Communications Africa 6 2012

CAF 6 2012 Cover_Layout 1 30/10/2012 14:49 Page 1

Issue 6 2012 Édition Issue 6 2012

Africa

Afrique

www.communicationsafrica.com

AfricaCom

VAS Comviva’s commitment to mobile money

Infrastructure Howard Earley of Plessey on managed services

Exploring Africa’s digital ecosystem

Des solutions logicielle de paiement mobile

Broadband Superfast broadband support from Alcatel-Lucent

Fibre Enterprise connectivity for African commerce

Network RF planning to address infrastructure inefficiency

Réseaux Un institut, l'économie Khalil Al Hindwan, SVP and GM at Acision, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, writes on mobile messaging over IP architecture Europe m15 - Kenya KSH300 - Nigeria N400 - South Africa R20 - UK £10 - USA $16.50

FEATURES: ● Internet ● Mobile ● Infrastructure REGULAR REPORTS: ● Bulletin - Agenda ● Equipment - Équipement

et la société

S01 CAF 6 2012 Start_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:04 Page 2

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Wholesale Solutions W

S01 CAF 6 2012 Start_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:04 Page 3

CONTENTS

Issue 6 2012 Édition Issue 6 2012

Africa

Afrique

www.communicationsafrica.com

AfricaCom

VAS

Exploring Africa’s

Comviva’s commitment to mobile money

Infrastructure Howard Earley of Plessey on managed services

digital ecosystem

Des solutions logicielle de paiement mobile

Broadband Superfast broadband support from Alcatel-Lucent

Bulletin

4

Events

8

Agenda

10

Equipment

31

Fibre Enterprise connectivity for African commerce

Network RF planning to address infrastructure inefficiency

Réseaux Khalil Al Hindwan, SVP and GM at Acision, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, writes on mobile messaging over IP architecture

Un institut, l'économie et la société

Europe m15 - Kenya KSH300 - Nigeria N400 - South Africa R20 - UK £10 - USA $16.50

FEATURES: ● Internet ● Mobile ● Infrastructure REGULAR REPORTS: ● Bulletin - Agenda ● Equipment - Équipement

A note from the Editor AMONGST THIS CONTINENT’S biggest events, AfricaCom presents again a showcase of innovations and opportunities to share knowledge of deployment and development. From page 26, you can preview the key portfolios promoted in Africa. Read, then, of social and economic development through the deployment of advanced technologies for Internet (p.

32-34, for mobile (p. 36-41), for content (p 43), and for broadcasting (p 44).

Main Cover Image: Plessey Inset: Acision

FEATURES AfricaCom

26

Enterprise connectivity is promoted alongside consumer-facing service provision at AfricaCom, within industry development of the continent’s digital ecosystem

Internet

32

Fibre for last-mile corporate connectivity, to serve economic development across Africa

Mobile

36

How advances in the test equipment market can affect operators’ capabilities

Network

38

Notes on RF planning to maximise and optimise networks; stanble energy supply for server environments; the future state of information-driven economic development; and operating systems to suit digital markets and multiple device scenarios

VAS

43

How social networking can be combined with the entertainment industry to serve profit margins

Broadcast

44

The technical expertise that underpins developments in satellite broadcasting, delivering benefits to African audiences

Profile

46

Acision’s support for provision of seamless messaging services; Inmarsat’s take on current and future mobile satellite scenarios for broadcasters; Plessey offers a brief on infrastructure and managed services; Comviva’s commitment to mobile finance; and SkyVision’s new market reach into West Africa

Une note du rédacteur

Bulletin

6

DANS CE NUMÉRO, il y a un article de service de transfert d’argent, une plateforme de paiement mobile, qui est présenté à l'exposition AfricaCom. Aussi, nous vous offrons un rapport sur l'impact des avancées du numérique sur l'économie et la société dans le monde.

Agenda

20

AfricaCom

29

Un service de transfert d’argent, une plateforme de paiement mobile

Réseaux

42

L'impact des avancées du numérique sur l'économie et la société dans le monde

Équipement

54

Managing Editor: Andrew Croft - andrew.croft@alaincharles.com

Audit Bureau of Circulations Business Magazines

Editorial and Design team: Bob Adams, Lizzie Carroll, David Clancy, Ranganath GS, Kasturi Gupta, Meenakshi Nambiar, Prashant AP, Genaro Santos, Zsa Tebbit, Nicky Valsamakis, Julian Walker and Ben Watts Publisher: Nick Fordham Advertising Sales Director: Pallavi Pandey Magazine Sales Manager: Steve Thomas - Tel: +44 20 7834 7676, Fax: +44 20 7973 0076, Email: stephen.thomas@alaincharles.com Country China India Nigeria Russia South Africa Qatar UAE USA

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Production: Donatella Moranelli, Nasima Osman, Devolina Pal, Jeremy Walters, Nick Salt and Sophia White - Email: production@alaincharles.com Subscriptions: circulation@alaincharles.com Chairman: Derek Fordham Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Ltd Communications Africa/Afrique is bi-monthly magazine ISSN: 0962 3841

Serving the world of business

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

3

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BULLETIN SES and Castor Networks work on capacity through NSS-7 to meet southern African demand DUTCH PROVIDER OF teleport, VSAT and broadcasting services Castor Networks is working on a capacity expansion agreement signed recently with SES to utilise capacity on the NSS-7 satellite to meet the growing needs for connectivity throughout Southern Africa; Castor Networks is utilising capacity to enable the delivery of voice and data across corporate networks of oil & gas and mining industries, ISPs and governments in countries such as Angola, Mozambique and South Africa.

Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei lead optical vendors INFONETICS RESEARCH OFFERS, in a report titled 2012 Optical Equipment Vendor Leadership: Global Service Provider Survey, which service providers' perceptions of optical equipment suppliers and criteria for choosing vendors; the market research firm interviewed 10G/40G/100G optical transmission and switching equipment purchase-decision makers at 20 incumbent, competitive and mobile operators from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), North America, Asia Pacific, and the Caribbean and Latin America - covering service providers’ familiarity with optical equipment vendors, vendors installed and under evaluation, selection criteria, and their rankings of vendors’ technology, pricing, service and support, product reliability, financial stability, management tools, R&D investment, and TCO - finding that Alcatel-Lucent receives the best overall marks from service providers, particularly for its technology, management, product reliability, and service and support, and that Huawei climbed from 3rd place in 2011 to 1st this year among vendors being evaluated for future optical purchases.

satellite infrastructure to ensure seamless coverage using a 1 meter subscriber terminal; Mouritz Snyder, Operations Manager of SkyeVine, says the partnership adds significant value to the company's ongoing mission to extend the value of VSAT broadband connectivity, to eliminate the need for increased base station connectivity, which is costly to set up and sustain, as well as the backhaul of data from the station to core network.

Comprion test solution prevents expensive failure in OTA-managed UICC services OVER THE AIR (OTA) technology enables remote introduction of new UICC services and applications without the need to exchange the card, but the complexity of the OTA setup compels network operators to test comprehensively; Comprion’s OTA end-to-end test solution provides the infrastructure to Comprion's OTA test scenarios test complex OTA use cases in a lab environment, with tests being developed on a project basis concerning the specific use case (end-to-end testing, server tests, card tests, terminal tests).

Volubill solution supports converged charging and policy management THE LATEST VERSION of Volubill’s Business System 6.0 (VBS), the company’s converged charging and policy software, provides a new powerful service creation environment for easy GUI-based definition of business services and network rules - so that operators can now complement existing investments in DPI/PCEF and design the lifecycle of subscriber data services, in order to maximise revenues but also provide the customer with options that suit their personal requirements; Peter Flynn, VP Product at Volubill, said, “VBS 6.0 interoperates swiftly with existing OSS infrastructure including IN, OCS and PCRF systems, to deliver dynamic market oriented services whilst maximising legacy investments. The product has moved with the market, and with input from our customers it fulfils the requirements for a wide range of today’s telecoms use-cases.”

Exset launches digital monetisation system "As much as equipment vendors talk about the importance of vendor financial stability, when we talk to optical buyers at network operators around the world, price and total cost of ownership (TCO) come up as the factors they care most about overall." -- Andrew Schmitt, Principal Analyst, Optical, Infonetics Research (Graphic: Infonetics Research)

iBurst expands wireless satellite reach with SkyeVine AN ESTABLISHED SERVICE provider for wireless Internet access and business communications solutions, iBurst has extended the coverage of its wireless network as a result of a satellite access partnership with SkyeVine, a wholesale operator and provider of data broadband services for Africa - SkyeVine provides licensed ISPs throughout subSaharan Africa with the ability to provide ubiquitous, prepaid, unshaped Internet coverage governed by a pricing model Mouritz Snyder, Operations based on usage to their customers, Manager of SkyeVine utilising the New Dawn geostationary

4

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

BROADCAST TECHNOLOGY AND solutions company Exset’s Digital Monetisation System (DMS) facilitates the transformation and monetisation of television platforms across Africa, assisting in the closing of the digital divide; Rahul Nehra, Global Head Sales & Chief Marketing Officer, said, “By DMS is designed to power the Africa Page providing new revenue streams – an interactive digital service for through interactive public broadcast television networks like DTT/DTH across Africa, particularly services and interactive where internet/computer penetration and advertising revenues, the literacy presents a challenge Africa Page allows operators to provide services to populaces that have so far not been able to receive or afford them - it also facilitates the rollout of free-to-air systems by providing alternative revenue streams. The model proposes to drive revenues to the extent that the digitisation process becomes selffinancing in three-five years.”

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SHAPING N NEW EW CONNECTIONS

S01 CAF 6 2012 Start_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:04 Page 6

BULLETIN SatADSL commercialisera le service SES Broadband en Afrique subsaharienne SES BROADBAND SERVICES, filiale de SES, a annoncé d’un accord avec SatADSL portant sur la distribution, en Afrique subsaharienne, de son service à large bande par satellite SES Broadband - un service haute performance qui a fournis par le biais du satellite ASTRA 4A, depuis sa position orbitale de 5 degrés Est; SatADSL commercialise SES Broadband afin d'offrir un accès Internet aux entreprises, aux banques, aux organisations nongouvernementales et aux institutions gouvernementales situées dans des lieux reculés à travers toute l'Afrique subsaharienne, pour des applications sensibles telles que les transactions financières ou les transferts de données sécurisés.

neXetera lance KySSME, sa première application web HTML5 dédiée à la gestion de notes sécurisées NEXETERA (NEXETERA.COM) A lancé KySSME (Keep your Secrets Secret – Mobile Edition), sa première application web HTML5 dédiée à la gestion de notes sécurisées; KySSME est est gratuit, il est simple à utiliser, il gère plusieurs types de note, il offre la sécurité des données utilisateurs de bout en bout grâce un double chiffrement client-serveur, il est accessible tant avec un équipement personnel que celui d’un tiers avec la même sécurité, il fonctionne également sans connexion Internet grâce à la synchronisation des données utilisateurs, et il propose une large palette d’options de personnalisation.

