Gijima, a leading South African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, and Q-KON, a pioneering satellite engineering company with over 30 years of experience in Africa, recently announced the successful implementation and testing of a Voice over Satellite (VoS) solution for a multinational mining and metals processing group in South Africa. The innovative Twoobii-LEO solution has delivered exceptional results in field trials, proving its capability to provide constant and reliable communication within challenging mine environments.
Efficient and safe mining operations are critically dependent on robust voice communication for co-ordinating activities and ensuring worker safety. Traditional on-site voice systems, while designed with resilience in mind, are susceptible to physical damage in the often-hostile mining environment. Disruptions to connectivity between shafts can halt operations, leading to significant financial losses and increased safety risks for personnel.
To address these inherent challenges, Gijima and Q-KON partnered on a proof-of-concept site to develop a dependable communication solution that delivers high-quality, uninterrupted voice connectivity between mine shafts. The Twoobii-LEO satellite service, powered by Eutelsat OneWeb, provides a stable platform that ensures continuous voice connectivity even during infrastructure failures.
Voice communication demands low latency, minimal jitter, and reliable throughput. The Twoobii-LEO solution excels in these areas. PABX systems configured to use alternate SIP paths allow calls to bypass disruptions without relying on traditional internet infrastructure. Field trials have unequivocally confirmed that even double-hop LEO links maintain excellent call quality, a vital characteristic for critical mining operations.
"Satellite voice connectivity is a vital backup, ensuring uninterrupted communication between teams and command. Crucial for safety, compliance, and continuity in challenging environments," commented Cecelia Pretorius, New Business Executive at Gijima.
Hendrik Bezuidenhout, Account Director: Key Accounts for Q-KON, added, "The Twoobii-LEO solution represents a significant leap forward in providing robust and reliable satellite services to hard-to-reach or off-grid locations, including mines. This partnership with Gijima demonstrates the immense opportunities these services offer to keep critical operations connected, enhancing both safety and productivity."
This successful partnership between Gijima and Q-KON highlights their commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that address the unique and demanding requirements of the African business and industrial sectors, ultimately enhancing operational continuity and in this case, safeguarding lives.
