By BOLA NOHO; Post Courier: Tuesday January19, 2010

MORE than 500 people of Nihon Island in Manus Province are the first people from remote places in the country to connect electronically to the outside world. The islanders last Thursday called their island the “first electronic Island” simply because they don’t need to spend about K800 to ferry to Lorengau town to do telephone calls and do the banking.

But they stayed on their island and do telephone calls and banking electronically because the services are facilitated by a Very Small Armature Terminal (VSAT) system install by Telikom PNG Ltd last year.

The banking facility was set up by Bank South Pacific (BSP) on the island in 2004 but people did banking manually by using passbook system, however, when VSAT was installed last year, it enabled them to install electronic funds transfer at point of sales (EFTPOS) facility.

Normally, the Telikom PNG’s VSAT accommodates six lines only to power up the telephones and internet services but to power up the EFTPOS, the Telikom has to add six more lines.

The EFTPOS itself is empowered by software called “Sky Edge” believed to be Israelis military software, which is a compact two way VSAT enabling broadband IP access and is embedded into the VSATs which do not need external boxes, directly from the satellites.

The Nihon Islanders said their lives had been made easier since the services were made available last year unlike the past years.

They said just to have access to these services, they normally spend about K800 a day to go to Lorengau and back and that was too much for them.

But when the services were brought right at their door steps, the islanders said they felt that they were connected to the outside world and their lives were made easier.

They gave credit to Telikom PNG Ltd and BSP’s Sales and Marketing Manager Southern Region, Andrew Bokame who orchestrated the banking facility. 

Mr Bokame who is from Nihon Island said this would enable the islanders to access the telephone and banking facilities rather than going into Lorengau which cost them lots of money for the same services.

The nearby islands which are benefiting from the services are Kali, Bipi, Salian, Andricon, Lessau, Harangan, Korojih, Jowan One and Two, Likum, Nydah, Sori, Bundrahei and Buke.

All the public servants, teachers from private schools and health  centers near islands and main land Manus that are using the services include Tanika, Sahan,Bipi, Lessau, Harangan,Korojih,Bundrahei, Primary and High Schools, Lessau Health Center, Bipi, Kali and Bundrahei aidposts.

The Island is one of the rural areas in the country that is benefitting from Telikom PNG’s rural telecommunication’s VSAT roll out program.

Star Solutions, a global supplier of wireless solutions based on All-IP network architecture, is supplying its All-IP CDMA Network solution to Telikom PNG, the Incumbent Fixed Line Communication Service Provider in Papua New Guinea. The All-IP CDMA Network enables Telikom PNG to deploy voice and broadband data services over an IP based next generation network (NGN).

This deployment allows Telikom PNG to reach into new market opportunities not only by reaching new subscribers with its wireless network but also by offering new services to subscribers. We are pleased to be a part of Telikom PNG's network growth plans. This network deployment is an example of how network operators can leverage our IP-based solutions to deploy cost-effective CDMA access networks.Our All-IP Network solution enables operators to deploy resources where they most need and connect all network elements together using their NGN/IP network.

Richmond, BC, Canada and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PRWEB) September 29, 2009 -- Star Solutions, a global supplier of wireless solutions based on All-IP network architecture, is supplying its All-IP CDMA Network solution to Telikom PNG, the Incumbent Fixed Line Communication Service Provider in Papua New Guinea. The All-IP CDMA Network enables Telikom PNG to deploy voice and broadband data services over an IP based next generation network (NGN). X'cess Fixed Wireless Services allow subscribers in Papua New Guinea to gain access to voice & data services. The first stage of the network launch occurred in May.

The All-IP CDMA Network solution supplied to Telikom PNG is comprised of core network elements, the Sonata SE wireless softswitch and PDSN, enabling a mix of voice and data services, and IP based radio access equipment, the iCell CDMA IP-RAN, employing CDMA 1xRTT and EVDO Rev. A technology. The Sonata SE wireless softswitch platform enables Telikom PNG to cost-effectively plan, deploy and manage voice traffic over IP based connectivity and support CDMA radio resources deployed using terrestrial or in future satellite based connectivity. The solution also supports broadband wireless data service delivery via EVDO Rev. A technology allowing Telikom PNG to offer wireless data plans to its subscribers.

"This deployment allows Telikom PNG to reach into new market opportunities not only by reaching new subscribers with its wireless network," said Nataraj Sappany, VP of International Sales, Star Solutions, "but also by offering new services to subscribers. We are pleased to be a part of Telikom PNG's network growth plans."

"In Papua New Guinea we face unique challenges such as cable theft, vandalism, and challenging geographical terrain. Over 80% of our population is in the rural areas. We chose Star Solutions as our partner due to their proven experience in provisioning low cost IP based wireless telephony and data services. In addition Star Solutions has proven experience in use of IP based VSAT backhaul capability, which enables us to reach out to our rural population" said Peter Loko, CEO, Telikom PNG Ltd.

"This network deployment is an example of how network operators can leverage our IP-based solutions to deploy cost-effective CDMA access networks," said Jack Mar, CEO, Star Solutions. "Our All-IP Network solution enables operators to deploy resources where they most need and connect all network elements together using their NGN/IP network."