BGAN is a 3G-based communications platform which works anywhere via tiny state-of-the-art terminals about half the size of a laptop, tapping into the Inmarsat mobile satellite network. Compared to terrestrial 3G services that cover approximately 15% of South Africa's landmass (and are virtually non-existent in countries further north) BGAN is claimed to provide 100% coverage.
BGAN offers simultaneous phone and mobile data communications for Internet access, video-on-demand, videoconferencing, fax, email and LAN access at speeds of up to 492kbps - compared to typical terrestrial 3G speeds of 384kbps.
Holgate will travel with a BGAN-terminal on his circumnavigation exhibition of Africa, which commences early in 2007, enabling him to stay in constant touch with his support team in South Africa and to update his website.
Holgate's ability to do so is thanks to the appointment of South African-based Evolution Communications as the first Africa distribution partner of Inmarsat, a leading provider of mobile satellite airtime. Evolution will be providing 20 new jobs to historically disadvantaged South Africans and expects to generate revenues in excess of R10m during its first year of operation.
Evolution's sales and customer service operations are managed by The Dialogue Group, one of South Africa's largest call centre operators that recently listed on the JSE Altx, and which will assist the company to expand its business in Africa.
"Evolution Communications aims to become the primary supplier of wholesale satellite airtime in Africa, giving us the opportunity to increase the Inmarsat presence in the region," says Gary Jaftha, spokesman. "Sub-Saharan Africa has some of the world's fastest-growing economies, coupled with some of the poorest terrestrial connectivity on the planet.
Evolution plans to expand its portfolio of services over the coming months in order to provide a one-stop-shop for customers and resellers of satellite services. "Inmarsat will have a handheld service in the near future, which will provide an excellent opportunity to enter new markets," comments Jaftha.
"In time, Evolution will offer a complete portfolio of both fixed and mobile satellite services and we plan to include VSAT and DVB-RCS in our portfolio."
According to Evolution, BGAN terminals can be used indoors and outdoors, being robust enough to withstand challenging environments and extremes of temperature, are compact and lightweight with the smallest terminal weighing less than a kilogram. Terminals can be connected quickly and easily to a laptop or multiple laptops, with users choosing wired or wireless connections, including Bluetooth or WLAN.
