Power Line Communications

CENTEQ in partnership with GTS provides Broadband and Internet services to end-users. To cover the last few hundred meters to the client, the main technology used is Power Line Communications. PLC is currently the most elegant way to respond to the challenge of that “last mile”.

GTS originates from a spin-off of the PLC division of Grintek Telecom, one of the leading ICT companies in South Africa. Working for Grintek Telecom, the GTS team had been involved in Power Line Communications for the two years prior to the creation of GTS in September 2004.

CENTEQ in partnership with GTS is the only integrator and value added reseller appointed by Mitsubishi Electric for the SADC region for their PLC technology. The Broadband network provided by CENTEQ is a robust, Telco-grade solution.

GTS is part of the international Mikcor group of companies. Through Mikcor and Telecel, CENTEQ in partnership with GTS has access to the know-how to deploy and maintain large telecommunication networks.

Based on the 200Mbps chip set from DS2, the Mitsubishi solution makes it commercially attractive to deliver in excess of 5Mbps to each home in a community. That level of bandwidth allows not only telephony (VoIP) and fast Internet connection but also high quality television and smooth video streaming. It is an open system, designed to be tailored to specific clients’ or communities’ needs.

Users have full choice of equipment upstream and downstream of the PLC network. The PLC system itself has high levels of security. A non-negligible advantage of a PLC network is the ability to integrate it to remote power metering and control.

This Broadband technology is the enabler of a number of commercial services that CENTEQ has incorporated in its portfolio:

Telephony (Internal and External).
Broadband Intranet / Internet.
E-mail and messaging services.
Security services – Enhanced remote surveillance monitoring and access control.
Video-on-demand and video streaming – Virtual video store.
Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and pre-paid electricity.
On-line computer gaming
eCommerce – link to shopping malls.
Frail care – link-up of home-based patients to local hospitals.

CENTEQ has developed integrated solutions for two main markets is South Africa: local government and secure housing estates. The government solution is driven by the most cost effective way to provide basic services. The drive for secure housing estates is the need to provide a future-proof solution that meets today’s sophisticated requirements.

More than just a last mile conduit for Broadband delivery, CENTEQ provides a complete range of services and applications to the client.

WHO BENEFITS

Any electricity user can benefit from the conversion of the power grid into a Broadband communications network, without the need for additional cabling. The technology can be either built into new facilities or retrofitted to existing ones.

Housing estates
Apartment buildings
Office developments
Hotels
Shopping centers
Law enforcement agencies
Municipalities

Internal telephony

In a security estate, private community, office complex, etc… calls to and from the guardhouse and between residents become internal calls and therefore do not attract connection fees. The PLC Broadband network allows for video telephony.

Security monitoring

The Broadband Internet Protocol (IP) network permits the fast and flexible deployment of surveillance cameras. Linking to other security systems, like electric fences, motion and seismic detectors, armed response is possible. Thanks to the flexibility of the IP network, monitoring can be done from a control centre or by the members of the community.

Access control

Included in the CENTEQ suite of services is biometric access control, more commonly known as fingerprint access control. The service runs comfortably on the IP based PLC network and users are easily registered or removed from the system by means of an enrolment reader. Real-time statistics are provided to comprehensively manage access to an environment, significantly improving security and reducing the potential of crime.

Broadband internet & e-mail

Always-on, fast Internet connection at highly competitive rates. Broadband Intranet within communities, allowing for video distribution, exchange of information and high-speed computer games between the members of the community.

Automatic meter reading

CENTEQ provides a real-time, continuous management and reading of utility meters. It uses the PLC Broadband network to transmit the information. The system exists in postpay or pre-pay.

THE TECHNOLOGY

MV Node (TE)

The Medium Voltage Node is installed at HV/MV and MV/LV transformer stations. Its role is to provide the bridging between the Backbone Network (Fiberoptic, Wireless) and the PLC network. Throughout the PLC network, one MV Node unit is placed in each transformer station. Flexible in its applications, the MV Node may be configured to receive and relay communication between other MV Nodes, as well as communicate with a number of Low Voltage units down the LV power grid. For maximum flexibility in an array of applications, options include backup batteries, all-weather cabinets and a Gigabit Ethernet module.

Repeater (IE)

The Repeater is installed in a meter room (apartment complex/office block), in a local sub-station/meter point or sometimes at a meter box (residential areas / single dwelling units). Its role is to regenerate the PLC signal for better coverage on the LV power line and to relay communication between neighbouring units, including an MV Node, an LV Head End, another Repeater, and CPEs. To achieve best value vs. performance ratio and depending on customer-preferred configuration, Repeaters are available as Time Division or Frequency Division technologies.

User Modem (CPE)

The Customer Premises Equipment is the end-user modem. It is designed for quick and easy installation by home users. For broadband services (TCP/IP), the CPE connects to a PC / printer / server / router via its Ethernet or USB interfaces. For voice services (H323 or SIP), it features a standard RJ11 connector, for a regular analogue telephone. Self-contained and compact, the CPE features an internal low-noise power supply and built-in coupling unit. The self-configuration mode ensures maximum “user friendliness” of the CPE - just plug it in!

COSTING

The Voice Internal Telephony solution costs on average R99 per unit over a 3 year contract period. NO CAPITAL cost as the equipment is owned, installed and maintained by CENTEQ during this period. After the 3 year period and additional 3 year contract can be negotiated or the Equipment can be purchased out right and a separate maintenance contract entered into.
Pricing will depend on size of the installation.