Hellas Sat has partnered with Africom Holdings to assist the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. Hellas Sat is providing free unlimited broadband connectivity to 127 public clinics and hospitals across the country. The deployment was undertaken by Africom Holdings which resuscitated connectivity to infrastructure that was initially set up in 2016 at various clinics and hospitals but due to challenges in accessing adequate foreign currency to pay monthly rentals the sites have been idle.

ICT Tools used: The connectivity service is provided through satellite (Hellas Sat 3 satellite @39⁰E). The satellite broadband gateway that used is installed and operated in HELLAS SAT Teleport facility in Cyprus. At the remote sites (hospitals and clinics) a satellite modem and small VSAT antenna is installed for the reception and transmission of the internet broadband traffic. The network is operating in star network topology. At the remote sites (hospitals, clinics), telephony and Information Gathering tools are interconnected to the satellite modem for the use of the broadband service provided. Information gathering provides faster times in collecting data and moving it to policy makers. Telephony aids faster coordination and lowers communication cost.

https://www.hellas-sat.net/

• Zimbabwe

The project that includes the provision of broadband connectivity over satellite as well as the integration of ICT for the provision of services to Hospitals and clinics can be replicated and implemented also to other countries with low penetration of terrestrial connectivity.

The gains and benefits offered by this project and its impact on the operations of the hospitals and clinics is a great mean for its sustainability. Equipment needed for the provision of the service are already in place and available. The benefits for using them in combination with satellite broadband will eventually create the required resources (financially) for the continuation of the project.

This project supports clinics and hospitals' work by building up the communication and information infrastructure, which promotes WSIS values C2. Information and communication infrastructure and C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-health.