In a groundbreaking move towards enhancing transactional security, Avanti Communications, a global leader in multi-orbit connectivity services, has successfully conducted a satellite connectivity test with BankservAfrica and Capitec Bank in South Africa
This pivotal test marks a significant advancement in the realm of digital banking, highlighting the transformative potential of satellite communications in bolstering financial operations. As Africa’s largest automated clearing house, BankservAfrica’s collaboration with Avanti showcases a forward-thinking approach to ensuring a resilient and digitally inclusive banking future.
Some of the insights from the satellite connectivity test are its link demonstrated consistent stability, a crucial element for uninterrupted financial transactions on Avanti’s GEO Ka HTS satellite.
Additionally, financial traffic was solely routed through Avanti’s satellite link, proving its capability to handle essential applications during disruptions in terrestrial links, such as fibre cuts or power issues.
The satellite link efficiently manages high transaction volumes during intensive production testing, underscoring its robustness.
The Senior Vice President of Sales and the Country Manager, Avanti, Gamze Aydin emphasized the importance of this development: “With South Africa’s financial institutions grappling with power grid instabilities and undersea cable malfunctions, this test signifies a major stride towards operational resilience.”
Aydin further stated: “By facilitating direct satellite connections to European traffic hubs, Avanti’s solution mitigates dependence on vulnerable local infrastructure. These tests affirm the role of satellite technology as a reliable and secure channel for financial transactions, crucial for maintaining operations under challenging conditions.”
The partnership with BankservAfrica and Capitec Bank represents a significant leap in technological innovation.
Ben Janse van Rensburg, Chief Technology Officer at BankservAfrica, remarked, “We engaged in the connectivity test to evaluate the feasibility of satellite technology for added resilience in the financial sector. The test met all critical benchmarks, and BankservAfrica is excited about incorporating this technology into our Managed Network Solution.
This initiative marks a crucial step towards fortifying the resilience of financial services across Africa. The success of the connectivity test demonstrates the viability of satellite communication in ensuring stable and reliable transaction environments, paving the way for a more secure and robust financial infrastructure.
