Karoo farmers in the area of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be able to access affordable broadband that won’t interfere with the sensitive radio telescopes used by both the existing MeerKAT and upcoming SKA projects.
Because the radio telescopes are sensitive to radio frequency, traditional cellular communications needs to be limited in the area.
Valanthan Munsami, chief specialist: astronomy and African Space science at the Department of Science and Technology, explains that regulations either exist or are being promulgated to protect the area around the SKA site.
This Astronomy Geographic Advantage identifies areas where radio frequency needs to be limited.
“This means we have to look at alternative communications to protect the investment we’ve made in astronomy and that interference to radio transmission is minimised,” he says.
Adrian Tiplady, site bid manager at SKA, points out that a radio telescope is extremely sensitive and can be damaged by radio interference – including that from cell phones and wireless laptops.
“The Karoo was identified as the best place in the world for these radio frequency telescopes in part because of the low population density and the low presence of radio interference,” he says.
“So part of the responsibility for hosting the SKA project means we have to protect the radio frequency integrity.”
One of these measures is the alternative communications programme, which looks to establish communications in a way that is radio astronomy friendly.
“It’s important that we establish communications services in the area, in a managed way that ensure there is no risk to radio astronomy, either MeerKAT or the international SKA project.”
Selaelo Matlhane, spectrum and alternative telecoms manager at the SKA, says four satellite operators were identified as being able to provide a service that won’t interfere with the radio telescopes.
Vox Telecom was then chosen as the supplier able to offer the most cost-effective service for residents in the area, and the SKA entered into a joint venture to roll out services in the Karoo areas surrounding the SKA project.
Vox Telecom will actively sell services in the area, billing the users for usage only. The SKA will cover the cost of capital equipment and installation.
This will result in a very cost-effective service for Karoo farmers, Matlhane says, and it’s to be hoped that other network providers will adjust their pricing in response.
Jacques Visser, senior product manager at Vox Telecom, says the company has worked with upstream providers to be able to offer such a cost-effective service specifically designed for rural South Africa.
“I think we have succeeded,” he says. “We have rolled out 4 500 data solutions so far, half of them with voice over that. Now it’s time to show the results in the Karoo.”
Satellite is an ideal solution for the Karoo, he says, where weather conditions are favourable, while satellite is a very reliable solution.
The service being offered in the areas surrounding the SKA project is 2Gb of data for R119 per month; and a voice telephone line for an additional R185 per month. Telephony rates are competitive, Visser adds.
User swill save about R3 500.00, which is the equipment and installation cost subsidised by the SKA.
Obviously the Karoo fits the satellite well in terms of weather conditions. Satellite is a highly reliable solution.
“We are ready to roll out the service,” Visser adds. “We have positioned field series in the area; have started with training; and started pushing logistics to the areas, while the pre-sales preparation has started.”