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The Technology

By virtue of Sentech's multimedia licence, and using its world-class Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) network, Sentech offers intranet and Internet solutions to suit every corporate type need and budget, from high-volume and remote spread offices, through small and medium enterprises and up to large corporations. The basic equipment is the same - a bi-directional satellite dish, a low noise block down converter (for receiving data), a block up converter (for transmitting data) and a multi protocol in-door communications unit. Sentech custom designs a solution to suit individual customer requirements, specific needs and budgets. This technology can provision up to 10Mbps from the hub to the remote terminal and up to 1Mbps from the remote terminal to the hub.

Geographic Independence and Reliability

Unlike terrestrial networks, offices or facilities located in under serviced areas do not suffer from Quality of Service (QoS) issues. As long as the dish is in the satellite’s (PAS7) footprint and has an unobstructed view of the sky, signal throughput will be the same, wherever you are in South Africa. Satellite communication is o­nly dependent upon two things - a stable electric power source and an unobstructed view of the sky. There are fewer points of possible failure (such as junction boxes and telephone exchanges) between sites. The o­nly two external factors that can affect reliability are solar flares and heavy rain - both typically short in duration.

A Global Network

Because Sentech maintains and owns connections to the Internet, it is possible to extend the corporate intranet far beyond the borders of South Africa. Inbound traffic can be transmitted o­nto the global Internet via Sentech’s satellite facility in London. Outbound traffic is routed to Sentech’s hub in Honeydew, where it is sent to destination terminals via the most appropriate path – satellite or fibre.

Description

Businesses today are dependent upon their Intranets to communicate effectively with their remote offices and facilities, suppliers and customers. Sentech's VSTAR Custom offers a customised and highly cost-efficient solution that offers advantages over land based infrastructure networks.