Accessible and affordable broadband Internet connectivity can be achieved through an infrastructure network that uses geostationary satellite technology to provide connectivity, says local satellite operator MzansiSat CEO Bart Cilliers.

A study by Point Topic reveals that asymmetric digital subscriber line and fibre prices in South Africa are the sixteenth-most-expensive in the world out of 80 countries surveyed.

Cilliers notes that satellites are the only reliable and time-efficient short-term solution to expanding broadband access on a national level.

MzansiSat aims to launch a South African-owned and -operated geostationary satellite – MzansiSat-1 – by 2022, but the company is struggling to secure regulatory approval. It is also hoping for public-sector buy-in, he adds.

Geostationary satellites provide connectivity with a latency of 240 ms to 280 ms, which is suitable for most consumer and personal uses. However, such satellites provide low-cost broadband connectivity over a large area.

“We have been working on this concept since 2013, with the primary goal of connecting South Africa to the world through new infrastructure anchored by the first South African-owned and -operated telecommunications satellite,” confirms Cilliers.

Once the satellite is launched, fast, cheap satellite Internet at competitive prices, and with military-grade encryption, will be a reality, ensuring greater access to technology and connectivity, he says.

Additionally, the infrastructure required to provide the service has the potential to add new services and sectors to African economies. Users will pay for their own connection services in this model.

The infrastructure surrounding the MzansiSat concept will improve the value of South Africa’s telecommunications industry and supports the national broadband development framework, says MzansiSat CTO Bernard Greyling.

It will also facilitate easy sharing of applications and services with the public beyond the almost immediate value to the public achieved by providing affordable connections, he explains.

Connectivity is an essential component of Africa’s development, says Cilliers, with Internet access vital to a range of industries. Apart from its indispensable role in industry, reliable Internet can be used by governments to provide better services for citizens, as well as improve the quality of people’s lives.

Satellite Internet systems have low upfront and running costs and high reliability, which provides resilience and independence from existing infrastructure, he concludes.