Ministry of Information, Kuwait

When it was time to upgrade their existing 12 channel analogue audio distribution network to digital, Kuwait MOI decided to take the opportunity to expand the network to 24, channel capability using Giga-Com's versatile FLV-80 fixed microwave links.

The "Star Network" operating in the 8GHz band and comprising a central hub at the MOI Tower in Kuwait City plus remote sites (spokes) at Kabd, Magwaa, Jewan and Gharb Al Mubarkaya was undertaken by Giga-Com on a turnkey basis.

The system provides distribution for the entire country’s radio stations, so it needed not only full redundancy of all system electronics but also frequency and space diversity to guarantee signal availability in Kuwait’s challenging desert climate where thermal ducting can be a big problem. To avoid annoying "clicks" on the audio when the diversity changeover occurs, hitless switching was incorporated in the receiver demodulators.

Since completion of the initial project in 2005 an additional receive site has been installed in Liberation Tower and further expansion to the network is planned for 2007/8.

At the time of writing (August 07) the originally installed FLV-80s have so far provided 2 years of continuous operation with no loss of traffic.