Telecom-related posting 2

Chuck B. at Ext. 214 (mailto:chuckb@TMAR.COM)
Wed, 12 Apr 1995 18:05:24 EST

Message-ID:  <0098EC8872AA71E0.0000333F@tmar.com>
Date:         Wed, 12 Apr 1995 18:05:24 EST
From: "Chuck B. at Ext. 214" <mailto:chuckb@TMAR.COM>
Subject:      Telecom-related posting 2
To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L

        And the other posting about telecom (with interesting references
to space-based technologies).

c.b.

. . .

Date: Sat, 8 Apr 1995 10:55:00 EDT Originally-From: mailto:Ben.Parker@hornet.sasa.unep.no in web:list.africana */ Subject: African net symposium (from an article by Tony Hall)

A full house of telematics conference delegates at Africa Hall in Addis Ababa yesterday heard a range of high level calls for coordination so that Africa can be ready for full Internet connectivity, and move on to the Information Superhighway with it own strategies and priorities in order. [The opening speaker described the use of telematics as a prerequisite for scientific, social and economic development, setting the tone for the conference.]

Just as telematics has rapidly brought together the worlds of computing and telecommunications, so telecoms authorities and electronic networkers must get to know each other and work together - and so must the different networking projects around the continent. That was the thrust of a number of addresses from senior representatives of international and government agencies at the opening of the week-long African Regional Symposium on Telematics for Development conference at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) headquarters in the Ethiopian capital.

The gathering of more than 250 information specialists, users, donors and policymakers is the first to focus on telematics. It brings policymakers and users face to face, at a crucial time to share ideas and work out ways of easing national regulations and fees to usher Africa into the information age.

....

Space-based systems will be increasingly important, such as the low-orbit satellites used by the agencies HealthNet, Satellife, and VITAnet, which send messages as the satellite passes overhead. And VSAT will become very important in providing cost-effective national links, with personal earth stations at around $10,000, and $1,000 a month to run.