Report on Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme

REPORT ON STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME (SIWES)

TRAINING PROGRAMME

(MARCH-AUGUST 2011)

AT

INTERWEB SATCOM LTD

BY

DYE EVELYN MARKUS

(07CK06331)

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

COVENANT UNIVERSITY

BEING A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE SIWES DIRECTOR IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

GEC (429)

SIWES DIRECTOR / Ag. DEAN CST:

SEPTEMBER 2011.

SIWES REPORT BY DYE EVELYN MARKUS 07CK06331 ICT Page 1

DEDICATION

I dedicate this first to The Almighty God for giving me the strength, wisdom and grace to finish

my SIWES successfully and to write this report. To my parents Engr. & Mrs. Markus Choji Dye

who provided for me and to my very good friend Engr. Musa Salmamza Mshelia.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I acknowledge my parents Engr. & Mrs Markus Choji Dye for being there for me all the time

and for providing the necessary support, I appreciate it a lot and I love you. My siblings wullie

and Jenny, though not here in Nigeria, but they also contributed and supported me the best way

they could. My Aunt Miss Gilda Choji and Linda Wash for helping me complete my IT

successfully. My uncles, Mr Gyang Choji and Mr Yakubu Choji, for being there for me always.

My aunts, Mrs Victoria Kelechi, Mrs Mary, Mrs Joesphine, for all their wonderful support and

love. My cousin David choji am grateful.

To Mrs Nshi I am so grateful for everything you have done. Rueben, Accord, Mr. Aniete, Mr

Rainbow, Nancy, Mr moro, Biola, Gloria and Mr. Monday at Interweb thank you very much for

making my IT a success. To all COCIN Garki Band members, am very grateful.

Engr. Moses, I don’t know what to say, but thank you very much for helping me get a placement

and providing the necessary support and understanding and to all my friends, thank you.

Finally, thank you almighty God for my life that you spared and for everything. Words cannot

express how much I love you.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION…………………………………………………….2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT…………………………………………3

TABLE OF CONTENT…………………………………………….4

ABSTRACT………………………………………………………..5

SHORT INTRODUCTION: INTERWEB AND SERVICES PROVIDED…6

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION………………………………………7

PARTICIPATION/WORK DONE…………………………………….8

CHAPTER 2: EXPERIENCE GAINED………………………………..19

CHAPTER 3: CHALLENGES FACED BY STUDENT…………………30………

CHAPTER 4: OBSERVATION & CONTRIBUTIONS……………………31.

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION……………………………………………….34

CHAPTER 6: CHALLENGES OBSERVED AS BEING FACED BY THE SIWES-BASED

FIRM………..35


ABSTRACT

VSAT Technology, one of the leading Technologies Globally. It is well known for its flexibility,

versatility, availability and I can go on and on. Its installations and configurations are easy to

comprehend and implement unlike other means of satellite communications which require great

expertise.

VSAT has different network topologies in which it can be configured; it can be the mesh, star or

a combination of both. Despite the fact that VSAT has some disadvantage, it equally has some

advantages which give it an edge over other types of satellite communications.

This is as a result of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) that I undertook

in INTERWEB SATCOM LTD.


INTRODUCTION

INTERWEB SATCOM LTD is one of the largest internet service providers (ISP) in Abuja and is

registered with National Communication Commission (NCC) and it commenced operation in

2006. INTERWEB SATCOM LTD provides internet services to different private and

Governmental organizations. They deal mainly with VSAT and also sell devices like modems

and dishes with about 6 months warranty. They also provide technical support to different

organizations.

The Chairman of the company Mr. Monday Okpebholo and his supported members of board,

The General managers oversea the affairs of the various directorates which are broken into

divisions. Heads of divisions man the various positions with junior staffs forming the bulk of the

staff strength.

CEO:

He is the general overseer of the organization. The General Manager’s i.e. GM Marketing and

GM Technical, Manager Accounts and Manager Personnel report directly to him.

THE GENERAL MANAGERS:

They are in charge of everything from the Technical department to the marketing department. In

which the managers report directly to.

THE STAFF BODY:

They carry out the installation, configuration, and documentation, keep the funds and its records

and offer customer services.


