However, for the convenience of VITA, whose computer was running communications with other groups around the world, it was decided the U.S. computer would call Jos at 9 p.m. EST three times a week and limit retries to a one-hour window. The first time transmission was tried, I stayed awake to monitor the call and transmission, and both were uneventful. Back in Nigeria, we continued testing and were able to transfer word-processing files and binary files. Line quality was fair but sometimes it got so bad that the modems did not connect after many tries, or the lines would fail halfway through transmission. As mentioned, the lack of adequate infrastructure is the key problem in establishing telematics in Africa.
Power supply is also a problem - too little and too much.
Luckily, there was no combustible material nearby so the fire didn't spread. To protect against this and other hazards, a surge protector for the modem and the phone line itself were acquired. Even though we were using a laptop with a battery, the UPS was necessary because the external modem would need power in the event of a power failure. Sadly, after the initial test period of three to six months, RBF did not follow the project up, and the e-mail was not implemented for them. With many of the bugs worked out, it would be worth giving it a second look.