Satellite broadband to provide platform for electoral assistance and training in developing nations

Newtec, a world-leading innovator in the satellite and communications industry, has today announced a further success for its award winning satellite triple play system, Sat3Play®. This low cost satellite based broadband access technology plays a key role within the SatElections platform offering an e-training programme on electoral assistance and electoral administration for emerging democracies. The SatElections project which is part of an international effort on electoral assistance initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Commission and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), received full support from the European Space Agency (ESA) for its pilot phase.
 
SatElections aims to provide an efficient, sustainable and scalable solution to support African electoral cycles. Sat3Play® was chosen due to the suitability of its low cost and easy to install terminals.

The SatElections pilot will be rolled out in the Democratic Republic of Congo in cooperation with the Independent Electoral Committee of the DRC. As the DRC has to organize its new important electoral cycle of 2008-2011, the SatElections platform will be demonstrated in a real case environment.

Newtec CEO, Serge Van Herck, said: “We have been a preferred partner of the ESA for several years, working with them to develop innovative and commercially interesting products and solutions. However within this role we also felt it was important to promote satellite use also for the benefit of sustainable economic and social development policies and in particular in support of developing countries. With its low cost and easy installation, Sat3Play® is an ideal solution to introduce satellite communications to a country such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

“We feel very honoured to be partner in a project of such a strategic importance with the involvement of so many leading organisations. The satellite industry is growing very fast and evolving into a highly versatile means of communication, which could help to significantly improve access to technology in developing countries,” concluded Van Herck.

Vital co-funding for this project has also been provided by the governments of Belgium, Italy and Luxemburg.  The training content and the E-learning applications based on the Administra Training Platform are provided by Openet Technologies S.p.A., while SES ASTRA will provide the Ku-band capacity for the project using the Southern African beam of its NSS7 satellite and operate the Sat3Play® Hub from the NOC in Betzdorf. 

Newtec is set to install the Sat3Play® hub in Washington at the SES NEW SKIES Teleport during April and May and it will also assist with the integration of the e-learning applications and Sat3Play® installation training of the local partner in the DRC. The SatElections pilot is scheduled to be up and running by 16th June 2008.

Sat3Play® is part of a broad portfolio of Newtec products for which it has built up a strong reputation for exceptional customer service and product quality. Its range includes high-speed DVB and DVB S2 modulators, Next Generation DVB RCS-based IP Broadband Access Networks, digital TV and radio distribution networks and IP Software.