Gateway
upgrades its network to improve quality, efficiency and reliability
DVB-S2
is a step change in the technology used for broadcast and VSAT terminals.
Before we get into the technology, what does it mean for customers?
Upgrading to
a DVB-S2 network will mean improvements in the way we use our backbone
and utilise bandwidth. It will allow Gateway to provide a high-quality
service to customers, with high-level availability in an efficient
manner.
We are currently
transitioning more than 1,000 customers on to the new network, initially
across west Africa, where our corporate customers, from banks to
embassies, will switch across seamlessly, with no service interruption.
Behind the scenes, however, there's been a tremendous amount of
time and effort put in over the last few months to guarantee success.
And
now for the technology, you might want to skip this next paragraph
if you prefer the "soft sciences". The original Digital
Video Broadcasting standard for satellite was ratified in 1994,
but used older algorithms and methods. The new second generation
standard was developed in 2003 and ratified in 2005. Extensive tests
show that DVB-S systems can deliver a 30 percent improvement in
bandwidth efficiency. Gateway's delivered solution will secure an
additional gain of 50 percent through Adaptive Coding and Modulation
(ACM - the ability to change encoding parameters in real time),
an advanced feature of the DVB-S2 standard.
This
is only part of our mission to serve customers better, drive down
costs and support new applications that the corporate world relies
on, such as virtual private networks (VPN), voice over IP (VoIP),
videoconferencing, secure data networks, point of sale, and multimedia.
This project
is testament to our commitment to delivering the best telecommunications
infrastructure and most innovative products and services as part
of a total communications solution for Africa.
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Belgium