Telenor Satellite Tracking is expanding its operations with a new office in Johannesburg, South Africa. A leading global provider of satellite tracking and telemetry services, the company already has a growing customer base in southern Africa.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Oslo-based Telenor Satellite Services & TV Distribution, Europe's third largest satellite service provider, Telenor Satellite Tracking (TST) specialises in the wireless tracking of vessels, trucks and containers. Their systems can also be used to transmit data from security and fire alarms, electronic system monitors and environmental sensors.
Using a TST application, customers can track or monitor an asset anywhere in the world from a user-friendly Internet site. TST's systems are unique in that the remote data can be transmitted via any of three communication platforms:
* INMARSAT geo-stationary satellites.
* ORBCOMM low earth orbit satellites.
* GSM cellular networks.
Tremendous potential
Based in Dublin, Ireland, TST opted to build up the Johannesburg office because so much of its new business in recent months has been in the region. "We see tremendous potential for our services here," says Simon Illingworth, TST's Managing Director. "A great deal of South Africa's commerce is based on the extraction of valuable gems and minerals, which are mined in remote areas and then transported under high security. South Africa also has substantial fishing and shipping industries."
In addition, Telenor Satellite sees the new office as a regional base in southern Africa for developing several of its other services including VSAT satellite networks, data broadcasting, telecom gateways, satellite Internet backbone access, VoIP services and INMARSAT maritime and land mobile communication.
"To keep up with the continent's economic growth, Africa's banking and retail sector is in an exciting phase of development and satellite networks are perfect for their needs," says Jarle V. Traavik in Telenor's Satellite Networks division. "A VSAT network is a very cost-effective way to link multinational sites together, especially when some of the sites are in areas where terrestrial communications infrastructure is underdeveloped or expensive to use."
Satellite tracking
Illingworth says that Telenor Satellite intends to develop the newly-established Telenor Satellite Tracking in Johannesburg into a centre of excellence for satellite tracking, both by recruiting highly qualified staff and providing local training programmes: "Africa's challenging geography provides the perfect backdrop for developing world-class satellite communications skills and we hope to play a part in this process."
For details contact Simon Illingworth, Group Managing Director of Telenor Satellite Tracking on tel: (011) 463 3888, fax: (011) 463 8350, or e-mail: [email protected]
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.
printer friendly version