Satellite communications specialist, IEC Telecom introduces its modern satellite-based networking management solution, OneGate Aid Compact to enhance the effectivity of first responders in regional communities throughout the Middle East and Africa amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) acknowledges the significance of communication and new technologies to combat the pandemic. IEC Telecom Group shares these same values and is assured that the new solution will make contributions to COVID-19 resistance by empowering fundamental missions with an efficient communication tool.

OneGate Aid Compact is an agile and future-ready network management solution that operates from a digital platform and is designed to hold mobile humanitarian groups connected at all times, enabling full control and visibility over lively telecommunication links.

Urban areas make use of GSM networks, while remote missions are heavily reliant on satellite communication. Moreover, mandatory social distancing prevents from workforce reinforcement or rotation and as a result, field workers are closely dependent on satellite networks to acquire remote counselling and training. With an increase in data usage, it is not sufficient to actually have access to the satellite network, however be in a position to control available resources and channel fundamental communications on mission-critical operations.

Nabil Ben Soussia, Managing Director IEC Telecom Middle East, IEC Telcom Group commented, Successful operations in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic are structured on well timed and appropriate communication in affected communities. This is particularly essential to first response groups or mobile hospitals who need to act quickly in areas with no infrastructure. Now more than ever, telecommunications in common and satellite communications, in particular, are essential to help our frontline workers. OneGate Aid Compact was developed as a solution to support non-stop communication. It offers satellite link in remote areas and serves as GSM back-up under terrestrial network coverage.

IEC Telecoms OneGate Aid Compact is powered by Thuraya IP+ for stationed use and Thuraya Voyager for vehicular use over Thurayas L-Band network. It allows first response teams with optimized network traffic availing services such as massive information transfer and live conferencing. In times of COVID it means that front line workforce will be able to share operational reports in actual time and have access to telemedicine.

OneGate Aid Compact additionally offers the gateway for remote maintenance, enabling technical aid groups to screen and troubleshoot at any place and at any time. It may additionally be better with an augmented reality toolkit, offering field workers with a virtual pair of hands displayed on the screen of the system in use (smartphone or tablet). As such, restricted team of workers onsite is exponentially expended via digitally present teams in the HQ and network support groups at IEC Telcom.

In addition to the essential communication to guide the frontline, weve seen a drastic increase in the use of video calls, which is a natural response to extended isolation, commented Ben Soussia. In order to aid the front line body of workers and our communities, in cooperation with Thuraya we have doubled our data packages for April at no additional cost.

With built-in Wi-Fi enablers, OneGate Aid Compact offer remote workers with a way to connect their own devices to the devoted welfare network. This offers them with an added choice to reach out to their households regardless of location. A devoted welfare surroundings operates based on a voucher system. Credits are dispensed among team of workers as a part of a social package. Should anyone choose to surpass the limit, extra vouchers can be individually bought online. As such filed people are not restricted in their communication and current no risk to overstretch company communication budget.

With an alternative to deploy unique apps on demand, OneGate Aid Compact can be termed as one of the most agile and future-ready satcom options for the humanitarian industry, enabling the organizations to better make use of the technology and make a distinction to the affected communities.

For more information on IEC Telecoms OneGate Aid Compact, please visit http://www.iec-telecom.com/market/humanitarian_solutions/