CHAPTER ONE

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is accepted skill-training programme

that forms part of the approved minimum academics standards in the various degree programme

for all Nigerian Universities. It is an effort to bridge the gap existing between theory and practice

of Engineering and Technology, Science, Agriculture, Medical, Management and other

professional educational programme in Nigerian tertiary institution. It is aimed at exposing

student to machines and equipment, professional work methods and ways of safe guarding the

work areas and workers in industries and other organization. The minimum duration for the

SIWES should normally be 24weeks except for Engineering and Technology programme where

the minimum duration is 40weeks. The scheme is tripartite programme involving the student, the

University and the industry. It is funded by the Federal Government of Nigerian and jointly

coordinated by the industrial Training Fund (ITF) and National University Commission (NUC)

The aims and objectives of the Student Industrial Works Experience Scheme are:

1. It prepares students for the work situation they likely to meet after graduation.

2. It exposes student to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery

that may not be available in the Universities.

3. It makes the transition from the University to the world of work easier and thus enhances

student’s contact for later job placement.

4. It provides students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in real work

situation, there by bridging the gap between Universities work and actual practice.

5. It provides an avenue for student in the Nigeria Universities to acquire industrials skills and

experience in their course of study.

6. It enlists and strengthens employer’s involvement in the entire educational process of

preparing Universities graduate for employment in industry.


PARTICIPATION/ WORK DONE

In INTERWEB SATCOM LTD, I worked in the Technical department as one of their engineers.

I worked alongside the other engineers to provide technical support to customers. I install and

configure customer’s internet connection and also troubleshoot.

However, if there are challenges that arise in any of the sites, we are being called upon. I and the

other engineers go there and find out what went wrong and provide solutions to those challenges

that arise at the sites. In the office I record and document information on any site job being

completed.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO CUSTOMERS

Use of high quality equipments such as iDirect

iDirect is the industry leader in satellite-based broadband access solutions delivering all the

benefits of high speed IP networking beyond the constraints of traditional landline networks.


CUSTOMER SERVICES VP

BACKBONE TEAM LEADER

BACKBONE TEAM

VSAT TEAM LEADER

Developed specifically to meet the communication needs of satellite customers, iDirect powered

networks deliver the speed, performance and flexibility to fulfill the most demanding

requirements of today’s end users - anywhere.

C-Band Spot Beam

Intelsat 907, 27.5°W. Satellite coverage map and key parameters


KU SERVICE -SATELLITE CHARACTERISTICS

IS 907 at 332.5 Degrees East

Transponder 42/72

Linear polarization

Cross-strap transmission

Hub uplink transmission from USA teleport on transponder 42 (C-Band) is transmitted

down to Nigeria on transponder 72 (Ku-Band)

Remote uplink transmission from Nigeria on transponder 72 (Ku-Band) is transmitted

down to USA teleport on transponder 42 (C-Band)

KU AND C BAND SATELLITE DIFFERENCES

KU BAND

Not used for Terrestrial communication

Uses small antennas

Beam width less than half of that used for C-Band

Less FCC-imposed limits on Downlink signal.

Susceptible to rain fade.

C-BAND

Susceptible to terrestrial microwave interference

Larger, more expensive dishes

Wider beam width

FCC-imposed limits on downlink

Less susceptible to rain.

VSAT INSTALLATION

The antenna needs to be mounted where it can ‘see’ the satellite and where it is safe from unauthorized access in order to prevent any damage or harm from occurring to either the antenna or people. Ideally, the antenna should be sheltered from wind.


THE OUTDOOR UNIT (ODU)

The outdoor RF unit (ORU) is mounted on the arm in front of the antenna reflector and houses the Radio Frequency (RF) equipment required to transmit (TX) and receive (RX) from the antenna.

The outdoor RF unit comprises of two radio modules: a low noise block down converter (LNB) and a transmit block up converter (BUC) plus an ortho-mode transducer (OMT) which is the joint where they transmit and receive waveguides join. A band pass and band stop microwave filter is used prior to the LNB to protect it from the transmitter signals. For circular polarization, a polarizer is located between the OMT and the feed horn.

GROUND MOUNT:

This involves a tube lowered into a hole which is then filled in with concrete. Alternatively the tube may have a metal base plate attached so that it may be screwed to a plain concrete base using expanding bolt or similar. The pole should be accurately vertical so that when you swing the dish around to find the satellite the elevation angle stays the same all the time.

Securing the area with fencing or similar may be necessary.

