Johannesburg, 22 Dec 2010
The immediate future of key areas of South African and African telecommunication services, such as VSAT, looks promising. This is according to, a South Africa-based provider of turnkey solutions covering specialist areas of telecommunications and ICT.
De Wet points to an expected increase in deregulation of these services which he believes will stimulate activity and growth.
“We anticipate the introduction of more active operators and this will drive service development and price competitiveness. This is positive and will support opportunities for growth,” says De Wet.
He also refers to recent developments within the domestic VSAT market, and across Africa, particularly the number of satellite launches that have been completed and those that have been scheduled.
“Our viewpoint is that this will open up the market significantly and enable a more flexible growth of services. Capacity will become more available with more market-orientated terms, which is also encouraging,” De Wet adds.
To capitalise on this opportunity and progressive environment, and add value, Q-KON management is planning to introduce two new services in the market.
The first is a low-cost consumer VSAT product that will deliver direct-to-home Internet, delivering broadband to the consumer market. The second is a high-end specialised solution that will enable cloud computing over satellite.
“Our feeling is that the timing of these services could not be better,” says De Wet. “VSAT services will increase in significance and relevance, and will continue to be seen as a solution to meet the demand for connectivity in Africa. Whilst the first option will always be fibre, the volume of demand for immediate services means that the market is not always in a position to wait for fibre.”
“It is important to place the growth of the satellite space in context. This specific area of the market has been limited within Africa over the past three years and this has held back the development of platforms servicing the continent. The fact that Internet access has been expensive and limited, compounded the problem and retarded opportunity for local VSAT hub projects, leading to limited supply in the market,” adds De Wet.
The situation is changing rapidly and in terms of the implications of an increase in VSAT service delivery and activity, De Wet says VSAT is really the 'anywhere' solution for communication.
“The only limitations or constraints on this technology are really perception and cost, both of which will be greatly improved next year. Extended fibre networks coming into Africa will, against all expectations, only grow the demand for VSAT services. With Internet access now becoming affordable in the capital cities, implementing VSAT hubs for broadband and corporate connectivity is more feasible. This drive will make VSAT more readily available in all markets which will drive the adaptation,” De Wet continues.
As an engineering house Q-KON is focused on eliminating business constrains of VSAT technologies. According to De Wet the rollout of a low-end consumer product is a first for the industry and helps entrench the company's position at the forefront of satellite technology evolution in Africa.
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