SpaceCom Selects iDirect To Support GSM Mobile Backhaul Service
SpaceCom International Selects iDirect To Support GSM Mobile Backhaul Service In South and Central Asia
Initial deployment in Afghanistan results in significant bandwidth cost savings for GSM operators
Herndon, Va., December 15, 2009 – VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems Inc (VT Systems), today announced that SpaceCom International has introduced a GSM cellular backhaul service based on iDirect’s satellite communications platform. SpaceCom has already deployed the service to rural sites in Afghanistan with immediate plans to expand throughout South and Central Asia. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.
SpaceCom selected the iDirect platform to reduce satellite bandwidth and infrastructure costs and improve voice and data traffic quality – key challenges that limit mobile operators’ expansion into remote and rural areas. iDirect’s TDMA-based shared allocation model enables mobile operators to distribute satellite capacity across multiple remote and rural locations based on real-time local demand. SpaceCom tested the iDirect platform against a legacy serial GSM connection and realized bandwidth savings of more than 50 percent, while significantly improving network speed and voice quality.
SpaceCom is currently backhauling voice traffic from more than 30 sites in Afghanistan. In 2010, the company plans to expand its service to up to 200 sites and to mobile operators in emerging Asian markets. SpaceCom is planning the roll-out of Ku-Band GSM backhaul within the South Asia region in the first Quarter of 2010. The backhaul network integrates iDirect’s Series 12000 Universal Satellite Hub and iNFINITI® satellite routers with IP-based mobile infrastructure.
iDirect was the best and only fit for our requirements. In rural markets, it’s impossible to predict how traffic will vary from site to site. iDirect provides us with the flexibility to pool bandwidth and share it exactly when and where it’s needed so that we can help our customers lower their operating costs.
Mobile backhaul over satellite is helping operators extend infrastructure and service into communities that have never been connected to the global telecommunications network. SpaceCom is playing a critical role in this advancement and at the same time helping mobile operators find a profitable new market for their services.