The addition of Gilat‘s SkyAbis cellular backhaul solution has enabled TFL‘s expansion of CDMA services to regions where it such not economically feasible to do so before. Remote islands are now able to receive high-quality mobile voice and data services similar to those offered in the rest of Fiji. The expansion followed TFL’s successful deployment and operation of a Gilat SkyEdge network which provides a number of diverse services and
applications in the remote Fiji islands. TFL provides high-speed IP services to more than 120 remote villages and private resorts throughout Fiji as a DSL alternative, where there is no terrestrial infrastructure. In addition, solar powered SkyEdge VSATs provide rural services to villages that previously had no telephony connectivity. The network also includes a mobile vehicle-mounted VSAT solution to provide a high-speed communication link for emergency response.
Gilat’s SkyAbis is a prepackaged solution for cellular backhaul, based on the SkyEdge multi-service platform. The solution enables operators to deploy hybrid networks that extend the reach of their terrestrial and cellular infrastructure to remote communities. SkyAbis features traffic optimization and dynamic bandwidth allocation for CDMA/GSM backhaul, with much higher space-segment efficiencies when compared to SCPC. TFL is also in the process of exploring future network options for distance learning, community health care and corporate networking applications throughout the island chain. TFL together with the Fiji Ministry of Education announced their plans for a Distance Learning trial to begin during the first semester of 2009, which will use Gilat’s SkyEdge network to provide access to specialized teacher training in remote classrooms.
