Gilat Satcom has announced the launch of a portfolio of satellite services specifically targeting rural African markets, promising affordable connectivity allowing rural populations to "take control of their digital futures".

The "Village-Island" portfolio of services will allow rural inhabitants in Africa to access voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP), video over IP, cellular and Wi-Fi connections via affordable private satellite networks.

Gilat Satcom said prices for the services would start at US$1 per month for an individual inhabitant.

"We all know that there is demand for both voice and data in even the remotest villages of Africa. However, traditional satellite is still too expensive," said Eran Yoran, director of marketing and business development at Gilat Satcom

"Our Village Island solution has been specifically developed so that entrepreneurs can start a small business by providing a sustainable low cost service to friends and neighbours."

The Village Island will be provided by governments, NGOs, network operators, and major internet service providers (ISPs) to a specified group within a rural area - such as a church, school, village chief or other community organisation - which will act as the Village Nano-ISP.

The Village Nano-ISP will then be responsible for selling services directly to individual users in the village; and for billing users and paying the monthly service charge to the provider.

Gilat Satcom will provide detailed business plans to all parties to facilitate the creation of mutually-profitable and commercially sustainable models.

Three packages will be offered under the Village Island portfolio; starting with the "Basic Island" package - providing the Village Nano-ISP with two tablet devices for accessing the internet, VoIP and Video over IP services. Usage is uncapped and a fixed monthly rate is charged. The service also allows calls to be made to mobile and fixed telephones, although these will be billed separately.

The "Wi-Fi Island" package includes the offerings of the "Basic Island", as well as an additional wi-fi router with coverage of a 500 meter radius. Individual usernames and passwords can be generated to allow the community Nano-ISP to track usage and bill accurately. Individual users will be able to use the network via their own devices, or on the provided tablets; while additional routers can also be added to increase capacity or coverage.

The final "Cellular Island" package mirrors the Wi-Fi Island package, along with a GSM base station – which can be solar-powered – which will be integrated with the network of a local cellular operator.