SatADSL Unveils Satellite Solutions For Deployment of Nation-Wide ATM Networks

SatADSL, a Belgium-based satellite service provider has launched new solutions for supporting deployment of nation-wide ATM networks in East Africa.

The new solution will allow Automated Teller Machines (ATM) operators and banks to deploy cash machines in small urban areas in East Africa where terrestrial communication services are either not available, unreliable or too expensive. SatADSL offers specialized products and services that are aimed at boosting the operations of financial institutions in Africa independently from any terrestrial infrastructure.

According to SatADS Chief Operations Officer Caroline De Vos, “Financial institutions often offer excellent service in the main cities where adequate telecommunications means are available: fiber connections, WiMax, etc. However, in remote locations where the population is less dense, telecommunication links may not be as reliable and are much less adapted to the requirements of financial institutions. That is where SatADSL comes in with specialised services to support the financial institutions’ remote offices as well as cash machines in performing according to their customers’ expectations.”

De Vos was speaking at the ongoing AITEC Conference in Nairobi and added that  the new solutions are specifically tailor-made for the African banking and financial community. SatADS is also in the process of recruiting partners distribute its products and services in the region.

Though traditional VSAT services, De Vos noted that the firm is in a position to offer similar technical solutions at much cheaper rates and higher reliability than fiber connections and WiMax which are typically much more expensive and obviously secure enough for ATM networks.

The new service has been successfully demonstrated and is now commercially in use in three West African countries by several African banks that are planning large scale ATM deployments over the continent. The company is currently leading three new pilot projects for ATM deployment with banks in Ghana, Cameroon and Zambia.

The service allows for financial transactions to be carried out over satellite link in a reliable, secured and cost-effective way. SatADSL service connects the client applications in remote offices to the servers located in the company headquarters and other servers located in Europe and the US. SatADSL corporate service offering is built around SES Broadband service platform which provides high-speed broadband internet via satellite.

SatADSL is already offering reliable and low-cost satellite networking solutions to more than hundred money transfer offices of Express Union and EMI Transfer that are located in remote areas, bringing those financial services closers to African citizens.

According to Caroline De Vos, the company prioritizes the business-critical transactions with the guarantee that these transactions will always go through, with a reliable and financially affordable solution in both investment (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) costs. Finally, SatADSL offers the most optimized solutions for reliable and cost- effective connection for off-site ATM terminals.