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NetHope Facilitates Advanced Practical VSAT Installation and Troubleshooting Training in Nairobi

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

NetHope, the US based global information technology alliance of 26 of the world's largest aid agencies, in partnership with the Global VSAT Forum (GVF) and African eDevelopment Resource Centre (AeRC), launched the second advanced practical VSAT training in Nairobi today.

Thirteen IT staff professionals representing five aid agencies from nine African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mali, DRC, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Mozambique are attending the Nairobi based training.  Students were required to pass the Global VSAT Forum online VSAT certification courses before being accepted for the practical session

iDirect and Skylogic donated and delivered six complete VSAT systems to enable hands on and troubleshooting exercises on the grounds of the AeRC.  Intelsat and Eutelsat are both providing space segment and NOC support.  “We are receiving unprecedented in country support from some of the most prominent leaders in the industry”, said Joe Simmons, NetHope Connectivity Program Director. “iDirect and Eutelsat/Skylogic not only donated a substantial amount of equipment, tools and analyzers, they also sent their best engineers to Nairobi to assist the local trainers and to ensure we establish a high quality repeatable curriculum.”

Nenad Bojovic, International Rescue Committee, and Fred Kioko, AFSAT Communications Kenya, are newly certified local GVF VSAT instructors.  After completing the first practical session last October, Nenad qualified to be a GVF VSAT Instructor. Fred Kioko also recently attained his certification and NetHope is thankful to AFSAT for his contribution to the training session.

VSAT continues to be the most practical solution in Africa; however, it requires advanced engineering skills to set up and maintain quality systems.  Good VSAT installers are difficult to find and expensive to hire. “NetHope is committed to facilitate the training of our local NGO workforce”, commented Bill Brindley, NetHope Executive Director and CEO. “This enables faster less costly installations and increases the quality of service for critical field office applications”.

Simon Gray, Eutelsat Senior Field Engineer, and David Wren iDirect Director of Field Services and Support, bring a wealth of systems expertise and experience to the Nairobi classroom and field training. GVF has been instrumental in extending the standard classroom session to include both iDirect and LinkStar practical and troubleshooting field exercises.

“We welcome NetHope back to Nairobi and plan to build upon our collaboration and facilitate training for as many local workers as possible", said Harry Hare, African eDevelopment Resource Centre Director.  GVF training will also offer training in West and South Africa later this year. "The satellite industry is proud to serve the family of NetHope aid agencies” said David Hartshorn, Secretary General of GVF.  

NetHope aid organizations also plan to install hundreds of new VSAT sites in the next 24 – 36 months.  VSAT solutions are especially critical to deploying relief in the wake of disasters. Donations for tuition and VSAT tools kits would be extremely beneficial to increase capacity.
 

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