NON PENETRATING MOUNT:

Based on an angle iron frame covered in concrete slabs, the antenna support tube is held vertical by several angle braces. Make sure that all angle braces are tight so that the pole does not wobble or twist in the wind. Read the assembly instructions carefully. The lower and upper angle braces may need to be attached to opposite sides of the vertical pole to prevent twisting.

A permanent safety rope is advised to be attached between the dish assembly and some fixed part of the building so that the dish does not blow off the building in exceptionally high winds.

Check the building roof is strong enough to support the weight of all the concrete blocks. In many cases a non-penetrating mount is not possible due to weak roof.


IFL CABLES

One or two coax cables will be required for the radio signals. These also carry low voltage DC supplies to power the LNB and BUC. The centre pin of the F connector must stick out about 2mm. The outer braid of both coax cables must be well connected at all four ends. If the outer braid of one coax cable is disconnected somewhere there will be very strange effects.

The antenna structure should be earthed to provide some protection from lightning strikes. If the building uses PME type earthing then consult a competent electrician regarding the lightning earth connection as there is a risk of hazard if an electricity network fault arises. In some countries useful regulations exist and provide guidance on how to earth the antenna safely.

Take care connecting up both the coax and earth cables as there may be differential earth voltages at each end. A thick earth cable between the antenna structure and the indoor chassis unit should make it safe to connect up the coax cables. If in doubt use the outer of one coax to make contact between the indoor unit chassis and the antenna before plugging in the other coax, noting that the centre pin of the coax may connect up first before the outer.

THE INDOOR DATA PROCESSING UNIT (DPU) OR SATELLITE MODEM

The indoor data processing unit (DPU) should be located in a dry, cool and clean place.


SAFETY

Installing a dish is normally dangerous. Take care not to fall down and not to drop tools on others below. Be careful with ladders- always tie off the top to some secure point. A small electric shock may make you fall off a ladder so be extra careful.

If you are a beginner, practice the complete installation at ground level before moving everything to the roof.

ACCURACY OF DISH POINTING AND POLARISATION ALIGNMENT

Set the antenna elevation angle using an inclinometer, or by using the scale on the antenna as accurately as you can to the elevation of the desired satellite. Lock in position but make sure that you can still move the antenna left and right in Azimuth.

Determine your latitude and longitude on the earth by using a GPS receiver or by estimation using a mapping website.

To find the correct satellite you will ideally have a satellite meter or a spectrum analyzer.

Inexpensive signal meters will give an increased level reading as you pass each satellite. They do not identify the satellite you are looking at as you pass it or point up on it. If you can identify a known satellite with such a device then you will have found a reference satellite. The satellite you want can then be found by looking up the angles for the reference satellite and adjusting the antenna accordingly from this position to the angles for the satellite you actually want.

The dish pointing (azimuth and elevation) needs to be near perfect (within the -0.25 dB of the beam peak on transmit) as the transmit beam is narrower then they receive beam.

The feed rotation polarization adjustment needs to be to 1 deg accuracy to ensure that you are in the very sharp null. Make this adjustment very slowly while the hub staffs watch the CW signals on their spectrum analyzer. Give the hub staff plenty time to make each measurement (20 seconds) and then rotate the feed a fraction while talking to them. They are looking for a signal about 25 -35 dB down so it is not easy.


VSAT CONFIGURATION

Most VSAT networks are configured in one of these topologies:

A star topology, using a central uplink site, such as a network operations center (NOC), to transport data back and forth to each VSAT terminal via satellite, Data sent to the


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_operations_center

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_topology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology

VSAT terminal from the data terminal equipment (DTEs) is buffered and transmitted to the hub in packets.

Hub Station

A mesh topology, where each VSAT terminal relays data via satellite to another terminal by

acting as a hub, minimizing the need for a centralized uplink site,


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesh_topology

A combination of both star and mesh topologies. Some VSAT networks are configured by

having several centralized uplink sites (and VSAT terminals stemming from it) connected in

a multi-star topology with each star (and each terminal in each star) connected to each other

in a mesh topology. Others configured in only a single star topology sometimes will have

each terminal connected to each other as well, resulting in each terminal acting as a central

hub. These configurations are utilized to minimize the overall cost of the network, and to

alleviate the amount of data that has to be relayed through a central uplink site (or sites) of a

star or multi-star network.