Nokia Xpress, qui améliore l’efficacité de la navigation internet mobile de 90 % et accélère l’accès aux applications Web par rapport aux navigateurs conventionnels.

Technologie de calcul avancée LENOVO A LANCÉ dernier né de sa gamme phare d’ordinateurs de bureau de Série M - le ThinkCentre M78, conçu pour moyennes et grandes entreprises; équipé des tous derniers processeurs ultra rapides APU (Accelerated Processing Units) série A d’AMD, le M78 offre aux professionnels un ordinateur fiable et puissant, sans compromis sur la sécurité et la consommation énergétique.

Adobe joue la carte HTML5 avec les outils Edge ADOBE A DÉCIDÉ de donner un coup d'accélérateur vers le monde du web dans sa gamme d'outils, avec Edge Tools & Services; c'est un grand pas effectué en faveur de HTML5, des designers, développeurs et intégrateurs, qui ne disposaient jusqu'à présent que de peu de programmes avant-gardistes dans la Creative Suite pour exploiter les nouveaux modes de conception de sites et d'applications web.

Office offre tactile, social, et cloud LA NOUVELLE VERSION de Microsoft Office « Customer Preview » a été conçue avec une interface simple dans l’esprit Metro prévue pour fonctionner de façon optimale sur écran tactile, avec prise de notes au stylet - et on pense bien sûr d’abord aux futures tablettes Windows 8, taillées sur mesure pour cette nouvelle mouture de la suite célèbre suite bureautique de Microsoft; selon Steve Ballmer, qui parle de « new, modern Office » ou encore de « nouvelle vague Office », cette nouvelle version s’adresse indifféremment aux professionnels, aux particuliers, mais aussi à cette frange grandissante d’utilisateurs qui se situent entre les deux, qui travaillent dans un bureau en entreprise ou chez eux sur leur bureau virtuel.

Nokia élargit sa gamme de téléphones tactiles Asha

Le Nokia Asha 309

6

NOKIA A DÉVOILÉ les Nokia Asha 308 et Nokia Asha 309, les derniers-nés de la gamme de téléphones tactiles Asha; le Nokia Asha 308 (double carte SIM) et le Nokia Asha 309 (une seule carte SIM) permettent d’accéder à Internet rapidement et à moindre coût - et, pour une expérience Internet encore plus intelligente, Nokia a publié une nouvelle version du navigateur web

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

Le ThinkCentre M78

Autour de l’extension capacitaire sur NSS-7 pour couvrir la hausse des besoins de connectivité SES ET CASTOR Networks ont signé un contrat d'extension capacitaire sur le satellite NSS-7 de SES, afin de répondre à la demande croissante de connectivité à travers toute l'Afrique du Sud; Castor Networks exploitera cette nouvelle capacité pour acheminer voix et données sur les réseaux professionnels des industries pétrolière, gazière et minière, des fournisseurs d'accès à Internet et des agences gouvernementales dans des pays comme l'Angola, le Mozambique et l'Afrique du Sud.

Gemalto étend une solution de paiement mobile aux services de transfert d’argent à international GEMALTO, ENTREPRISE MONDIAL de la sécurité numérique, ont annoncé l’expansion de sa solution logicielle de paiement mobile qui comprendra désormais le service de transfert d’argent à l’international proposé par Western Union; la plateforme de paiement mobile LinqUs de Gemalto a été certifiée par le réseau de distributeurs Western Union - et offrira aux utilisateurs finaux de nouvelles options de transfert et de réception d’argent à l’échelle internationale depuis leur téléphone mobile.

S02 CAF 6 2012 Agenda 01_Layout 1 30/10/2012 10:42 Page 7

BROADBAND EVERYONE BECAUSE YOUR INTERNET SHOULD BE AS FAST AS YOUR BUSINESS.

YahClick Satellite Broadband is a game-changing service that is: s High-performance – Delivers high-speed and consistent service quality through a high power satellite system s Reliable – Connects you through a direct link to the satellite so you’re never disconnected s Wide-reaching – Covers areas where traditional Internet access is limited or non-existent s Affordable – Offers a range of subscription packages that cater to your budget

www.yahsat.com/yahclick facebook.com/yahclickservice

twitter.com/yahclickservice

youtube.com/yahsatofficial

S02 CAF 6 2012 Agenda 01_Layout 1 30/10/2012 10:42 Page 8

AGENDA

Events 2012/2013 DECEMBER/DÉCEMBRE Southern Africa ICT Summit

5-6

Maputo, Mozambique

www.aitecafrica.com

JANUARY/JANVIER 30 Jan-1 Feb

Digital Information Processing and Communications (ICDIPC)

