A solution for low cost Internet access to rural and remore areas

RICS is designed to provide 2-way Internet connectivity to all Pacific Island Countries.

RICS is directly connected to the US Tier 1 backbone via Hawaii and provides unprecedented performance and low latency. The RICS (second generation) is based on the cutting edge SHIRON DVB-S2 ACM Intersky platform, utilizing the latest modulation techniques to ensure reliability, availability and throughput.

 

  

PacRICS initiative launched early 2008 by SPC with Aus Aid funding

• Gilat Dual Outbound VSAT Hub physically installed in Honolulu,
  Hawaii.

• Service operated by Pacific Teleports from Australia
• 16 Pilots,  up to 100 “Public Good” sites, Commercial sites
  • Pilots fully funded, inc VSAT, power, IT Network, operator
  • Public good sites received support for bandwidth fee until end 2009
  • Commercial sites dealed directly with Pactel at bulk rates
    
    

New development for 2010 after AusAID support ended in Dec. 2009

• Supply of service extended for up to a total of 40 sites (PG and Pilots) for 1 year
• Coverage area unchanged

• Hawaii Content Keepers transferred to Pactel and maintained by them

• Dual illumination of Gilat and Shiron platform until Feb 15th 2010
• Supply of 40 Shiron modems and BUCs

• Disconnection of Gilat platform on Feb 15th

• Service fee paid by SPC

What does it mean for the former customers?

• Former Pilots or PG sites which already benefited from SPC financial support regarding bandwidth fees during at least one year or which are able to sustain themselves will be turned into commercial sites. Therefore they will have to pay for their own bandwidth fees
• New or recent installed PG will be able to benefit of a free bandwitdth fee until Dec 2010