Gilat Satcom, a leading provider of satellite and fibre-based connectivity services in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, has announced a new system which will provide high-quality voice connectivity to people working in underground mines.
Traditionally communication with underground workers has been via temporary coax cables which are prone to damage and unsuitable for many locations. Gilat Satcom’s SuricatePRO service provides coverage extension for standard satellite phones extending telephony underground without loss of signal quality.
SuricatePRO takes advantage of Foxcom’s leading RF-over-fibre technology. To enjoy the benefits of SuricatePRO, customers need only to install outdoor and indoor units connected via fibre (up to 6 km). Immediately, Iridium satphone users in the room can access the Iridium constellation as if they had clear sky view.
The company has been providing a similar system to underground bunkers operated by military forces around the world for a number of years. It has adapted this system to cope with the harsh conditions found at many mines.
Dan Zajicek, CEO of Gilat Satcom said, “Communicating with workers in underground mines has always been problematical. Our system is extremely reliable, cost-effective and market-proven. We are actively reaching out to mining companies in Africa where we know our system will be of great benefit.”
About Gilat Satcom
Gilat Satcom is a communication solutions provider that offers satellite and fibre-based connectivity solutions in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. With successful deployments in 50 countries, Gilat Satcom consistently deliver high-quality, cost-effective and efficient communications solutions to telcos, ISPs, governments, enterprise customers and international organisations.
The company operates three international teleports in Europe and the Middle East, fourteen hubs/PoPs in Africa and two PoPs in Europe. In addition, Gilat Satcom is a shareholder in WIOCC, owners of the East African Submarine System (EASSy), and in the West Africa Cable System (WACS), with undersea fibre-optic cable systems connecting eastern and western Africa to the rest of the world. The company provides space segments over numerous satellites including Intelsat, Telesat, Hellas Sat, ABS, SES-NewSkies and others.