Satpoint Satellite Connectivity for Mobile Libraries

Although Public Library Standards place demanding requirements on library authorities to provide facilities to the public via physical buildings wherever possible, we know that to be socially inclusive there are some places that can only be effectively reached by a mobile library. We also know that the People’s Network has provided high performance Internet links to those physical libraries, whilst many mobile libraries suffer from lack of connectivity, or from links via expensive and unreliable cellphone technology.

The solution is satellite connectivity, which provides fast online access to both your Library Management System (whoever supplies it) and to the Internet, at the touch of a button without any specialist training.

If you want reliable Broadband Internet Connectivity for your mobile library via a fast deploying satellite link then look no further – Axiell has the solution and it’s called SatPoint.

How does it work?

This tried and tested system uses a motorised antenna of less than 1 metre, mounted on the roof of the mobile library. On arrival at each stop, a single button push deploys the antenna, which finds the wanted satellite fully automatically

The satellite modem automatically synchronises with your network and establishes the broadband Internet connection. From arriving at your stop to having broadband Internet connectivity available is typically 5 minutes.

The antenna weighs less than 50 kgs and the installation process onto a typical Mobile Library is a matter of a few hours.

 The satellite operates at a high elevation angle and uses a very high performance transponder, thereby reducing the risk of very high trees or buildings blocking the line-of-sight to the satellite and so allows maximum flexibility in vehicle location at any desired location.

SatPoint provides public static IP addresses and any level of guaranteed bandwidth or contention from 1:1 to 10:1, with total control of the traffic flow all the way to the main UK Internet-backbone switching centre at Telehouse London.

The network supports the vast majority of VPN services requiring no special configuration as well as VoIP and other services normally available using terrestrial Internet connections.

A key element of the system is the high quality motorised antenna, which is light (45 kgs) and can be deployed within 30 seconds of power-up. A ‘one-button’ operation either deploys or stows the satellite dish and requires no operator training. The equipment is completely stand alone and requires no peripheral equipment (e.g. a PC) to operate it. It will normally find the satellite and reach peak performance in less than 3 minutes from deployment.

As a safety feature, to reduce the risk of driving away with the antenna deployed, it features an ‘auto-stow’ function which automatically stows the antennas if it senses movement of the vehicle.

Who supplies the solution?

The solution is supplied by Fatpipe Satcom, a highly experienced supplier of satellite communication systems with 30 years experience of military and professional environments that uniquely owns and operates its own satellite capacity and network hub system to provide this Broadband Internet service. Recently Fatpipe has provided satellite connectivity for a mobile library in Darlington.

Fatpipe has selected the optimum satellite solution for this type of service and has adopted market leading networking technology to develop SatPoint for Axiell.

In addition to the live implementation in Darlington, Fatpipe and Axiell have conducted thorough testing with Galaxy, OpenGalaxy and public web products including DScovery, Viewpoint and DServe, both internally, and where possible, with other Axell customers.

Fatpipe holds the vast majority of spare parts for the antenna and deploys field engineers who are very familiar with the product. A 24/7 support hotline is provided and site visits can be made to the vehicle in business hours.

Fatpipe has worked with many coachbuilders and liaises with them during the build of new vehicles to ensure the system is properly incorporated. This takes place with virtually no input required from the customer.

Because Fatpipe operates its own network they are able to offer very flexible and cost-effective service packages to suit any requirement.

Darlington Borough Council

Formerly part of County Durham, the Borough of Darlington achieved Unitary Status on 1 April 1997. With a population of approximately 100,000, the Borough comprises a compact urban area with a rural hinterland and twelve small villages.

Darlington is an important market town serving the region of South Durham and North Yorkshire. It combines a modern shopping centre with traditional industrial, agricultural and commercial activities. There is a long tradition of skills ranging from heavy engineering and light industry to banking and financial activities, and the town is universally acknowledged as being the birthplace of the railways.

Darlington Library Service recently launched a new mobile library with satellite connectivity supplied by Fatpipe. Visiting approximately 100 locations throughout the 20,000 hectares that are served by Darlington Library Service, this large vehicle operates as the third branch of the library service, supplementing its two large static libraries.

During its 3-week rota it stops at farms, supermarkets, public houses, residential care homes, the new hospital and one stop is right outside the offices of the Orange Call Centre - there’s irony for you!

In particular it makes regular visits to The Education Village, nationally recognised as an exemplary example of making modern education facilities available on one site for a range of schools, including primary, secondary and special needs. It also stops at other schools and makes specific class visits and provides information, support and guidance to both the rural and urban communities in Darlington. Although the size of the vehicle can be a challenge for the driver navigating the narrow streets it also provides a spacious home for many services essential to the community.

Some stops are for 2 hours although others are for only 20 or 30 minutes and the stock is changed to suit the audience.