VSAT is abbreviation for “very small aperture terminal”, an earthbound station used in satellite communications of data, voice and video signals, and broadcasting. VSAT consists of two parts, a transceiver that is placed outdoors in direct line of sight to the satellite and a device that is placed indoors to interface the transceiver with the end user's communications devices. The transceiver receives or sends a signal to a satellite transponder in the sky. The satellite sends and receives signals from a ground station that acts as a hub for the system. Each end user is interconnected with the hub station via satellite, forming a star topology.

The hub controls the entire operation of the network. For one end user to communicate with another, each transmission has to go to the hub station, which then retransmits it via satellite to the other end user's VSAT.

PDL uses following technologies in its VSAT network:

Point to Point [SCPC (Single Carrier Per Channel)]
Point to Multipoint [MCPC (Multiple Channels Per Carrier)]
On Demand [DAMA (Demand Assigned Multiple Access)]

Pak Datacom Ltd. is pioneer and the most experienced VSAT data network operator in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

From the start of commercial operations of PDL in 1993, PDL has implemented VSAT Solutions for numerou s national and multinational companies in metropolitans like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad etc., as well as in the remotest and the toughest areas like Deserts of Sindh, and some of the highest terrains of the world like Northern Areas of Pakistan. PDL offers VSAT services practically anywhere in Pakistan at anytime. The thing that puts PDL at par with other private sector DNOP is the quick and efficient response to its clients, no matter where they require our services in Pakistan. This is achieved due to the active presence of PDL offices all over the country.

We at PDL try to provide customers with exactly what they require by involving ourselves in assessing their requirements and then offering the network based on assessments. This way, customer is sure to get the best possible financial and technical solution. This is achieved by PDL through specialized group of Engineers who have methodical knowledge and experience in all aspects of Data Network design.

Another significant advantage of our VSAT network is that the potential points of failure are much less than a corresponding terrestrial microwave or an equivalent cable based network.

Some of the Salient features of PDL VSAT network are:

» Network availability of more than 99.9%

» Link Engineering conducted by the trained and experienced satellite system engineers

» 24 x 7 network monitoring

» Data circuits available from 9.6 kbps upto Mbps

» Ability to use the leading satellite systems in the region namely Thaicom3, Paksat2, Asiasat2, Intelsat. This feature provides for space segment    redundancy

» Availability of Spares on a nation wide basis