Ericsson trials solar site with satellite transmission in Cambodia

Ericsson has combined a GSM base station and satellite transmission in a solar-powered site, enabling Cambodian mobile operator Star-Cell to expand its network coverage in remote areas. The solution offers affordable communications for all and is based on Ericsson's energy-optimized main-remote base-station.
This is vital for bridging the digital divide, as about 80 percent of the Cambodian population lives outside the main urban centers.
The GSM main-remote solution has a lower environmental impact than standard base stations, consuming up to 50% less energy, and helps lower total cost of ownership by reducing operating costs.
Star-Cell has selected Ericsson's solution to expand network coverage and introduce EDGE-based applications to enable mobile health and educational services for rural communities.
Ericsson delivered its first solar-powered sites in 2000 to Maroc Telecom in Morocco, and has so far provided more than 200 sites in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Americas.