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Case Work: Solomons’ Solutions
By Katia Gryadunova, Pactel International Pty Ltd.


Founded in 2003, Pactel International provides enhanced satellite communications solutions for a variety of markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region. One of Pactel’s key advantages lies in its ability to leverage supplier relationships to create reliable, cost-efficient networks for remote sites and rural locations across Australia, Indonesia and Pacific Islands.

pactelfig1 In 2010, Pactel International partnered up with Satellite Solutions Ltd.—a major VSAT network installer in the Pacific region to provide a high-grade telecommunication system to 17 Government locations in the Solomon Islands.

Founded in 2003, Pactel International provides enhanced satellite communications solutions for a variety of markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region. One of Pactel’s key advantages rests with its ability to leverage supplier relationships to create reliable, cost-efficient networks for remote sites and rural locations across Australia, Indonesia and Pacific Islands.

In 2010, Pactel International partnered up with Satellite Solutions Ltd., a major VSAT network installer in the Pacific region, to provide a high-grade telecommunication system to 17 Government locations in the Solomon Islands.

This partnership allowed Pactel to supply a continuous, high quality of service to their customers by upgrading their on-the-ground technology, resulting in ruggedized and longer-lasting equipment at a lower cost.

Project Summary
In October 2010, Pactel International was appointed by SPC to provide the aforementioned VSAT communications system for the Solomon Islands’ Government. Also known as SIG PACRICS, this ongoing project incorporates collaboration between six SIG Ministries. The aim is to install a provincial government network, which will then lay a foundation for efficient e-government communication throughout the provinces.

The project was deployed through SPC’s regional Pacific Rural Internet Connectivity System (PACRICS) program, funded by the Global Health Fund, MHMS, MPGIS, MAL, MEDCOM and RSIPF.

Spread over two phases, the SIG PACRICS project involves installing VSAT terminals at provincial and rural locations where terrestrial communication is not possible. The new satellite system must be shared between 54 offices across PG, health, agriculture, DM, ICTSU and RSIPF ministries.

pactelfig2 Solution
Together with Satellite Solutions, Pactel International developed a sustainable, satellite communications system deployed in the required locations and shared between the various SIG offices. Each office is now equipped with a small VSAT antenna, fully ruggedized to cope with the extreme weather conditions of the Pacific region.

Using its industry-leading expertise in application management and QoS, Pactel international has applied quality of service technology to filter bandwidth-consuming protocols and to ensure a higher priority to mission-critical services, such as e-Learning and online data management applications.

In addition, the system provides user management control that requires users to enter their user name and password to gain Internet access. User management control feature also allows access to Pactel’s customer web portal, where network administrators can monitor individual sites on a continuous basis. The result is a more efficient, reliable, and predictable system for delivering industry-specific solutions over the network.

Results
With 300 public officers now having access to a reliable broadband connection, the Pactel-Satellite Solutions partnership has resulted in improving efficiency of the Solomon Islands’ provincial government and effectiveness of its service delivery:

– E-Literacy training has empowered Government officers in their professional duties and development
– Improved reporting and information management of health services
– Improved agriculture outreach services
– Strengthened policing and law and order services
– More reliable disaster management services
– Improved communications between central government and 54 provincial offices


Satellite Solutions’ expertise assisted in installing the hardware, which is designed to survive in remote locations under harsh weather conditions. The new technology delivers reliable, weather proof, and cost-efficient communications, empowering any user to deliver their services at the highest quality.

“Supplier relationships are vital when it comes to providing sustainable solutions for our customers”, said Andrew Taylor, CEO at Pactel International. “We congratulate Satellite Solutions on the work done throughout the project; the support and the quality of installations on site, which has allowed Pactel to supply quality services to SPC at highly competitive rates”, Taylor added.

Mining Projects
To date, Pactel is leveraging its partnership with Satellite Solutions to supply enhanced telecommunications solutions to the mining sector in the Pacific region, as well. For Pactel, Satellite Solutions’ expertise offers fresh potential to design, install, and support reliable VSAT-based communication systems.

World-renowned exploration companies such as Pacific Porphyry, Newmont and Axiom now have access to a reliable communication system, which provides voice and data services, enabling any company to seamlessly run industry-specific applications.

“All of these projects would not have been possible without the help of Pactel from top to bottom (including Management, Technicians, Purchasing, Administration, Finance, Warehousing and Shipping Staff, etc...). On all the jobs...each one is unique to us here,” said Geoff Allan, Operations manager at Satellite Solutions.

About Satellite Solutions
Founded in 1995, Satellite Solutions provides high-grade digital satellite services for a variety of customers in the Pacific Islands. The Company’s particular specialty is in installing VSAT broadband technology, and providing reliable VOIP, MATV and FFA networks.

About Pactel International
Pactel International delivers high quality, fully customized, VSAT, ToIP (Telephony over IP) and GSM solutions to the Asia-Pacific region. The Company’s solutions are implemented to match clients’ specific telecommunications requirements, from point-to-point links through to fully managed network connections.