Nawras adds satellite communications capability

VT iDirect (iDirect), a satellite-based IP communications technology player, has announced that Omani telco Nawras will be able to deliver new services as the result of an upgrade to iDirect Evolution. 

The platform upgrade will enable services such as reliable enterprise connectivity, SCADA* and mobility, particularly across remote locations. The oil and gas market, which operates across remote locations throughout Oman, will benefit in particular. In addition, Evolution will help Nawras, part of Ooredoo Group, enhance its fast-growing cellular backhaul business. This will allow for higher network efficiency, lowering bandwidth utilisation and cost. 

“Our upgrade to Evolution will allow us to leverage the latest advancements iDirect has to offer for the benefit of our cellular backhaul customers, as well as to customers across various other Omani market segments. We believe timing for this upgrade is optimal, given the growing VSAT* opportunities across such segments as oil and gas, enterprise, mobility and SCADA,” said Wolfgang Wemhoff, CTO, Nawras. 

“Nawras is a pioneer in the Oman communications market and the first in this region to provide GSM backhauling services. Now as the next big opportunities around VSAT emerge across the region, the Evolution platform will help open the door to new markets and to increase revenue opportunities for Nawras,” added Majdi Atout, Regional Vice President, Middle East and Africa, iDirect.

*SCADA, or supervisory control and data acquisition, refers to industrial control systems which will become more important as the concept of the Internet of Things takes hold.

*VSAT, or very small aperture terminal, is a way to communicate with satellites.