RE: [NgNOG-discuss] the best alternative to VSAT
I strognly recommend Fiber optic and based on my experience with VSATs and the fact behind it, is that VSAT as a higher rate of failure, when it comes to delay from the satellite in the orbit, but with Fiber, it has a lesser delay making it faster than VSAT.
And based on my findings too, the average cost by connectivity type as in Fibre, wire radiolink wireless VSAT and dial-up - Fiber optic installation is better than VSAT as long the back end will still remain fiber optic.
We need to understand too that the major and only advantage that fiber optic access have over VSAT is in the issue of latency. Latency arises in VSAT network as a result of the following: signals from satellites in orbit reach VSAT antennas after traveling 23,000 miles this causes some delay in getting a signal to a from a satellite in orbit, other causes are delays at routers and other connectivity devices on your way to a particular resource(s) on the Internet. the delay i am talking about here is in microseconds(ms).
Point of notice and consideration, If one have a VSAT and fiber network that has very bad configured routers, there’s bound to be a great problem. A congested route will increase your ping time to be higher no matter your access connection type. So you have to put this things into consideration too.
However we shold note too that Fiber optics cables are expose to damage, and fixing them will be expensive and that is in millions of dollars or naira too (in conversion) and it also takes a lot of time. For instance in pakistan, they had to re-route their connection to the outside world through VSAT, so we need to put that into our mind.
In conclusion, if the laying of lots of kilometers of fiber optics in Nigeria....and the back end is still satelite in the orbit...then the latecy is still going to be the same like the VSAT... but if the back end..is fiber optic though...like SAT3 which is available for Institutions...then either wi-fi or fiber optic between the Hub and the resident...is far quicker than any VSAT.
I rest my case..
RE: [NgNOG-discuss] the best alternative to VSAT
At this point in Nigeria technology evolution, we will be asked by many academics to evaluate the merits of one access technology against an other VSAT, fibre, Laser, WiMax, wi-fi, the list goes on.
The fact remains that it has been left for the private sector to develop Nigeria's communications capacity and decisions makers will need to build capacity before increasing their investment.
When GSM was introduced in 2002, 99% of all trunk circuits went over VSAT. However, after 20+ million subscribers that figure drops to below 55%. Which means that VSAT offers a quick and inexpensive way to market accelerates capacity development, before the high-cost, slow implementation times associated with fibre.
The same will happen in the Broadband sector, ISPs have to build capacity in many areas before they make the invsetment to run a cable from Lokoja to Kafanchan - right now it just does not equate to business sense, but that is not to say we will be the same position in 5 years time.
So for now, an equipment that cost 300,000 Naira to install can provide high-speed access in Lokoja and Kafanchan.
The bandwidth cost is less than 1USD an hour - http://www.hook-me-up.biz/tarrifs.html
And access is available 24/7 365 days a week. A community is connected, no individual is required to maintain bandwidth cost to keep that circuit available, it is always available (just like a GSM base station).
The time will come once capacity has been created in many communities around Nigeria when a cable below or above ground will be able to connect these communities.
The time is just not ripe. So people be pragmatic and not acedemic, build capacity, which drives operators to make investments.
For more information about introducing inexpensive Pay-As-You-Go Internet access to your community, contact info@hook-me-up.biz