Our Technology
GSM Rural Extension and Fixed-Line Extension
GSM RURAL EXTENSIOIN
RascomStar provides a fully integrated GSM service solution comprising of a seamless integration of satellite and GSM technologies functioning as an extension of the local Mobile Network Operators network.
All rural GSM service delivery, operations and maintenance up to the MNO core network interconnect are managed by Rascomstar and their service partners
Network Architecture
Rascom provides a fully integrated GSM service solution comprising of a seamless integration of satellite and GSM technologies functioning as an extension of the local Mobile Network Operators network.
The value proposition for the GSM subscriber is:
A completely standard GSM cell-phone and Sim card can be used.
Direct access to the MNO network in a rural location using standard dialing numbers[no special dialing codes or prefixes required].
Re-charge of pre-pay credit can be done as normal with standard MNO recharge cards.
All standard MNO services are available – Voices, SMS, USSD and Data [Edge @ 2.7 G] plus the designated MNO service codes for technical support from the MNO.
In summary, the Rascom GSM service solution is entirely seamless for the local subscriber in a rural location.
The benefits for the MNO/GSM Operator are:-
Provision of the rural GSM site is entirely managed by Rascom.
All rural GSM service delivery, operations and maintenance up to the MNO core network interconnect are managed by Rascom and their service partners
All Rural Extension GSM Service technical support and development is provided by Rascom and their technology partners.
All Internationally Approved GSM technical standards are fully maintained in the Rural Extension GSM Service design and operation
This Rascom service is designed for fixed line telephony (PSTN) in rural, remote and low penetration areas. Subscribers in under-served areas (villages of several hundred inhabitants) can access the Rascom satellite via our rural terminals, to become connected to the public switched telecom network or other terminals with in the same network. A high-speed internet access option is available. The telecom operator is billed on a per minute of effective traffic; the services are managed by Rascom through its network stations, which are responsible for the overall management of the GTS (Ground Telecom System) including:
Call routing and coordination of all call set-up and tear-down protocols
Maintenance support and fault diagnostic
Billing to telecom operator is according to contract.
The system has been especially adapted to connect tens of thousands of terminals installed in villages and / or small cities to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
The system supports pre-paid and post-paid accounts, calling cards and pay phones.
As meshed connections are supported, users in villages are able to communicate simultaneously with users in the public switched telephone network via different Gateways, as well as with other locations (e.g. users in neighboring villages) equipped with the same system.
All communications are established dynamically for the duration of each individual call; satellite resources are only allocated for the duration of each call and returned to the bandwidth pool at the end of each call.
Remote Site Equipment
Rascom terminals are specifically engineered for easy installation in remote areas, in harsh environmental conditions, including situations where there is no energy available.
s such, in their base versions they consist of low power stand-alone VSATs equipped with 4 lines and 1.2m dishes that can be powered from small solar panels. All base unit equipment is designed for outdoor installation and does not require any additional shelters.
The installation process is quick and simple, and does not require sophisticated installation equipment.
Rascom terminals consist of the following components:
Block up converter (BUC): 0,5W or 3W
Low noise block converter (LNB)
Baseband block (base version):
Features of the Rascom terminal:
- 4 standard telephone line interfaces, which can be used to connect to standard phones or pay-phones.
- An additional line can be set up to connect to a facsimile machine or telephone data-modem
A standard telephone line can also be configured to support telephone cards. Callers using telephone cards hear voice prompts e.g. enter PIN number, enter destination number etc. when initiating a call.
A Rascom terminal provides the choice of two languages, for the voice prompts at the start of each call. A telephone operator selects which two languages are to be supported by the Rascom terminal.
The base band block also includes an optional L-band interface, which can be used to connect an external DVB-S receiver.