TRIPLE is a local
wireless mesh network concept using suitable satellite capacity for
backhaul in populated areas lacking reliable cable internet access.
The TRIPLE system as depicted above used geostationary satellite capacity.
The Belgian town of Mont-Saint-Guibert,
30 km from Brussels, hosted TRIPLE's demonstration. Security, Intelligent
Traffic System and other internet-based applications that TRIPLE could
support were exhibited at a public event in the town.
TRIPLE's demonstration
was an example of both public-private and local-level cooperation
between Europe and Africa for development. Consultation took place during
the project with persons already active in Mont-Saint-Guilbert's cooperation
with a twin community in Kigali, Rwanda, as well as with the cabinet
of the EU Commissioner for Development.
The demonstration
organizers, Systemics Network International and SpecterCAT, record their
thanks to the Mayor and Commune of Mont-Saint-Guibert for its cooperation
and to the other organizations which participated in making the demonstration
and public exhibitation around it a success, notably Eutelsat, Vitrociset
Spa, Group4 Securicor, Icoms Detections, the Catholic University of
Louvain's IT engineering department, and the investment group ISSAL.
The demonstration
and exhibition evidenced wide interest in TRIPLE's concept. Yet it also
gave insight into radio planning technical issues imposed by challenging
topography as well as into other risks that could affect sustainable
realization of service benefits. TRIPLE's move to full operational deployment
was accordingly placed on hold.
Through the TRIPLE
project leader, Systemics Network
International, ongoing consideration continues to be given to satellite-reliant
solutions for optimally combining cost-effectiveness and practicability
in deployment and local operations. Systemics Network International
has extended such consideration to non-geostationary satellite systems
and tested another satellite-to-wifi solution, this time for rapid deployment
under conditions of restricted connectivity in another African nation.
TRIPLE's aim –
of Telecommunication by Radio for Internet
Provision Locally Everywhere
to facilitate radical improvement to connectivity in Africa, Asia and
other regions confronting the digital divide – thus remains very
much alive.
Contact info
(a) systemicsnet.com if your organization is interested in contributing
to the achievement of this aim.
