Project for the Supply, Replacement and Installation of the ATNS VSAT Network.

This is a Regional project in to improve aeronautical fixed communication in Africa. The ATNS VSAT network consists of the following two Networks that will provide ATS/DS and AFTN aeronautical fixed communications for air traffic services in the participating countries.

SADC/2

The SADC CAC (Civil Aviation Committee) meeting endorsed the establishment of a SADC VSAT Supervisory Board at a meeting held on 14 May 2003.

The first meeting of the SADC VSAT Supervisory Board took place on 3-4 March 2004 in Johannesburg. During the meeting the board agreed in principle that ATNS and IATA can jointly operate and manage the new network that will replace the existing SADC VSAT Aeronautical Communication network that has been in place since 1998. A full proposal was submitted to the board during November 2004 with a response date of 15 January 2005.

The business case was accepted by the Supervisory Board during the meeting of 23 – 24 February 2005. All member States have signed a document approving ATNS/IATA as the network service provider for SADC VSAT 2.

The following States participate in the SADC network:

NAFISAT

ATNS has evaluated the viability of the "Cape to Cairo" network IATA and ATNS have submitted a proposal to jointly operate and manage the network to ICAO. A coordination meeting took place in Nairobi on 3 May 2004.

A NAFISAT meeting was held during July 2004 to consider the joint proposal submitted by IATA and ATNS to manage and operate NAFISAT. Five of the six states represented accepted the proposal. The meeting recommended that a multi-lateral contract be entered into and a number of States signed at the ICAO Assembly in Montreal last year.

Subsequent meetings resulted in the following signatures being obtained:

Negotiations with ASECNA regarding interconnectivity are ongoing.

The NAFISAT business case has been approved by the NAFISAT Supervisory Committee.

The acquisition of the new VSAT technology platform started on 23 September 2005 with the open call for VSAT suppliers to register their interest for the supply, installation and commissioning of a new technology platform and remote terminals.

From a total of forty three (43) responses received, a short list of 5 suppliers was presented to ATNS Exco on 31 October 2005. The Request for Tender was then issued to the short listed potential suppliers on 13 December 2005. Only 4 responses were received on 23 February 2006. After the Tender evaluation process which took place from 24 February 2006 – 24 March 2006, INEO Engineering and Systems emerged as the preferred bidder for the supply, installation and integration of a VSAT network for South African Internal VSAT (IVSAT), SADC (SADC VSAT II) and North East Africa (NAFISAT).

At the meeting held on 26/27 April 2006, the NAFISAT supervisory committee approved the recommendation of the tender evaluation committee. The supervisory board further ratified ATNS’ decision for the awarding of the tender to INEO.

Implementation Schedule
The contract commenced on 31 July 2006 and the planned commissioning date is on 10 August 2007