ICTs in Africa

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Connectivity Infrastructure

» VSAT

» Fiber

» Wireless

» Mobile

Computers

» Computers in Africa

Electricity

» Electricity in Africa

Sectors

» Education

» E-Government

» E-Commerce

Resources

» The VSAT Buyers Guide

» IDRC: Open and Closed Skies: Satellite Access in Africa

» Infumdo: “Improving Access to Education via Satellites in Africa: A Primer”

» IDRC: Map of "The Internet : Out of Africa"

» IDRC: Map of "Teleaccess : Inside Africa"

» IDRC: Accacia Atlas

» Example VSAT pricing

Important Organizations/ Associations

» Global VSAT Forum

» African Telecommunications Union (ATU)

» RASCOM

» African Region Internet Registry (AfriNIC)

» African Internet Service Provider Associations (AfRISPA)

» The Africa Network Operators Group (AfNOG)

VSAT Buyers Guide

What steps do organisations and individuals take when faced with the prospect of buying a VSAT- a parabolic dish and associated electronic equipment used to send and receive information via a satellite? How do they select VSAT equipment and service options and arrive at the final choice? What factors should be considered in buying VSAT equipment and services and what should be avoided? What should one do after installation and when the VSAT system is not performing as anticipated?

There are many books on satellite communications, VSAT systems and procurement strategies, but none that specifically address how to efficiently acquire VSAT systems and the issues to consider in the complex decision making process leading to the acquisition in a non-technical way.

Having experienced this unsettling situation first hand, as a direct result, and with the support of IDRC Connectivity Africa Program staff, this Guide was developed.

This Guide attempts to fill the information void and to answer the questions related to the acquisition of VSAT Systems.

The Guide discusses VSAT technologies and procurement strategies, in what we hope is a non-technical and easy to understand manner.

Download the guide here