Constituent parts of a VSAT configuration

Antenna

Block up converter (BUC)

Low-noise block converter (LNB)

Ortho-mode transducer (OMT)

Inter facility Link Cable (IFL)

Indoor unit (IDU)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_unit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interfacility_Link_Cable

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthomode_transducer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-noise_block_converter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_upconverter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_(radio)

TROUBLESHOOTING VSAT

The Satcom troubleshooting process is similar to troubleshooting in many other domains. It can

be decomposed into the following three parts:

1. Fault Detection:

Identifying that some part of the network has a problem (yet not knowing what the

problem is).

2. Diagnosis Creation:

Investigation of the problem to identify the root cause (what is the problem?).

3. Solution Deployment:

Once the root cause of problems has been identified, a solution has to be deployed onto

the system.


THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF INTERWEB SATCOM LTD


PRESIDENT/CEO

GM MARKETIN

G

MARKETING EXECUTIVE

1

MARKETING EXCUTIVE 2

GM TECHNICAL

VSAT/NETWORKI

NG ENGINEER

MANAGER ACCOUNTS

CASHIER

VSAT ADMINISTRAT

OR

CUSTOMER CARE/ FRONT

DESK

IT SSTUDENT/CO

RPER

MANAGER PERSONNEL

& ADMIN

STORE

CHAPTER TWO

EXPERIENCE GAINED

About VSAT

VSAT means Very Small Aperture Terminal and is one of the intermediate steps of the general

trend in earth station size reduction that has been observed in satellite communications since the

launch of the first communication satellites in the mid 1960s. VSATs are at the lower end of the

product line. At the higher end are large stations that support large capacity satellite links. At the

lower end are the VSATs. These are small station with antenna diameters from 2.4 meters down

to 45 centimeters, hence ‘small aperture’ which is in reference to the area of the antenna. These

stations cannot support satellite links with large capacities however they are cheap and are easy

to install. Typically their capacity is in the range of a few tens of kb/s. VSATs are available at

ones premises and this avoids the need to use public network links to access the earth station.

The user can directly plug the VSAT equipment into their communication terminals, such as

telephone, video or personal computer. As such VSATs operate in the Ku band and C band

frequencies. As a rule of thumb C- band (which suffers less from rain attenuation but requires

larger antennas) is used in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Ku-band (which can use smaller

antennas but suffers from rain fade in monsoon like downpour)is used in Europe and North

America. Interactive antenna sizes range from 75 centimeters to 1.8 meters for Ku-band and C-

band from 1.8 meters to 2.4 meters. One way systems can use antennas as small as 45

centimeters.

Why Satellite Communications?

•Huge Geographical Coverage

•No „line-of-site‟ problems

•Extremely reliable (99.9% Up time)

•Reliable data broadcast or multicast


•Single Vendor

•Easy to deploy

•Supports multiple applications:

•Video

•Data

•Voice

WHY VSAT, WHAT ARE VSAT NETWORKS, THE DEMAND FOR VSAT NETWORKS

THE USERS

Any requirements for connectivity in remote areas or areas where other technologies cannot

provide services are prime targets for the use of VSAT technologies.

The user list is long and detailed but can be grouped as follows according to the types of ICT

services required.

ONE-WAY VSAT SERVICES

The delivery of television broadcasting direct to end-user through the use of Direct-to-home

(DTH) services is the obvious one that everyone knows about. But there are others and the

following list is a sample of where one-way VSAT services are used:

• Stock market and other closed user group information broadcasting

• Distance education and continued education services for large corporate companies

• The distribution of financial analysis services in real time

• The distribution of market information to remote offices located in geographically dispersed

locations


• The updating of market related information, the distribution of new product catalogues and

pricing information to outlets in the retail industries.

• The distribution of audio broadcasting services in shops and public areas

• The introduction of DAB services even direct to end-users (GlobalStar)

• The distribution of financial analysis services in real time

• The relay of advertising material to shops and direct to electronic signs

• The relay of information to motor vehicle drivers along highways

ONE-WAY VSAT SERVICES

By far the most significant applications are those that allow for two-way communication via

satellite, especially in areas considered to be rural or so remote that normal ICT services are not

possible.

The most extreme examples available are the delivery of modern ICT services to places such as

the Antarctic and to shops at sea using two-way VSAT systems. These so-called Earth Stations

on Vessels (ESV's) are now able to maintain all the normal services available on land. The

demand for ESV services on cruise ships extends to the delivery of:

• Normal voice, fax and data connectivity

• Access to internet services and the WWW

• The provision of connectivity to the cellular industry so that mobile GSM services remain

active even on the oceans.


