Nokia Siemens Networks, in partnership with Oi, Nokia, Intelsat and Hughes, today sets off on an expedition into rural Brazilian where it will showcase the potential of its innovative Village Connection solution, using Nokia devices to bring mobile communications services to communities previously unserved by networks.
The “Connecting Brazil” roadshow has the Nokia Siemens Networks Village Connection solution installed on a vehicle that will visit the cities of Cravolandia, Muniz Ferreira and other small cities in the rural part of the state of Bahia.
The vehicle will arrive at the destinations with all the required equipment to offer mobile telephony and Internet access that is provided by Hughes and Intelsat exclusively via satellite. Here in Brazil, the solution will use the HughesNet broadband satellite service and technology from HUGHES, and satellite capacity primarily on Intelsat’s extensive fleet of satellites in the Atlantic Ocean Region. The local population, assisted by Nokia Siemens Networks professionals, will have the opportunity to make calls, send text messages and surf the web.
From a technical perspective, Nokia Siemens Networks Village Connection works as a standalone mobile service station where all internal calls are locally processed. Subscriber management can be done within the Village Connection system and the technology makes it possible for the mobile operator to work together with members of the local communities in operating the network and mediating the service. This approach significantly reduces both the capital and the overall operating costs.
“In addition to providing cost-efficient GSM technology and communications services for these towns, this business model offers a path to economic growth and development for them and a promise of applications that can raise living standards,” said Mario Baumgarten, corporate affairs director for Nokia Siemens Networks Latin America.
The Village Connection solution has been developed in India. It is operational in four states, providing connectivity to the rural communities. This project is succeeding in many regions where subscribers spend less than US$ 3 per month with telecommunications. We believe that this economic viability can be replicated in similar Brazilian contexts,” added Baumgarten.
“We expect that 5 billion people will be connected by 2015. To achieve our Corporate Social Responsibility goals, Nokia Siemens Networks, together with its partners in this project, is dedicated to the work for extending the benefits of mobile communication to people in rural areas, and to collaborate with the Millennium Goals.“, stated Baumgarten.
The Village Connection Solution
Nokia Siemens Networks Village Connection is an award-winning GSM- and IP-based network solution, specially designed for rural village communities in emerging markets where rolling out and operating a traditional GSM network would be too costly. It is cost effective, easy to implement and operate. It’s franchise-based innovative business model makes rural coverage a realistic business opportunity for operators and village entrepreneurs and ultimately brings connectivity to villagers enabling them to benefit from mobile voice and Internet services.
Nokia Siemens Networks will supply the entire kit to install, operate, manage and maintain the solution. For Oi, this can mean a more efficient solution in terms of connection and backbone costs.
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