfraCo with an aim to provide cheaper broadband access. However, it remains a challenge to connect those people who live outside of urban centres. The South African people are well aware that Internet access equals economic access and therefore it is important that broadband is made more affordable for those who currently remain unconnected – around 34 million people.

VSAT Solutions in South Africa

BusinessCom Networks can provide the solution to the broadband access challenge across South Africa by addressing the extension of mobile networks and the provision of access to remote communities. Using its VSAT solution, BusinessCom can help Mobile Network Operators to use cellular backhaul to extend their reach to those pockets of the population that are untapped, thus providing them with precious voice and data connectivity via smartphones and increasing revenues. In the case of remote communities that have no current infrastructure, VSAT networks can also be deployed to rapidly provide people with Internet access where no fixed line infrastructure exists and regardless of difficult location or terrain.

This instant connectivity can allow South Africans all over the country to enjoy the great knowledge and benefits that come with Internet access. Through their phones and their computers, they may access financial services, educational tools, healthcare advice, local government services and general advice – all of which will enrich their lives. Businesses, especially those located in hard-to-reach areas can also reap the rewards of the deployment of a VSAT terminal to help them to be more efficient and provide better services. VSAT is a simple solution yet can make a huge impact at relatively low cost. BusinessCom has technicians in-country who know the South African market well and can advise users on how to get the best out of their networks. BusinessCom also offers tools that will maximise bandwidth to ensure that links are not only reliable but are good value for money.

BusinessCom can help enable South Africans that as yet remain unconnected to enjoy the wealth of information and entertainment that the Internet can offer at a price that is right.