The list below is some of the more traditional applications for two-way VSAT systems.

• Interactive computer transaction services

• Low rate video conferencing

• High rate real time video monitoring services (e.g. the control of undersea diamond mining

operations from land based security centres).

• Database enquiry services

• Bank transactions and ATM services in remote locations

• Tourism reservation systems

• Distributed process control systems especially in the oil industries

• Distributed telemetry systems used for monitoring power networks, water management

systems, traffic control on highways and disaster monitoring systems

• Voice, data, fax communication services in rural areas

• Telecenters, Cybercafes

• Emergency services

• Electronic funds transfer services direct at point of sale

• E-mail systems

• Medical data transfer and distance or tele-medicine

• Sales monitoring and stock control

• Satellite news gathering services

• The provision of Wide Area Networks (WAN's) and the extension of LAN's to remote

locations

• Large ICT networks for embassies


VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) is a satellite technology that enables real-time broadband

communication in areas where traditional terrestrial infrastructure is not available or has

limitations. Satellite networks are comprised of space segment, hubs and remote site equipment.

Space Segment

The satellites' transponders receive signals from the earth, amplify them, and then retransmit the

signals back to earth. Example, CapRock leases space segment on over forty satellites around the

globe to provide these connections. This enables CapRock to choose satellites based on the

coverage requirements and technical fit that best meets the specific customer needs.

Hubs

The hub or master earth station, which includes an antenna typically larger than 4.5 meters in

diameter, controls the operation of the network. Several hubs operated on the same site are

referred to as a teleport.

Remote Site Equipment

The remote site equipment is used to connect the client's local area and telephone networks to

other networks over satellite (e.g. corporate Internet). The outdoor equipment including the

antenna and the transmission gear is referred to as the VSAT terminal. Different antenna types

are deployed based on whether customers' operations are on land or at sea or require fixed or

transportable configurations. The indoor equipment includes the network gateway (i.e. satellite,


modem, Ethernet switch and router) that provides the interface for the connection of phones, fax

machines and computers.

How the VSAT Equipment function

The Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) is a satellite communications device that allows

reliable data transmission via satellite using small antennas of 0.9 to 1.9 meters which is about

3.7 feet. VSAT is a plug and play device.

VSAT has got terminals arranged in a star configuration into the central hub station that is

connected to the host computer. Communication between the terminals has to pass through the

network central hub processor. The VSAT technology does not send signal to each other or there

is no direct communication between VSAT devices without a hub

The hub consist of three elements namely Radio Frequency Terminal (RTF), VSAT hub base-

band equipment and the user interface

VSAT is the most fastest technology compare to point to point connection, or dial up connection

due to the fact that VSAT deploy the use of procedure to make connection which other

communication system either don’t have or are not reliable.

The VSAT entire network has got a satellite, main hub with an antenna measuring A5 to

11metres. VSAT configuration is made up of two segment , where one segment is known as

the earth segment - this segment has equipment both at the central hub and at the remote

locations, the other segment is known as the space segment – VSAT pace segment is link to and

from the satellite

Satellite segments in the sky serves as a radio frequency repeater, when VSAT send information

to the satellites in the sky, it is received, amplify the information and retransmit on a higher

frequency. As the information is being transmitted, much of the work is done in the ground

where the hub controls and regulates the entire operation of the communication network

A hub in VSAT network consist of Network Management System(NMS) which accumulates

data on the system giving the system health check, and providing billing information. In VSAT


network to operate it has to be in a position of geostationary orbit, which is relatively high from

the ground normally around 38,800km from the equator.

There has to be a remote terminal which consists of two units one placed outdoor directly

connected to the satellite while one placed indoors and connected to the user devices.

When connecting the VSAT network, the central hub is located near the user’s main office or at

the central location where the host computer is. The hub normally enables the connection via

satellite of all the VSAT terminals within the network and any other communication from host to

the VSAT.

ANTENNA TYPES

Common Antennas in use:

Prodelin Channel Master

PRODELIN: Feed can be assembled to cross-pol or Parallel RHCP or LHCP


CHANNEL MASTER: Feed can be only Cross-pol or only Parallel RHCP or LHCP are reversed

The feed for the two common dish sizes i.e. 1.8 meter and 2.4 meter is identical.

