Satellite

This solution offers a secure, stable, and high-performance primary connectivity network, crucial for engineering private networks or leveraging cloud-based applications. (Image source: Avanti Communications)

Avanti Communications, a leading multi-orbit provider of fully integrated connectivity services, has highlighted the crucial role satellite technology will play in the forthcoming digitalisation of Africa’s mining sector

The mining industry offers great promise for African nations in the years ahead having already underpinned the economies of many countries for a number of decades. Now, the critical mineral demand boom is enhancing global interest and offering the continent the chance to claim a leading position in the forthcoming energy transition.

In order to grasp this unprecedented opportunity, the sector must keep up with the modern technologies which offer the opportunity to maximise production and efficiency. According to Avanti, digitalisation will be a key facilitator of such innovative solutions and, going further, the use of satellite technology is therefore vital.

Mine Always On

It is with this understanding that Avanti has introduced its ‘Mine Always On’ solution, designed to ensure constant, undisrupted connectivity tailored to the unique demands of the mining industry. It brings about operational efficiencies and provides sustainable, reliable connectivity in remote mining locales.

Gamze Aydin, senior vice president sales and South Africa country manager at Avanti, commented, “Successfully charting this complex terrain heralds a new era of enhanced return on investment, operational efficiency, and sustainable practices in mining.”

Technologies such as this latest introduction by Avanti facilitate real-time communication and data exchange, vital for everything from enhancing safety to ensuring regulatory compliance. Moreover, the company has illustrated how the solution exemplifies its commitment to bolstering the mining sector’s digital transformation journey, focusing on cyber resilience and progress towards Net Zero goals.

“Satellite technology is an undisputed lifeline for mining,” said Aydin. “It will define new standards for improving efficiency, boosting safety, and addressing environmental compliance. It’s a transformative force, bringing vital technological advancements to legacy systems when it’s needed most.”

Gamze Aydin, senior vice-president of sales and South Africa country manager at Avanti. (Image source: Avanti Communications)

Avanti Communications, a leading global multi-orbit provider of fully integrated connectivity services and solutions, has successfully conducted a satellite connectivity test with BankservAfrica, Africa’s largest automated clearing house, and Capitec Bank, one of South Africa’s top retail banks

The successful completion of this connectivity test marks a significant step towards enhancing transactional security. It highlights the transformative potential of satellite communications in bolstering digital banking systems, paving the way for more resilient financial operations, reflective of a digitally mature and inclusive banking future.

Satellite connectivity test key findings:

Stable connectivity: The satellite connection demonstrated durability with consistent stability, a crucial factor in ensuring financial transactions are carried out without interruption on Avanti’s GEO Ka HTS satellite.

Mission critical application: Financial traffic was routed solely on the Avanti satellite link, showcasing Avanti’s link capability in handling mission-critical applications during the loss of terrestrial links or unstable connectivity caused by fibre cuts or power issues.

Effective production testing: High transaction volumes were efficiently managed during intensive production testing, underscoring the robustness of the satellite link.

Gamze Aydin, senior vice-president of sales and South Africa country manager at Avanti, commented, “With South Africa’s financial institutions facing the threats of power grid instabilities and undersea cable malfunctions, this test is a forerunner of strengthened operational resilience. By enabling direct satellite connection to European traffic hubs, Avanti’s solution reduces reliance on local infrastructure, which is prone to disruption. These tests not only validate the role of satellite technology as a steadfast, secure conduit for financial transactions but underscore its importance in maintaining operations in challenging conditions.”

The collaboration with BankservAfrica and Capitec represents a significant advancement in technological application.

“We participated in the connectivity test to determine the viability of using Satellite for additional resilience in the financial industry. The test was successful across all the critical measurement points. BankservAfrica is pleased to consider the inclusion of this technology across our Managed Network Solution,” added Ben Janse van Rensburg, chief technology officer at BankservAfrica.

This initiative is a major step towards reinforcing the resilience of financial services across Africa. The successful completion of the test is an important milestone, demonstrating the viability of satellite communication in maintaining stable and reliable transaction environments.

NIGCOMSAT partners with INFRATEL AFRICA to enhance rural connectivity and digital economy in Nigeria using satellite tech. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd continues to assert its leadership as a provider of satellite communications infrastructure by securing a new contract with INFRATEL AFRICA, a major telecom company engaged in a rural infrastructure backhaul project

This project will transition 100 locations to the NigComSat-1R Ka band hub platform, significantly enhancing rural connectivity and furthering the digital economy goals of the current administration.

Enhancing digital inclusion 

The NigComSat-1R satellite will support businesses by expanding telecom networks and improving connectivity solutions. Managing director NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Nkechi Jane Egerton-Idehen, remarked, “The collaboration with INFRATEL AFRICA is a welcome development as NIGCOMSAT Ltd is now placed to claim its rightful position in the industry.”

"And together we are making significant progress in delivering services in the areas of Transponder lease, broadband internet, broadcast service and other turnkey solutions,’” Egerton-Idehen added at the signing of the agreement between the two companies.

The managing director noted that all the people she is currently working with, are all internal staff, which shows the level of competencies on ground. She assured INFRATEL AFRICA that NIGCOMSAT Ltd in recent time upgraded its infrastructure to meet the world standard for service delivery.

INFRATEL AFRICA is connecting unserved and underserved communities to the global digital landscape, promoting inclusivity and digital equality by leveraging its infrastructure, expertise, and technology as a leading telecommunication infrastructure service provider in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

This, among other goals, is achieved by providing technology solutions to drive transformational services such as Agency Banking, Telemedicine, e-learning, e-government and Solar based cold rooms within the rural communities, utilising strategic alliances with technical partners to deliver value to clients and enhance communication across Africa, bridging gaps regardless of social class or location.

Eutelsat and Seraphim aim to enhance global connectivity, Earth observation, and data services. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Eutelsat Group has announced its participation in Seraphim Space’s second venture capital fund, SSV II

This investment is intended to drive technological innovation in the space industry by supporting the dynamic start-ups within Seraphim’s portfolio.

Innovating space connectivity

Through this collaboration, Eutelsat Group and Seraphim aim to enhance the development of advanced capabilities to address the increasing demand for global connectivity, Earth observation, and advanced data services. This investment highlights Eutelsat Group’s commitment to staying at the cutting edge of innovation and backing emerging technologies poised to revolutionise the space sector.

SSV II will particularly emphasise the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for space data, in-orbit computing, and space-enabled communications.

Both Eutelsat Group and Seraphim Space are excited to embark on this promising partnership, setting the stage for significant advancements in the space industry and beyond.

“We are excited to invest into Seraphim Space, a leading global player in space technology investment. This partnership allows us to closely engage with groundbreaking companies, enhancing our capacity to innovate and deliver next-generation connectivity solutions. We look forward to working with Seraphim and its portfolio of start-ups to shape the future of satellite communications and space services,” said Guillaume Scottez, chief innovation officer at Eutelsat Group.

Mark Boggett, CEO of Seraphim Space, commented, “We are thrilled to strengthen Seraphim Space’s heavyweight industry and corporate backing with the addition of Eutelsat Group, a trailblaser in satellite communications and a strong advocate for NewSpace. We are looking forward to working together to amplify our ability to support pioneering space companies that are driving significant advancements in the space sector. Together, we are well-positioned to support the next wave of innovation in satellite infrastructure, services and beyond.”