TransCore has recently installed and commissioned new earth station equipment to support the addition of a second satellite communications channel by its regional partner Skygistics, a South African company that specializes in wireless systems to track, monitor, and, control trucks and other mobile assets throughout Africa.
The new equipment to expand GlobalWave Inmarsat satellite capacity was installed at the Stratos Land Earth Station in Perth, Australia, and is now fully operational, providing Skygistics capacity to continue to grow their subscriber base throughout Africa, where asset tracking requires reliable communications and rugged durable mobile equipment.
TransCore President John Worthington explains, "Skygistics' need for satellite capacity to track its customers' transportation assets grew so rapidly that additional network infrastructure and subsequently an additional satellite channel was required to meet demand. This million dollar expansion exemplifies the escalating need globally to protect and track high value assets."
Skygistics CEO Neil Hattingh elaborates further explaining, "Africa has seen significant market growth due to the demand for natural resources, oil and particularly the subsequent demand for security and tracking of high-value equipment.
"Skygistics constantly seeks to examine all aspects of the service experience in finding ways to improve its customer satisfaction. Our objective is simple – we find ways of providing solutions that cater to our customer's needs," continued Hattingh.
With three ground control stations providing service to five continents, the GlobalWave network supports customers worldwide including more than 600 commercial fleets throughout North America, the U.S. Department of Defense, and powers TransCore's 3sixty fleet management services.
In October, the European Space Agency (ESA) contracted with TransCore to lead the development of an asset tracking prototype that will provide continuous visibility of intermodal containers and eliminate the line-of-sight complication that hinders global tracking of containers while in transit.
Skygistics is the regional operator for TransCore's Globalwave satellite system in Africa, and is the only South African vehicle tracking company with coverage of both Africa and Australia as well as surrounding coastal waters.