The many uses of VSAT technology today

Another common question is "What is VSAT equipment used for today?" Satellite

communications have really become a daily part of life and many people do not even realize it,

even if you do not include satellite television receivers. There are many uses for VSAT

technology. Some of the most common include:


POINT OF SALE SYSTEMS (THIS IS WHY YOU SEE VSATS ON GAS STATIONS)

INTERNET ACCESS

TELECONFERENCING

BROADCASTING (MANY TV STATION HAVE VSAT EQUIPPED VANS)

ADVANTAGES OF VSAT TECHNOLOGY

As companies compete for an increasingly savvy customer looking for value (quality and

service), information technology and communications networks are becoming tools to achieve

business goals. Today's networks must support the need to improve customer service, increase

per site revenues and reduce costs (all driving net income growth) - in the most cost-effective

manner possible. Further, network managers want virtual 100% availability. They need to easily

expand the network when they acquire, move or add new sites to the operations. In addition, they

require network flexibility - ease of migration from existing legacy systems as well as addition of

new network applications as their companies offer additional services to its customers

Businesses and organizations give many reasons for using VSAT networks over terrestrial

alternatives. Among them are:

Cost-effective

Flexibility

Accessibility

Availability

Reliability

Versatility

Transmission quality

High network performance


Fast transmissions

Control

Ability to handle large amounts of data

Single vendor solution for both equipment and bandwidth

Broadcast capability

Ability to handle Voice, Video and Data

DISADVANTAGES

However like all systems there are disadvantages also. Some of these are

• High start-up costs (hubs and basic elements must be in place before the services can be

provided)

• Lack of adequate coverage in some parts of the world (Africa is the last continent that does not

have dedicated GSO satellite bandwidth available that will allow single satellite connectivity

anywhere on the continent).

• Higher than normal risk profiles

• Severe regulatory restrictions imposed by countries that prevent VSAT networks and solutions

from reaching critical mass and therefore profitability

• Some service quality limitations such the high signal delays (latency)

• Natural availability limits that cannot be mitigated against

• Lack of skills required in the developing world to design, install and maintain satellite

communication systems adequately


Some of these limitations and disadvantages are nothing else than opportunities that can be

overcome.

The values derived by end-users

End-users derive value from VSAT networks in a number of ways. Some of these are:

• Lowered overall per unit connectivity costs

• Improved total ICT network performance

• Loss mitigation under network failure conditions

• Improved response times to major business failures because of improved connectivity.

• Increased market share and increased revenues for companies large and small

• Improved provision of essential services by governments especially in remote areas

• Improved quality of life for all the people of a country as a result of increased economic

activity

• Improved response to emergency situations as satellite systems can be restored quickly and

effectively


CHAPTER THREE

CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

The first challenge I faced is that of placement. I could not get a place for my Industrial Training

until after a month, because most organizations do not accept IT students. Some organizations

said that they do not accept IT students.

Secondly I faced the challenge of not being able to carry dishes or to align it to the satellite

because I am a lady and I am not strong enough to carry the dish like the men despite the fact

that I wanted to do it.

However being the only lady in the technical department for some months before another lady on

IT joined, I could not travel out of Abuja with the other Engineers to work on sites because it

wasn’t safe. If I was to go and anything happens, the organization would not be held responsible.


CHAPTER FOUR

OBSERVATIONS

Safety Equipments

The Technical department lacks safety equipment which will protect them while they work on

site.

Staff Response

The staff responds quickly when necessary and they all know what is required of them and they

do it well. It’s a good thing which they should keep up with.

Bonuses

I observed that workers are not being rewarded or given bonuses for their performances.

Prices

The bandwidth prices are affordable and almost any organization can afford to pay for the

services.

Equipments

I found out that equipments are sold with about 6months warranty. It is a good way of making

customers knows that the equipments are of good quality.

Customer satisfaction

Customers have complained about the speed and some of feel like they are not being assigned

the bandwidth they pay for, therefore some of them don’t pay on time.

Staff welfare

I observed that the staff is not being paid on time; they end up borrowing before they are paid

which is not the best. This makes it uncomfortable for them to work freely with joy.

Staff leave


I noticed that most of the staff has not taken a break or leave. This can wear them out and the

way they will work will not be their best.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Safety Equipment

Items like safety boots, helmets, ladder, gloves, and even a first aid box will be of great help

especially to the engineers. Safety is very important because only safe and healthy workers can

make an organization grow.

