Internet connection options at the village are limited. Often no fiber (but not always), no ADSL, no 4G. But other options do exist.
At this stage, we start by assessing the situation and finding out what kind of internet connectivity users have.
Make your own survey. How do your teams work? Do they connect via cellular networks? If so, what signal are they picking up? What letter is displayed on the phone in data mode?
- G for GPRS (or 2.5G - data only). Data rates range from 56 to 144 kbps.
- E for Edge (or 2.75G - data only) The speed is 256 to 348 kbps.
- 3G or UMTS. Its data rate is 1.9 Mbps, but can reach 7 Mbps depending on equipment.
- H or 3G+. Its speed is 14 Mbps
- H+. Its data rate is 42 Mbps.
- 4G or LTE for speeds up to 150Mbit/s or up to 300Mbps with LTE-A
- 5G 10Gbps
It's worth asking several users to find out how to get the best signal. Another good way to find out is to use the Network Cell Info Lite application. The app keeps you up to date with local cell coverage and lets you monitor mobile networks with measurement and diagnostic tools... It tells you which cell tower you're connected to, and gives you statistics on their signal strength history. It features a map tab that can help you locate the transmitting antenna and see how best to position yourself.
Please watch this webinar about signal boosters.
If your country’s government allows it, Starlink provides fast and reliable internet connectivity (see here for more information) at a good speed.
In case you cannot get the internet any other way, VSAT is an option. It is slower and more expensive than other internet options.
VSAT relies on satellites approximately 35,000 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
To receive the internet through VSAT, you need a dish and a modem.
The two main types of VSAT technology are Ku-band and Ka-band.
- Ku-band is the oldest type. It is still used in places with a lot of rainfall, because it works well even with cloud cover and rain (although heavy rain can still cause the signal to drop).
- Ka-band is faster and cheaper, but more susceptible to signal loss during rain and cloudy days.
Ka-band is not available everywhere. You can check availability here: Konnect high-speed satellite Internet | Konnect Africa or try https://www.viasat.com/. - BGAN is a portable satellite terminal which is designed for use with one device, such as a laptop.
BGAN is slow but reliable. The signal is not affected by rain; however, the cost of transmitting and receiving data is very expensive ($7.50 or so per megabyte).
This training video may be of interest to you: