Some call it the middle of nowhere.
You see, life in the Karoo (or any remote area, really. Think the Kalahari, Wild Coast, or even the Waterberg), has plenty going for it.
Wide-open spaces. Quiet roads free from traffic. Clear night skies. No traffic jams caused by somebody deciding to pick up passengers on the middle of the N1.
What it doesn’t have is reliable Internet infrastructure.
South Africans are not The Amish. We need Internet just like everyone else. Sadly, getting connected isn’t as simple as picking an ISP and waiting for a router. Fibre coverage can be limited, mobile signal inconsistent, and the nearest tower may just be in Kuvukiland.
Sound familiar? It’s where Satellite starts to make sense.
The Karoo was designed for hardcore people, not hardcore Internet
The Karoo (or any dorpie for that matter) isn’t exactly the Bermuda Triangle. It’s often large expanses spread across vast distances. Homes, farms, and businesses can be positioned far away from your conventional network infrastructure – the exact infrastructure which powers traditional internet.
Fibre needs cables. Wireless needs towers. Mobile network depends on network coverage and a sprinkle of luck. All of the above aren’t widely available in the greater remote South Africa.
The beauty of Satellite is that it requires none of the above; quite the contrary in fact. You see, Satellite works via an installed dish rather than external infrastructure, making it practical wherever the usual suspects struggle to reach.
Connect from anywhere (literally):
One of the biggest advantages of Satellite Internet is coverage.
Whether you live outside Beaufort West, run a farm near Carnarvon or operate a guesthouse three KM’s away the nearest town, Satellite Internet can provide connectivity in areas where other services may not be available.
You still need a suitable installation point and a clear view of the sky, but you are not dependent on Fibre being rolled out along your road (which may take a while). In the Karoo, that’s a fairly important distinction. Many people could be waiting a very, very long time (and the Internet, as we’ve learned, waits for nobody).
Hold up, why does my farm need Internet?
Because there’s more to connectivity than streaming movies and doomscrolling on TikTok. Many agriculture enterprises are as sophisticated as their big city counterparts. In fact, connectivity is part of daily operations, used for functions such as:
- Stock management and CRM
- Communicating with suppliers/customers
- Storing and accessing Cloud-based Data
- Security and monitoring
- Online banking/payments (kind of hard to EFT when your Internet is MIA)
- Invoicing and supplier management
- Running weather/tracking systems
Small tasks on the surface, but impossible ones without dependable internet (and an unnecessarily difficult headache too). Aside from this, Karoo-ers (yes, it’s a word) need Home Wi-Fi too.
Imagine driving 30km every time you need to check your Gmail? Wouldn’t work for us either.
Hidden benefit? Satellite opens up more working possibilities
Some people were born in the Karoo. Others found it while looking for space, peace, and a slower paced life.
The problem? You can only live and work remotely if the “remote” part works.
By opening up solid, dependable connectivity to even the most random towns (hello Poffader), we’re creating employment and business opportunities to hitherto restricted lands. Sure, it won’t behave like Fibre, but when the alternative is complete Internet dead zones, it’s a major improvement (and no slouch either).
Don’t forget the guest houses:
Many of us look for opportunities to switch off, but we still want the option to switch back on.
If you’re a guest house, lodge, or B&B, not having Internet is a major put off for potential customers. How else are your guests going to post their IG story if they need 3-5 working days for a single bar of signal? Not only can providing reliable connectivity improve their experience, it allows your business to remain competitive and stuck in the present tense.
Sold? Here’s what to consider:
- Coverage: is this even available in my location?
- Installation: do I have time and space for this potentially bulky installation?
- Speed: what do I need this for, and how much is enough?
- Data Caps: be mindful of FUP, and what happens after your limit is reached.
- Latency: Satellite usually has higher latency, as the Data travels further.
- Is this even right for me?
Satellite is a solid option for anyone in the Karoo (or any other ‘off-the-grid’ location) that:
- Can’t access Fibre
- Has unreliable mobile coverage
- Is far away from mobile/wireless towers
- Runs a rural business
- Has to send co-ordinates instead of an address for Waze
Remember: the best Internet is not always the one with the biggest speed number; it’s usually the one that’s available, works consistently, and supports the way you live.
Living far away means distance, space, and total independence – but it shouldn’t mean becoming obsolete. Satellite delves beyond the reach of traditional networks to connect the nation from further than ever before.
So, before accepting that poor signal is just part of life, give it a serious thought. You may be far away, but you don’t have to be offline.
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