Wireless Networks

Small cells powering deployments in remote Congo communities

Remote and rural areas of the Republic of Congo will soon enjoy  mobile coverage and fixed telephony access via a new collaboration...

Remote and rural areas of the Republic of Congo will soon enjoy  mobile coverage and fixed telephony access via a new collaboration. Satellite firms ViaSat and RascomStar-QAF will use ip.access’s small cells to offer the services for the active infrastructure operator IPX Extenso.

An existing partnership between RascomStar-QAF, ViaSat and ip.access has led to the development of end-to-end remote and rural solutions including phone boxes, remote base stations and VSAT terminals, all of which are connected into a core network via satellite backhaul.

To deliver the service, small cells will be deployed in around 50 sites throughout the country with one gateway in the capital. Installation and the first pilot service will begin this summer with plans to widen the deployment in 2013 and include at least ten more countries in the central African region.

The service will use small cells and gateway technology to deliver mobile coverage and services directly into the heart of the remote communities. Simon Brown, CEO of ip.access said the company was proud to be associated with the project and praised the work of the development team involved.

“Working closely with our partners we have helped to create an end-to-end system by using our expertise in small cell deployments to bring voice and Internet access to previously unconnected parts of the world at a price-point they can afford. It’s a great project to be part of and we look forward to its expansion into other African countries,” he said.

Faraj Elamari, CEO of RascomStar-QAF added: “Our services were developed to provide affordable universal access telephony in rural and remote areas and have a particular role to play serving low ARPU communities. Together with our partners, we believe that we have designed a service that meets the needs of a region underserved by mobile and indeed fixed telephony.”

More info:



More Articles you may be Interested in...