Dubai, UAE

sdiwc.net

FEBRUARY/FÉVRIER 13-14

Banking & Mobile Money COMESA

Nairobi, Kenya

www.aitecafrica.com

20-23

ICT4Africa

Harare, Zimbabwe

www.ictforafrica.org

25-27

MilSatCom Middle East & Africa

Dubai, UAE

25-28

Mobile World Congress

Barcelona, Spain

5-6

IFSEC West Africa

Lagos, Nigeria

11-12

Mobile Money World Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

www.terrapinn.com

11-13

Cards & Payments Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

www.terrapinn.com

11-13

Information Security World Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

www.terrapinn.com

12-14

CABSAT

Dubai, UAE

13-14

Banking & Mobile Money West Africa

Lagos, Nigeria

www.aitecafrica.com

19-20

Banking & Mobile Money West Africa

Accra, Ghana

www.aitecafrica.com

19-21

CABSAT

Dubai, UAE

www.smi-online.co.uk www.mobileworldcongress.com

MARCH/MARS www.ifsecwestafrica.com

www.cabsat.com

www.cabsat.com

Helping NGOs to control satellite communications costs INMARSAT REINFORCED ITS commitment to the Humanitarian Aid sector recently, with new initiatives for its popular IsatPhone Pro mobile satellite handset and new broadband service BGAN Link, helping NGOs keep a tighter control of their satellite communications costs.

Inmarsat launched its IsatPhone Pro humanitarian package at AidEx 2012. The package offers NGOs a reliable voice service with large bundles of minutes for a low monthly charge. It will allow NGOs to take advantage of a dependable voice service in the field while benefitting from predictable monthly charges.

Inmarsat has promoted, also, its latest broadband service - BGAN Link - which allows NGOs working on location for sustained periods of time to take advantage of a highvolume usage broadband service for a fixed monthly price. The service comes in 5, 10 or 15GB packages, depending on data needs, and allows access to typical office applications such as e-mail, Internet and intranet access, and VPN access to corporate networks, wherever their operations are based. If the user exceeds their monthly allowance, they are simply charged for the additional usage at the in-bundle per-MB rate, or can have a free upgrade to the next data package. NGOs that require total cost control for peace of mind can select an option that cumulatively monitors

8

daily usage to ensure the monthly allowance is not exceeded. Either way, NGOs can now have complete predictability and control of their communications budget.

Commenting on the rationale behind the initiatives, Ronald Spithout, President of the Enterprise business unit at Inmarsat, said, “As a leading global mobile satellite service provider to the Humanitarian Aid sector, we are continually looking for ways to further improve the services we provide to NGOs. We have listened carefully to NGOs who have been telling us that affordability and predictability of pricing, alongside our unrivalled Quality of Service, is extremely important to them; we have responded with these new, predictably-priced packages.

“Our IsatPhone Pro and BGAN Link packages for the Aid sector help NGOs to better control their satellite communication costs because they know exactly what they are spending every month. This will allow them to benefit from Inmarsat’s services every day, over an extended time period, not just in times of emergency or crisis.”

IsatPhone Pro is popular with humanitarian workers providing aid during rescue operations because it is a robust, easy to use handheld satellite phone that delivers reliable global coverage, clear voice quality and unrivalled battery life. Inmarsat recently announced that it had secured its 100,000th IsatPhone Pro order, a

remarkable milestone achieved in the short time since the phone was introduced in June 2010.

BGAN Link’s plug and play broadband is easy to set up, with no technical expertise needed. The service has low power requirements, low installation service and support costs and will remain connected in extreme weather conditions.

Both IsatPhone Pro and BGAN Link operate over Inmarsat’s I-4 network, offering around 99.9% satellite and ground network availability, giving assurance for voice and data connectivity wherever a NGO’s operation is located.

These services are available now through Inmarsat’s global partner network.

www.inmarsat.com

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

6625-Co

S02 CAF 6 2012 Agenda 01_Layout 1 30/10/2012 10:42 Page 9

High Performance.

Open Architecture.

When you have it all, that’s

At Intelsat we’re used to big things – like supporting more African wireless operators than any other satellite provider.

We already own and operate the biggest satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure network in the world. But we’ve got even bigger plans: Intelsat EpicNG – our Next Generation high-performance satellite platform with an innovative combination of C-, Ku- and Ka-bands, wide beams, spot beams, and frequency re-use.

• High Performance: high throughput, efficiency and reliability • Open Architecture: scalable, forward and backwards compatibility with your existing hardware, extending the hardware lifecycle • Greater Control: you define network topology and service elements • Optimal Coverage: all-continent coverage and a complementary overlay with Intelsat’s unmatched global fleet For you, this means lower cost of ownership and increased opportunity to extend your service area.

More control. More choices. That’s Epic.

Meet with Intelsat during AfricaCom 2012 at Stand E08.

Contact us at sales.africa@intelsat.com for details.

Epic NG www.intelsatepic.com

6625-Communications-Africa-update.indd 1

10/17/2012 4:46:56 PM

S02 CAF 6 2012 Agenda 01_Layout 1 30/10/2012 10:42 Page 10

AGENDA

Alcatel-Lucent extends Ghana’s e-government services to rural regions ALCATEL-LUCENT IS WORKING with NITA - the information and communications technology (ICT) policy arm of Ghana’s Ministry of Communications - to support ‘e-Ghana’, a national initiative to develop local IT services and improve the transparency and efficiency of government functions, by expanding communication links between the nation’s central and regional administration offices.

Alcatel-Lucent is implementing a 600km fibre-optic ‘backbone’ network that will provide high-speed data links between central government functions and remote and rural locations. In addition, Alcatel-Lucent will provide a national data center facility to support the network, through close collaboration with HP, a global alliance partner for the delivery of converged ICT solutions.

Under the agreement with NITA (National Information Technology Agency), Alcatel-Lucent will also manage network operations of Ghana’s entire ‘e-government’ program for three years commencing November 2012.

Financing for the program is being facilitated by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), an office of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs tasked with combating poverty through the promotion of human rights and

economic growth. The new network, which will link Ghana’s north and south as well as international submarine gateways via its eastern corridor, will use Alcatel-Lucent’s 100 gigabit per second (100G)-capable optical coherent technology. This advanced fibre-optic technology will enhance business efficiencies between central and regional government offices and maintain quality and reliability across a telephone service, email and other Internetbased e-services.

The network will easily be able to expand to support anticipated increases in future demand: the government intends to extend use of e-services to the health, education, justice, immigration, parliament and other sectors over the next few years.

William Tevie, Director General of NITA said, “By delivering a new network and data center, Alcatel-Lucent will enable us to streamline government processes between central and rural divisions and provide a consistent external view. This is an important step toward realizing the vision of giving our people access to a range of critical services how and when they need them.”

The Danish Minister for Development, Mr Christian Friis Bach said, “Information and

SatADSL markets SES Broadband in Southern Africa AN AGREEMENT SIGNED recently between SES Broadband Services and SatADSL enables the distribution of satellite broadband services in sub-Saharan Africa via the Astra 4A satellite, which is located at the orbital position of 5 degrees East.

SatADSL started marketing SES Broadband in mid-September 2012, in order to provide Internet access to businesses, banks, non-governmental organisations and governmental institutions in remote areas throughout sub-Saharan Africa for critical applications such as financial transactions or reliable data transfers.

The broadband Internet package includes Voice over IP (VoIP) and offers download speeds of up to 4Mbit/s. SatADSL’s service offering also enables its customers to manage their service via a Virtual Network Operator (VNO).

“More and more African countries see broadband access as a key for economic success,” said Patrick Biewer, Managing Director of SES Broadband Services. "While there are plans to increase fibre connectivity across the African continent, 300mn people find themselves over 50km from a fibre or cable broadband connection. An additional 400mn people on the continent have no Internet access at all. Through the use of satellite technology, we are able to connect the unconnected and close the digital divide.”

“We are delighted about the agreement with SES Broadband Services to pioneer attractive, high-end satellite broadband services in Africa and are proud to offer specialised services and VNO capabilities at highly competitive prices,” said Thierry Eltges, CEO of SatADSL. “We are happy to facilitate the establishment of African companies outside of the densely populated areas and to create new business activities in rural areas.”

“More and more African countries see broadband access as a key for economic success” - Patrick Biewer, Managing Director of SES Broadband Services

10 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

communication technology (ICT) is an important platform for sustainable growth and development. It can provide access to information on basic health, education and relevant business data. ICT can also strengthen democracy and increase transparency, accountability and empowerment. I am very pleased that Denmark and Danish technical solutions in this way can contribute to Ghana's further economic development.”

Daniel Jaeger, Vice-President of AlcatelLucent in Africa said, “Alcatel-Lucent has a long history of providing communications solutions to meet customers’ e-business needs across the globe. Combined with our managed services expertise we are able to implement the best organization and processes to help continuously improve the services available to Ghana’s citizens.”

Hakan Yuce, Worldwide VP of Global Strategic Alliances at Alcatel-Lucent added, “The NITA project demonstrates the clear value to our customers of a seamless solution for converged IT and telecommunications networking needs. Through our global alliance, Alcatel-Lucent and HP are able to deliver to our customers the broadest ICT portfolio available.”

Liquid Telecom fibre network improves broadband capacity in Southern Africa LIQUID TELECOM'S NEW fibre link in the north of South Africa, stretching from Johannesburg to Zimbabwe, covering 521km, is designed to connect to Liquid’s existing fibre network and carry capacity from the submarine cables inland. The largest fibre network in Southern Africa, it offers provision of backhaul between most urban areas and last mile connectivity in the main cities of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa. It is, also, the first to cross country borders - and covers some of the most challenging parts of the world, where no fixed network has existed before.

Liquid has moved the Southern African market away from a reliance on expensive satellite services with limited capacity. It operates as a wholesale carrier in all five countries as well as an operator in Zambia and Zimbabwe. It provides virtually unlimited broadband capacity to operators, ISPs, banks, mining companies and other corporations, operators and ISPs including Econet Wireless, Mascom and Telecom Lesotho.

Nic Rudnick, CEO of Liquid Telecom, said, “There are two other fibre networks above Johannesburg which we were using but service levels were disappointing. By building and owning our own infrastructure we can guarantee quality, reliability and availability. Our fibre network is the most extensive in Southern Africa. It is increasing the prosperity of ordinary Africans and the businesses which serve and employ them. We are an ambitious well-funded company committed to investing our profits into expanding our fibre network still further.”

Liquid Telecom will invest heavily in expanding into new countries over the next three years to ensure that for the first time all countries and operators in Central and Southern Africa are directly connected. Its fibre network is supplemented by satellite networks that provide connectivity to 18 countries in Africa using both large and small capacity terminals for residential and commercial customers.

S03 CAF 6 2012 Agenda 02_Layout 1 30/10/2012 10:46 Page 11

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S03 CAF 6 2012 Agenda 02_Layout 1 30/10/2012 10:46 Page 12

AGENDA

Innovating Wi-Fi connectivity RUCKUS WIRELESS OFFERS connectivity technology based on a framework of features and specifications defined within the Wi-Fi Alliance. Says Michael Fletcher, Sales Director for Ruckus Wireless SubSaharan Africa, “Historically, to connect to a hotspot, users have had to perform the arduous task of manually selecting from a number of Wi-Fi networks that may or may not be able to provide them service and perform the tedious process of logging in with their user credentials. Using Passpoint-certified devices, this process will be completely automated.

Passpoint-certified mobile devices automatically select a Wi-Fi hotspot based on information advertised

by Passpoint-certified Wi-Fi access points.”

One of the first to integrate 802.11u within its Smart Wi-Fi access points, Ruckus has successfully completed interoperability testing with several operators and handset manufacturers around the world. Support for 802.11u and the technology tested by the Wi-Fi Alliance’s Passpoint certification programme will be available as a no-cost software upgrade on Ruckus ZoneFlex access points by the end of 2012.

Many mobile device manufacturers and infrastructure suppliers, including Ruckus Wireless, are implementing these new Wi-Fi capabilities within their equipment and have participated in trials under the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s Next Generation Hotpots (NGH) initiative. The Wi-Fi Alliance Hotspot

According to Informa Telecoms and Media, the number of hotspots worldwide is expected to more than double from 2.1mn in 2012 to over 5.8mn by 2015 2.0 Specification that underlies the first phase of the Passpoint programme includes the automation of three typically manual processes: • Discovering and selecting a Wi-Fi network.

• Authenticating the user and device using the internal SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card found in many mobile devices (as well as support for non-SIM devices).

• Securing the connection of each device using WPA2 Enterprise encryption and authentication.

Operators around the world are embracing Wi-Fi as means to inject much needed capacity into their mobile networks caused by the flood of data from new smart mobile devices.

The use of Wi-Fi-certified Passpoint equipment will benefit service providers in a number of ways such as accelerating the offload of data from cellular networks to Wi-Fi and reducing operational costs by providing a single Wi-Fi network that can advertise support for multiple operators.

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12 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

Could you profitably provide a gigabyte a day?

NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS has introduced an innovative approach to offering profitable mobile broadband while enriching user experience. NSN’s Liquid Net and customer experience management portfolios and updates enable operators to deliver mobile broadband in a new way - with the prospect of provision by 2020 of a gigabyte of personalised data per day, profitably, for every user.

“We are focused on helping operators deliver mobile broadband profitably in the face of this challenge. In October, we will share with operators how they can meet this demand, delight their users, and still make money,” said Marc Rouanne, head of mobile broadband at Nokia Siemens Networks.

Spacecom invests US200mn in AMOS-6 satellite AMOS SATELLITE FLEET operator Spacecom has entered into an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to manufacture the AMOS-6 satellite, which is scheduled for launch in 2015. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd will be the contractor for the Ku and multibeam Ka pay-loads.

Under terms of the US$200mn agreement, IAI will construct the satellite, prepare it operationally for launch, place it into its 4°W orbital position, and provide ground control operations over the The AMOS-2 satellite (shown here satellite's life, planned to be at least under test conditions) operates at 16 years. The 4°W 'hot spot' is home the 4°W 'hot spot', where AMOS-6 is headed in 2015 to Spacecom’s AMOS-2 and AMOS3 constellation, which provides satellite services to Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the US East Coast.

"We are proud to select Israel Aerospace Industries to be our partner in the AMOS-6 project. They have been our partners in manufacturing the majority of our earlier satellites, and we have an excellent working relationship with all aspects of their organisation," commented David Pollack, president and CEO of Spacecom. "AMOS-6 will expand our reach to include Western Europe, add new Ka-band spot beams and eventually replace the AMOS-2 satellite when it ends commercial service in 2016.

We are excited to start moving forward with this project which will enhance our reputation as a multi-regional satellite operator."

To fund the AMOS-6 project, Spacecom is planning to raise funds from a consortium of investors, including IAI and foreign lenders that support exporters of systems to be included in the satellite.

S03 CAF 6 2012 Agenda 02_Layout 1 30/10/2012 10:46 Page 13

AGENDA

Measuring the development of technology deployments INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU) research indicates that information and communication technology (ICT) uptake continues to grow worldwide, spurred by a steady fall in the price of telephone and broadband Internet services.

ITU data, released in the annual report, ‘Measuring the Information Society 2012’, rank the Republic of Korea as the world’s most advanced ICT economy, followed

by Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland. Of the ten top-ranked countries, eight are from Europe. The two remaining countries both come from the Asia-Pacific region, with the Republic of Korea in first place, and Japan ranked 8th. The top five countries have not changed their rank between 2010 and 2011. The only new entrant in the top ten is the UK, which moved up from 14th place last year to 9th place in 2012.

