Scientific-Atlanta is providing Embratel
(Empresa Brasileira de Telecomunicacoes S.A.), Brazil’s only interstate and
international long distance carrier, with a 2,500 unit VSAT system to provide gas stations with high-speed credit card authorizations.
The extensive US$13.6 million VSAT network will consist of a Scientific-
Atlanta main hub station located in Sao Paulo and 2500 remote SkyRelay
satellite data stations to serve Brazil’s more than 160 million citizens
across all 26 states. The network, scheduled for operation in March 1998,
will include the largest installation to date of the SkyRelay Series 3000
system, Scientific-Atlanta’s newest, high-performance VSAT equipment. Other
SkyRelay Series 3000 systems are in use or being installed for Shared Data
Networks in the U.S., Telstra V-Comm in India, and Transtel and Siemens Atea
in Africa.
The SkyRelay data VSAT system was recently named “Best VSAT Solution” in
Satellite Communications magazine’s reader survey for Best Technologies of
1997. The SkyRelay system was among those deemed “the hottest products of
1997” and was highlighted in the magazine’s December edition.
The network uses C-band links and its Network Management System (NMS) is
capable of supporting as many as 5000 remote sites as Embratel expands the
number of customers served. “Credit card verification by satellite for
gasoline purchases is a new application for Brazilian retailers,” said
Guilherme Ceotto Metello, Services and Networks Department Manager at
Embratel. “Since transactions can be authorized so quickly by a satellite
connection, we are offering the retailers a significant improvement in the
ability to serve their customers. ”
This popular SkyRelay satellite data network system is already in use at
some of the largest supermarket, automotive parts, and drug store retail
chains in the U.S., and is widely recognized for its comprehensive Network
Management System. The SkyRelay Series 3000 system’s attractive pricing and
versatile feature set make it well suited for use in multi-location
operations, such as self-serve gasoline/convenience stores. Additionally, the system’s SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) support for LAN enterprise network solutions and the addition of a data broadcast application make it a powerful business solution for use in a variety of markets and businesses.
“Brazil, which has the largest gross domestic product of any South
American nation, is poised to increase its stature in the worldwide business
community,” said Simon Wakefield, managing director, Latin America for the
Satellite Networks business unit at Scientific-Atlanta. “The Embratel network provides services which can improve and protect the currency flow to an important, large group of retailers. By bringing this new service to Brazil, Embratel has adopted a forward-looking approach to helping businesses run efficiently.”
GAP Communications Systems is assisting Scientific-Atlanta with hub site
survey and installation and tests of two hubs and two remote stations,
training in Brazil for the operations and maintenance personnel, installation of the remote sites, and supervision of operation and maintenance during the initial period of activation.
