SYDNEY, March 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- SpeedCast International Limited (ASX:SDA), a leading global communications and network service provider, today announced that it is connecting residents in remote villages in Afghanistan through a partnership with one of the country’s largest CDMA operators, Wasel Telecom. Connectivity is provided through a fully managed, off-grid small cell end-to-end solution that includes satellite communications, solar panels, base transceiver stations (BTS) and accompanying towers.

“The solution SpeedCast is providing here is making a difference in people’s lives,” said PJ Beylier, CEO, SpeedCast. “We are enabling the rural population in Afghanistan to gain access to modern communications infrastructure so they can see the world with a new perspective. The arrangement has the potential to bring broadband, cellular services, e-health services, e-learning and telemedicine to the most remote areas of the globe.”

After completing a successful proof of concept with Wasel Telecom to connect three rural villages, SpeedCast and Wasel Telecom agreed to collaborate on a bid for an upcoming project for the Afghan government. The work would extend the solution to more than 200 villages in the hardest-to-reach areas of the country.

“We are excited to collaborate with a customer-focused company like SpeedCast,” said Mr. Hatem Al Sibai, CEO, Wasel Telecom. “I’m extremely confident that our combined expertise will enable a solution that will change the lives of the Afghan people.”

What is an Off-Grid Small Cell Solution?

An off-grid small cell solution is a radio access network that includes outdoor small cells (low-powered radio access nodes that operate in licensed and unlicensed spectrum supporting 2G, 3G and 4G LTE) and a base station controller. Satellite backhaul completes the solution. The network is enabled by a solar power system and battery bank with a self-supporting tower and has a range of up to 5km.

About SpeedCast International Limited

SpeedCast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) is the world’s most trusted provider of highly reliable, fully managed, end-to-end remote communication and IT solutions. The company utilizes an extensive worldwide footprint of local support, infrastructure and coverage to design, integrate, secure and optimize networks tailored to customer needs. With differentiated technology, an intense customer focus and a strong safety culture, SpeedCast serves more than 2,000 customers in over 140 countries via 39 teleports, including offshore rigs and cruise ships, 10,000+ maritime vessels and 4,500+ terrestrial sites. SpeedCast supports mission-critical applications in industries such as maritime, oil and gas, enterprise, media, cruise and government. Learn more at www.speedcast.com.

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About Wasel Telecom

Wasel Telecom is a Mobile Network Operator in Afghanistan providing mobile voice and broadband communications services. Wasel Telecom plans to deploy state of the art 4G network in 2017. For more information, visit www.wasel.af.

SpeedCast® is a trademark and registered trademark of SpeedCast International Limited. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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