ITU’s ICT Development Index (IDI)* ranks 155 countries according to their level of ICT access, use and skills, and compares 2010 and 2011 scores. All countries in the IDI top 30 are high-income countries, underlining the strong link between income and ICT progress.

There are large differences between developed and developing countries, with IDI values on average twice as high in the developed world compared with developing countries. The report identifies the group of countries with the lowest IDI levels – so-called ‘Least Connected Countries’ – and highlights the need for policy makers to pay keen attention to this group.

“ITU’s Measuring the Information Society report is the

most comprehensive statistical and analytical report on the shape of ICT markets worldwide. Our reputation as a wholly impartial and reliable source of ICT market statistics makes this report the annual industry benchmark for technology development,” said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun I Touré.

However, developing countries now account for most mobile growth.

The ‘Measuring the Information Society 2012’ report also identifies countries which have made the most progress when it comes to ICT development. These dynamic ICT markets are mostly located in the developing world – evidence that many developing countries are catching up quickly in efforts to bridge the so-called ‘digital divide’. Strong performers include Bahrain, Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia.

Mobile-cellular subscriptions registered continuous double-digit growth in developing country markets, for a global total of six billion mobile subscriptions by end 2011. Both China and India each account for around one billion subscriptions.

Mobile broadband continues to be the ICT service displaying the sharpest growth rates. Over the past year, growth in mobile-broadband services continued at 40 per cent globally and 78 per cent in developing countries. There are now twice as many mobilebroadband subscriptions as fixed-broadband subscriptions worldwide.

Time to rethink performance monitoring ACCORDING TO NAPATECH, vendor of intelligent adapters for network monitoring and analysis, the increasing use of Internetbased services accessed via a multitude of devices will require OEM vendors of performance monitoring appliances to rethink their system design.

"We have seen a transition from network performance monitoring to application performance monitoring requiring appliances to become more application aware. In particular, more Internet application aware, as there are a multitude of critical services now being transported over HTTP. This is not just social media, but includes demanding services," stated Henrik Brill Jensen, CEO, Napatech.

Visafone and RIM launch BlackBerry smartphones and services in Nigeria NIGERIAN MOBILE OPERATOR Visafone and Research In Motion (RIM) have partnered to launch BlackBerry services on Visafone’s CDMA mobile network in Nigeria. Visafone has launched, also, three BlackBerry smartphones - becoming the first carrier to introduce CDMA-enabled BlackBerry smartphones in Africa.

All Visafone shops in Nigeria can take pre-bookings from customers for the BlackBerry Curve 9310, BlackBerry Curve 9370 and BlackBerry Bold 9930 smartphones. The combination of the BlackBerry smartphones with BlackBerry services will give Visafone customers access to email, Internet and social

networking apps, including BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Facebook and Twitter.

Waldi Wepener, Regional Director for RIM in East, Central and West Africa, said, “We are proud to support Visafone with the launch of the BlackBerry solution to their customers in Nigeria, and to bring CDMA-enabled BlackBerry smartphones to the region with Visafone for the first time.”

The BlackBerry Curve 9370

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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AGENDA

A new way to track and forecast INFORMA TELECOMS & Media, the industry’s leading provider of insight and global data, has launched World TV Information Service (WTVIS), a multiscreen tracking and forecasting tool. WTVIS includes a set of regularly updated interactive tools that have been designed to make it easy to identify market opportunities from Informa’s market-leading TV, device, content and broadband data and forecasts for up to 148 countries and 676 service providers.

Extensive services for research “The rapidly growing demands of consumers for TV and video in a rapidly expanding world of networks and devices presents huge challenges to companies from across the telecoms, media and consumer electronics industries,” said Rob Gallagher, Head of Broadband & TV Research for Informa Telecoms & Media.

“The complexity of identifying the real opportunities across these once disparate categories is compounded by the fact that market dynamics vary greatly by country, despite the on-going erosion of national boundaries by US-based Internet and consumer electronics giants, such as Netflix and Apple.”

Clients get direct access to the global network of Informa thoughtleaders to explore the findings in WTVIS, understand the trends behind the data or further learn about the research house’s methodologies.

“Our emphasis on primary research means that if our analysts don’t know the answers to your questions already, they can quickly find them out from their networks of industry contacts,” said Gallagher.

“We’re confident that service providers, vendors, financial institutions and other TV and video ecosystem players will find a no more extensive or useful service for identifying and seizing multiscreen opportunities worldwide than Informa Telecoms & Media’s WTVIS.”

Policy makers urge more sharing and innovation INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES AT ITU’s 12th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-12, held in October 2012) recognised the enormous potential of cloud computing for promoting wider, lower-cost access to information and communication technology (ICT), while stressing the importance of close collaboration between governments, industry and consumer groups in promoting data security and privacy and greater confidence in cloud services.

The annual regulatory meeting, which welcomed a total of 446 participants from almost 100 countries, sought to forge a common vision around strategies to promote digital opportunities through new broadband-based platforms, while getting to grips with the often complex regulatory implications of cloud-based service provision.

Delegates endorsed a set of regulatory Best Practice Guidelines designed to provide a framework for innovation, investment and competition in cloud infrastructure and services while at the same time ensuring protection of consumer interests. They also emphasised the benefits of innovative infrastructure sharing models based on publicprivate partnership in driving broadband roll-out in emerging markets and developing countries. Ubiquitous broadband was recognized as the essential platform for the growth of cloud services which, by combining low costs and global scalability, can generate substantial economic returns and improved efficiency for government, businesses and individuals.

