VSATs for rural telecommunications

A discussion is presented of the role of VSATs (very small aperture terminals) in providing rural telecommunications in a country like India. A satellite based rural telegraph network (SBRTN) is being implemented in the northeastern region of India, which contains 50 terminals. This network is primarily meant for telegraph transmission within the network as well as to the rest of the country via a gateway located near a `hub´. While designing the network and during the studies associated with its implementation, it was found that provision for a voice transmission capability between the VSAT and hub would enhance the value of the network in different situations. The proposed access scheme and the equipment configuration at the VSAT are detailed