Bonuses

It will be great if the workers are given bonuses as a reward for their good work. It could be in

the form of an end of year celebration in which awards are given to workers who have merited it

in different categories such as the best worker of the year and so on. Or anybody that does a good

job can be rewarded immediately. This will enable the workers to work harder and perform

better.

Customer Satisfaction

I believe an increase in bandwidth will bring about customer satisfaction and eventually more

customers to the organization. And when customers increase, the bandwidth they share should

equally be increased in such a way that they will be satisfied and won’t have to complain about

speed or insufficient bandwidth. Customers who have subscribed with interweb for about 5 years

could be given a gift in order to boost their morale and make them to keep subscribing and also

to pay on time.

Staff Welfare

The welfare of staff is very important in the sense that when the staff is well cared for they

perform better and produce more because good welfare is a great motivation to staff. They need

to be comfortable in order to perform better. For example, they could be paid on time and Items

could be shared to the staff at the end of the year like, beverages, toiletries, etc.

Staff Leave


The staff should also be allowed to go on leave. It could be a minimum of a week and at most a

month in order for the staff to be able to rest and refresh themselves, so that by the time they

come back from the leave, they will attack the work with so much energy and the output will be

great.

Prices

Since the bandwidth prices are affordable, marketing can be done across local government areas

for more customers to subscribe and boost the growth of the organization.


CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, SIWES has really being a work experience and an eye opener to undergraduates. I

now understand how the corporate world is and some of the things to expect when I am through

with school. I have being able to see the real life application of some of the things I have being

thought in class. The SIWES programe aids students to think better and it broadens their

knowledge on some key things. SIWES has also thought me a whole lot of new things that can’t

be taught in normal everyday classes because of time constraint and other factors that are

inevitable.

The Nigerian University Commission (NUC) in conjunction with the Federal Government has

done a great job in introducing the SIWES program in universities and keeping it going. There is

nothing that has an advantage without a disadvantage except God of course. The disadvantages

are there as challenges so that they can be solved or improved upon, if not many things would be

stagnant and we all know that there is nothing stagnant or constant in life except change. This

brings me to some challenges of SIWES.

The major challenge that students face is that of placement. Many organizations don’t accept

SIWES students due to some funny reasons like there is no vacancy and so on. I wouldn’t mind

if the Federal Government intervene and maybe enlighten organizations on the importance of the

SIWES program to undergraduates.

Another challenge is that of payment. Organizations don’t really have to pay the SIWES students

much, but they should at least pay them enough to cover their transportation. This is because not

everyone has enough for transportation and most people do think of how to save for their school

fees and other things and that is why some students don’t resume on time.


Notwithstanding, SIWES in general has being really helpful. I am sure it will be of greater help

to me and my colleagues when we are working on our final project and when we go out there. It

has also created a pathway for us to fly as eagles.

CHAPTER SIX

CHALLENGES AS FACED BY SIWES INDUSTRY

Size of bandwidth

The organization those not have a large bandwidth pool which will satisfy the consumers. This

makes most customers to complain.

Competition

Interweb has to compete with other ISPs for the market, because most ISPs deal with VSAT

technology due to the disadvantages of other satellite communications.

Increased market demand

The demand for satellite communication has increased to the level in which most ISPs are

finding it difficult to meet up with and interweb is one of them.

Cost of bandwidth

The cost of purchasing bandwidth is very high and some organizations have wrapped up due to

that effect. Interweb is equally finding it difficult to keep up with it as the demand for bandwidth

is increasing.

Movement in trend of satellite communication

Communication is taking another trend. Fiber optics is gradually taking over the market,

therefore it is a treat to the other means of satellite communication especially VSAT.

Safety Equipments

The Technical department lacks safety equipment which will protect them while they work on

site.

Bonuses


The workers are not being rewarded or given bonuses for their performances. This is one

important aspect to be looked into as rewards and bonuses are one of the driving forces for staff

in an organization

Staff welfare

The staff is not being paid on time; they end up borrowing before they are paid which is not the

best. This makes it uncomfortable for them to work freely with joy. When a staff is frustrated

and unhappy, his/her output won’t be good enough and this area should be handle with care, if

not this can cause the staff to look elsewhere for another job or even steal the organizations

funds.

Staff leave

Most of the staff has not taken a break or leave. This can wear them out and the way they will

work will not be their best. Machines do rest, why won’t a human being rest as well in order to

get more energy to work better.


Date post:	26-Oct-2014
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Report on Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme

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