Case Study

National Libraries, South Africa

www.avantiplc.comQuality. Flexibility.

Connecting communities in South AfricaAvanti and Meso power South Africa’s national library digital network.

NLSA appointed Meso Systems and Avanti Communications to collaborate and deliver internet access to over 100 of South African libraries in close succession.

Phase one of the national rollout delivered the following:

1 in 10 libraries were provided with services using VSAT access networks A state-of-the-art modem: 15Mbps download and 2.5Mbps upload capability A cost-effective 74cm satellite antenna Bandwidth management using Avanti’s highly fl exible Operational Support System (OSS)

At each step, the NLSA could record live terminals and new installs; monitor terminal performance and data usage; design and create their own bandwidth plans and usage policies; assist with the billing of customers; and communicate with customers.

The Solution

The National Library of South Africa (NLSA), the leading national library and information centre in Africa, has an important role to play in providing universal access to information for its population.

During implementation of the NLSA’s open source Library Information Management System (LIMS), the scale of the country’s connectivity issue became apparent. Without broadband access, libraries could not make use of the brand new system, nor could they access central archives.

The Challenge

The Results

Avanti and Meso’s collaboration has brought reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity to thousands of South Africa’s libraries, impacting millions of people interacting with the library network including: citizens, SMEs, students and government services.

Over six months, over 2,000 connections were made at an impressive rate of 11 new connections per day. An average of eight workstations were installed at each library. Online connectivity has empowered citizens with information, knowledge and resources that can literally change their lives. Unlocking a wealth of information available globally - at no cost to the end-user - the programme is an exciting milestone in education and social services sectors in South Africa.

Not only did satellite technology extend the reach to rural areas where ADSL was not available; it was also chosen in many locations where ADSL exists. Avanti’s satellite technology was favoured for its low cost, high quality, fl exibility and rapid deployment.

Phase two of the project brings the total number of connections to over 3,000. All of these sites are to be connected using VSAT services in partnership between Meso and Avanti.

T +44 (0)20 7749 1666E marketing@avantiplc.comwww.avantiplc.com

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Avanti is a carriers’ carrier, selling wholesale data telecoms to service providers which use them to create networks for enterprise, carrier, government and consumer users. Avanti’s network consists of: two high throughput satellites in orbit, called HYLAS 1 and HYLAS 2; a multiband satellite called Artemis plus a fourth satellite in construction called HYLAS 3 and an international fi bre network connecting data centres in several countries. Avanti has GEO satellite network spectrum fi lings in the ITU Master Register for Ka-band at 33.5°W and 31.0° East and for Ka, Ku, S and L-band at 21.5° East. Avanti serves customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

We chose Avanti because its services offer unparalleled quality at prices which radically change the economics of high-speed internet access in South Africa. Now this access is supporting social transformation and is helping deliver national objectives around knowledge and information-sharing.

Thibedi MogobaChairman of Meso Group

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