Q&As_03-14-2019.docx

Solicitation 19ER1019Q0001 – Satellite Internet Services Questions and Answers

Q1: Can you please confirm the satellite terminal hardware and modem that will be provided by the government or please confirm if the contract must provide the terminal and modem? Please include the manufacturer name and model # of the terminal and modem and include the G/T, antenna gain, EIRP, reflector size, BUC size and type & length of IFL cabling used (or estimated or calculated cable losses) so we can confirm the Link budget for the satellite link.

A1: Currently the Embassy has a 2.5 meter diameter dish (no visible manufacturer or model number) mounted to the roof with a NorSat 3120 LNB. The IBUC is a Terasat IBR058064. The router is a UHP Networks 230 series.

http://www.norsat.com/wp-content/uploads/3000_lnb.pdf http://emeasat.com/directory/product/terrasat-c-band-ibuc-2-ibr058064-xxxxxxxx http://www.uhp.net/products/routers/uhp-230/

Q2: Can the government confirm the current or previously used satellite for coverage in the desired area?

A2: Africasat-1A satellite

Q3: Does the contractor need to provide any IP Phone lines with the internet service?

A3: No IP phone lines are needed from the contractor.

Q4: Who is the incumbent contractor?

A4: BusinessCom Networks

Q5: How many RJ45 Ethernet ports must be provided for connection of end user devices?

A5: Service provided by the contractor ends at the Embassy’s Telecommunications Service Entrance Facilities Room. No RJ-45 connections are required to end users.

Q6: Are there certain requirements for the size/space allocation for satellite terminals for Programs A & C? Does it need to be a transportable size antenna, or will it be fixed?

A6: There are no size/space requirements. The satellite terminal will be fixed to a flat roof.

Q7: The requirements are all symmetric (equal bandwidth for upload and download) and this normally means internet over fiber. For satellite service, it is more cost effective to take the upload to be about half or even quarter of the download capacity to reduce equipment and bandwidth costs. For example 8 Download and 4 (or 2) Upload. Would you please clarify that you are not actually looking for internet over fiber with wireless last mile?

A7: Because fiber is not available in Eritrea, we are not looking for internet over fiber with wireless only over the last mile.

Q8: Could you share the number of users with us so we can provide ideas/recommendations?

A8: Service provided by the contractor ends at the Embassy’s Telecommunications Service Entrance Facilities Room. No RJ-45 connections are required to end users. There are approximately 100 end-user stations.