Nadra has procured a DVB-RCS satellite system to efficiently provide its more than 350 swift registration centers across the country with an access to the national database. In addition, Nadra has expanded its network infrastructure capability to provide voice, data and video triple-play access to planned initiatives and services that require nation-wide access.
The Rs 93 million project covers commissioning of this 3rd generation VSAT system including one HUB installed in Islamabad and 200 remote terminals across Pakistan. With this project Nadra has taken a giant leap in terms of getting in sync with the telecommunication revolution and has emerged as a pioneer in the country to extend its range to the remotest sites of the country.
The acquisition of this technology has enabled the authority to cater to the security required to manage the national database and other services on a par with the international standards. The existing terrestrial network infrastructure was designed on the initial data acquisition philosophy hence mesh architecture existed, which could only connect eight core regions with fail-safe scenario.
The network infrastructure was unable to facilitate the growing business demands and futuristically challenging technical requirements. A comprehensive and generic EOI was floated to acquire the DVB-RCS technology. As many as 29 foreign/local vendors and operators expressed their interest and proposed different terrestrial and satellite-based broadband technologies.
However, M/s British Telecom (BT) was chosen due to its lower financial cost and proven technical strengths. As a result SKYARCS DVBRCS-based system was deployed to fulfil critical requirements and future initiatives of the Nadra.
This 3rd generation satellite-based system has been carefully chosen to meet the requirement of network outreach, manageability, security and 99 per cent plus availability. Besides, had any other technology been selected, it would have required more investment. So, cost-effectiveness and subsequent reduction in the operational cost was another factor that had driven the Nadra to opt for this system.
The total cost of ownership (TCO) is significantly less as compared to any other network system when considering the time span of operation in three years. This deployment enables Nadra to gain the operational efficiency as well as reduction in the existing communication cost.
The system is currently providing main stream network connectivity to swift centers, motorway toll plazas for vehicle identification project, Afghan Refugees Registration centers working under the UNHCR, banks, passport offices and other government offices.
The Nadra is now capable of offering triple-play connectivity to other institutions as well. It would be pertinent to mention here that recently, a TV channel has signed a contract with the Nadra to acquire the facility for media coverage of the February 18 election.
Around 25 sites of the TV channel will be using this facility, and later the same infrastructure will be permanently used to provide live coverage of different events for this channel.
Within Nadra, the system is operational on sites where other solutions are not available. The DVB-RCS system makes a good business case to generate revenue for the authority. With this enhanced capability the Nadra has successfully entered the league of world-class service providers. Besides, there are many other projects in the pipeline through which the Nadra is planning to offer more useful services to the people of Pakistan.
Nadra's marketing and technical staff has deployed the system in such a manner that the return on investment (ROI) can be achieved in a very short span of time, which is currently estimated to be the fourth quarter of the current year.
The authority's investment in this technology has not only fulfilled all its technical requirements but will also prove to be a major profit earner for the parent company.