Since 2004, companies such as Globecomm have been providing satellite & terrestrial services to build the much-needed communications infrastructure of Afghanistan.  It is a quiet success in what is one of the most challenging environments in the world.
 
Afghan Telecom and Globecomm developed the Village Communication Network (VCN) to provide communication access for the Afghani people in the isolated regions where the communication reach is either unstable or non-existent. In seven years, the network has grown from barely 200 sites to well over 1,000. Before the existence of the VCN Network, most villagers living in the nation’s remote locations had to travel up to 3 days to get to the nearest telephone. Now with the existence of (in many cases) solar powered VCN remote terminals, they have connectivity right in their own village.   
 
This network at the local level followed the successful implementation of a government communications network and a district communications network which pushed services into rural areas. These networks led to support for the nation’s first national democratic vote, new Internet cafes, lower mobile carrier costs and the connection of 42 government ministries.  This has led to a more effectively managed communication with citizens.  Globecomm constructed a hybrid satellite-fiber network using whose international gateway, which relied on Thuraya 1.8M terminals and Intelsat “B” earth stations. These have helped the nation to position itself for the day when it can fully participate in the global economy. 

Return to the Better Satellite World Awards