Kalistan

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KalSat and KRTVN to partner to upgrade national internet infrastructure
Multiple civilian, industrial and defense benefits expected
Spencer, Duchy of Suldanor
December 1, 5648


A trench with fiber optic communication lines, this summer in Yoshimi

KalSat, Kalistan's satellite communications network has announced that they are teaming up with the Kalistani Radio and Television Network to improve the internet infrastructure in Kalistan and Ananto. The press conference, held at KalSat's national HQ in Spencer, said both companies have decided to invest in improving the speed and reliability of Kalistan's internet, to improve consumer outcomes, to enhance industrial applications and to improve military command and control within the Empire. The announcement was made by KalSat's spokesperson, Francesca Ayala.

"For centuries we have relied pretty heavily on the coaxial cable infrastructure of KRTVN," said Ayala. "They themselves have long said that this puts Kalistan at somewhat of a disadvantage behind the standard in the most advanced nations, but the lack of significant investment from the National Government has required KRTVN to focus on maintenance of existing lines, rather than switching to a fully new infrastructure. The arrival of KalSat's satellite communications, through television and internet represented a significant improvement, at least on the consumer side, but we are now in a position to work together to take the next step and lay buried Fiber optic, to multiply our connection speeds geometrically rather than algebraically."

Ayala laid out a multi-year plan to connect cities across Kalistan, and to lay a trunk line both between the Kalistani Mainland and Ananto, and then another trunk line to junctions in Keris and Dovani. "The National Government has committed to the project by dedicating NSP Companies in each Duchy to the project," said Ayala. "On the mainland, NSP conscripts will begin in Suldanor, Odufaray and Vrassa, and then gradually expand from Eshar into Nevaras and then Vrassa City from the North and Frontera Suldanor to Lhasa from the South. Meanwhile, Ananto NSP will be in charge of their own project, connecting Kaliburg to Eveari, Bozo River, and Luxon. When Kaliburg and Eshar are connected to the main lines, cable will be laid across the Ananto Strait to connect the entire empire."

Ayala also said Cities will generally be connected. "The Free Cities themselves will act as hubs to bring the fiber optic cables out into their hinterlands," said Ayala. "The Cities will obviously have access to the infrastructure first, with Universities, Government Buildings and Public buildings taking priorities within the Cities themselves. And then once the outline of the structure is laid down, KRTVN will open hubs to internet service providers, including KalSat, to begin operations."

The Defense department will reserve specific lines for secure encrypted communications and C&C. "The Regular Force still relies pretty heavily on microwave bands, especially for deployed units that don't have a solid connections to base. But laying a defense fiberoptic network will help clear the microwave bands to allow the Regular force to focus those RF bands specifically for communications both off shore and with active units in the field."

Ayala said that the biggest beneficiary of the fiberoptic, and one of the main drivers of the infrastructure upgrade is business and industry, including the finance industry, who will benefit from applications ranging from up to the split second information about world events that might shape the KalSiE to the development of server farms that run quantum computers. "We would see the rise of AI in a big way here as communication speeds drastically improve and allow computers to talk to one another much faster, and more efficiently."

Ayala said Phase 1, which connects hubs in the Free Cities over the countryside, could take as long as ten years and will carry an estimated pricetag of ₭125 Million Rubles. "Luckily most of the labor costs are being born by NSP, though we will need to contract line specialists to oversee handling of the cable to ensure we can lay the cable properly and then rebury the lines and disturb as little of the landscape as possible." Ayala said 12.5 million a year won't put a great strain on the budget. "When we begin expanding through the cities in Phase 2, the price per mile will likely drop, and could be significantly less expensive, since we aren't excavating through mountains and forests, but city architecture tends to allow for easier access to infrastructure. But it will also take longer because we won't be able to work in straight lines the way we can in the country."

Ayala believes this project will take about as long as building the National MagLev Rail network through Kalistan and Ananto. "Its a generational project, and we expect to employ tens of thousands especially when we get into Phase 2, which will be welcomed by the National Government no doubt as it will further bottleneck the labor market. But the end result will be faster and more reliable communications, and also, by the way, lower maintenance costs in the long run, which will help KRTVN and local providers lower costs for consumers."

Ayala said the first trenches will be excavated in April of next year.

@TheRepublic