Leon Perlman
Transtel is to install a large national satellite-based network to foil cable thieves disrupting rail traffic.
Cable thieves are disrupting rail services by pulling up copper cabling leading to line signalling and switching equipment. Despite increased policing, the problem is becoming endemic as thieves go on 24-hour shifts to yank out the arteries of the country’s railway network. But the thieves are about to meet their nemesis — satellite.
Transtel, the communications arm of Transnet, is set to replace open-wire cable links to switching and signalling equipment with direct satellite links to a central control centre. The signals will be carried via the new Pan Am Sat 4 (PAS 4) satellite.
The cable replacement project is part of Transtel’s roll-out of an extensive national satellite network using 90cm wide Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite dishes. Transtel has long term leases on a number of transponders aboard PAS 4 in the C and Ku Bands. Most of Transtel’s Ku Band “footprint” is centred on South Africa.
Andre du Toit, chief executive officer of Transtel’s satellite division, says some 70 of these VSAT terminals will be deployed countrywide, mostly along railway tracks. Besides reducing the risk to the transport infrastructure, the VSAT network will allow Transtel to expand its voice, data, fax, and remote asset monitoring and measurement capabilities to remote areas at present without links.
They will also be supplying similar satellite services to railway networks in the Southern African Developing Community region, although these networks will probably use C band signals and much larger dishes. The high-power Ku band signals focused on South Africa mean that the smaller, easily installed 90cm satellite dishes can be used.
Phase one national roll-out of the 70 VSAT terminals will be completed by the end of March 1996. Transtel is also expected to save millions by not having to replace stolen
The Transtel VSAT network will be controlled by the Master Earth station near Krugersdorp. Most equipment will be sourced from Scientific Atlanta, of which Transtel is the South African distributor.
Transtel hopes to use the infrastructure to secure a distance-learning operating licence from government. Previous requests have been unsuccessful.