🚀 go-pugleaf

                       Request for information
		       =======================

A major Southern African organisation is planning to deliver a "Rural
Information Workstation", to provide access to information resources in
remote areas.  This will assist workers in health care, community
resource centres, etc.

A major concern is the lack of telecommunications infrastructure in the
region.  Some areas have telephone lines (usually impaired), while
others not only have no lines, but are geographically far from any
existing telecommunications infrastructure.  Because of this, they wish
to do a survey of techniques that can be used to provide a link for
store-and-forward e-mail in almost all conditions.

No one technology will cover the entire spectrum, so a heterogenous
network will evolve from this investigation.  The primary technologies
under consideration include (but are not limited to):

   Dial-up telephone with PEP/MNP-10
   Low-orbit satellite (LEOs)
   Inmarsat and similar geo-stationary satellites
   Microwave links
   HF, VHF and UHF packet radio
   "Sneaker-net"

Any input on the technologies above, or any other technologies that
might assist with this project, are welcome.  This is not limited to
commercial (or non-commercial) products, and ideas and suggestions for
custom-built equipment will also be considered.  In the case of existing
equipment, however, information about cost and availability would be
valuable.

Any user experiences with any of the above, or other, systems will be
most valuable, and will help them to determine the directions to
investigate first.

As always, time is limited, as the initial technologies must be chosen
by mid-March 1994.  Even a brief note, if there is no time for a more
complete response, would be appreciated.

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You may just have noticed how many groups this is cross-posted to :-).
It is humanly impossible to check all of them for responses, especially
as I have a limited and flakey newsfeeds.  I therefore implore you to
respond by e-mail, to <paul@frcs.alt.za>.
-- 
 Paul Nash                    network grunt and bit-pusher extraordinaire
 paul@frcs.alt.za          PO Box 12475, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa