an Eldis Resource
Internet via satellite in Africa: an overview of the options available
Can satellite connections replace cable connections?
Authors:
M. Hegener
Publisher:
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation , 2002
The author argues that the ICT for development argument that projects cannot go ahead without 'necessary' cable infrastructure is invalid.
The document outlines existing successful uses of satellite communications around the world and points out that, for example, in Tanzania, a count in December 1998 in Dar es Salaam showed that twelve out of fourteen ISPs active in Tanzania’s capital had their own satellite link to a ground station in either Europe or the USA.
The author discusses the various technologies available and their relative advantages. He states that high speed access will be available to Africa, via satellite, by 2003, although tariffs are not yet known. He also considers options for download only and download via satellite, return by telephone technology.
This is a fairly detailed technological report outlining the companies and technologies expected to be available from 2003. The document contains links to a number of organisations working on these systems.
The link will direct you to a longer summery of this paper. The full document can be downloaded from this page but has to be unzipped.
