ip.access small cells powering deployments in remote Congo communities with RascomStar-QAF and ViaSat

RascomStar-QAF, the pan-African satellite operator, will deliver mobile coverage and fixed telephony access for IPX Extenso in remote and rural areas of the Republic of Congo through a unique collaboration with ViaSat and ip.access.
RascomStar-QAF offers end-to-end remote and rural solutions including phone boxes, remote base stations and its own VSAT terminals – all connected to the operator’s core network by satellite backhaul. These innovative solutions, which have been developed in partnership with ViaSat and ip.access, allow operators to minimize not only the initial investment but also to reduce recurring costs.
To deliver the service, ip.access small cells will be deployed in around 50 sites throughout the country with one gateway in the capital. Installation and the first pilot service will begin this summer with plans to widen the deployment in 2013 and include at least ten more countries in the central African region.
The service will use ip.access small cells and gateway technology to deliver mobile coverage and services directly into the heart of the remote communities. Simon Brown, CEO of ip.access said the company was proud to be associated with the project and praised the work of the development team involved.
“Working closely with our partners we have helped to create an end to end system by using our expertise in small cell deployments to bring voice and Internet access to previously unconnected parts of the world at a price-point they can afford. It’s a great project to be part of and we look forward to its expansion into other African countries,” he said.
Faraj Elamari, CEO of RascomStar-QAF added: “Our services were developed to provide affordable universal access telephony in rural and remote areas and have a particular role to play serving low ARPU communities. Together with our partners, we believe that we have designed a service that meets the needs of a region underserved by mobile and indeed fixed telephony.”