Successful innovations at the symposium included a two-day Global Regulators-Industry Dialogue (GRID) and a pre-event day featuring specialized side meetings, including sessions organized by the International Telecommunication Satellite Organization (ITSO) and by the GSMA, as well as an exclusive meeting of Chief Regulatory Officers (CROs) from the private sector.

Intersec’s location based services help operators generate new revenue streams A VALUE ADDED software provider for mobile and integrated operators, Intersec offers a new version of its location based services (LBS) solution, the IGLOO Geolocator, to help operators monetise network assets and generate new revenue streams from mobile advertising, mobile marketing and other location-based services. The market for locationbased services, according to industry analysts at

14 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

Pyramid Research, will reach US$10.3bn globally by 2015. IGLOO software resides in the operator network and collects metadata emerging from the network in real-time. Operators or third parties can then use these exclusive anonymously aggregated insights for purposes such as geomarketing, urban planning and density maps. Alternatively, subscribers can benefit from exclusive services such as targeted and

contextualised location based advertising and marketing offers.

The location-based data collected can be used for the purpose of geomarketing such as determining the best location for a new mobile phone retail outlet, or to generate new revenue streams from brand owners or advertisers with geolocated mobile advertising or marketing services.

S04 CAF 6 2012 Agenda FR_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:17 Page 15

AMOS-5 WAS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED

AfricaCom 2012 The AMOS-5 satellite, successfully launched to the 17°E orbital location, provides a full range of satcom services with high-power Pan-African C-band and Ku-band beams.

With AMOS-2 and AMOS-3 serving Europe and the Middle East, AMOS-4 scheduled to commence operations in 2013 and AMOS-6 in 2014, Spacecom offers its vast experience to DTH operators, TV broadcasters, ISPs, VSAT broadband providers and telcos throughout Africa.

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S04 CAF 6 2012 Agenda FR_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:17 Page 16

AGENDA

Helping organisations deliver content to the network edge INMARSAT, PROVIDER OF global mobile satellite communications services, and iOra Ltd, provider of data replication solutions, have joined forces to offer Inmarsat distribution partners and customers a new and better way of delivering content to the network edge. Tailored to meet the needs of customers operating in remote locations such as Africa, the combined Inmarsat and iOra BGAN Geo-Replicator offering enables organisations to more efficiently deliver content – whether it be email or bandwidth-hungry files transferred using SharePoint, or other applications – to branch offices, project sites and other remote users. With the BGAN Geo-Replicator, remote users benefit by having access to new applications and web portals that would otherwise only be available at the central or hub office. BGAN Geo-Replicator is targeted at organisations operating in the construction, oil, gas, offshore, mining, NGO, maritime and defence sectors that require resilient, reliable real-time broadband connectivity allied to a cost effective means to deliver content across online platforms and web portals.

"Our clients can now further benefit from Inmarsat's market-leading BGAN platform by combining it with the capabilities of iOra’s Geo-Replicator,” said Alastair Bovim, Managing Director, Inmarsat Africa, “Its patented replication and compression technology greatly reduces the volume of content organisations have to send over a given connection and with its unique virtualisation technology, organisations can replicate websites, portals and SharePoint to users in places where communications are disconnected, unreliable and slow. For example, for military customers, enabling teams in the field to have access to information is vital. With Geo-Replicator mission-critical information can be easily delivered from HQ to operational and mobile command teams in the field.”

Nick Bradshaw, Director at Complexus, iOra’s reseller in Africa, said: “iOra Geo-Replicator complements Inmarsat’s BGAN platform perfectly. The combined solution is ideal for existing or new BGAN clients who have been grappling with the complexity of delivering content from HQ to their remote branch and project offices. The return on investment of this combined solution is compelling, and with the ease of use of both technologies, companies can quickly deploy it with minimal training and set-up overhead.”

“Our clients can now further benefit from Inmarsat's marketleading BGAN platform by combining it with the capabilities of iOra’s Geo-Replicator” - Alastair Bovim, Managing Director, Inmarsat Africa

Neonode’s multi touch solution NEONODE INC, AN optical touch technology company, has introduced Neonode Smartphone I – an all-in-one touch solution for next generation smart- and feature phones - a touch sensing solution enabling a total unit cost as low as US$2 in high volume production.

The Smartphone I uses Neonode’s single chip touch frontend IC, the NN1001, developed with Texas Instruments. The NN1001 connects directly with a high speed 1.8/3.3V SPI interface to virtually any microcontroller or application/baseband processor. The touch software can run directly on the application processor, sharing its memory and processing power, thereby reducing cost and increasing performance.

Altobridge and K-NET creates connectivity for rural communities in Ghana ALTOBRIDGE LIMITED, WHICH develops in technology that cuts the cost of delivering mobile connectivity, has partnered with one of Ghana’s leading network solutions providers to bring first-time mobile voice and mobile broadband connectivity to rural communities in Ghana.

The initial rollout phase of the satellite-backhauled, solar powered solution, on the Tigo Ghana mobile network, has now been completed. Subscriber uptake and usage levels in these hitherto unconnected, rural village communities, have surpassed all parties’ expectations.

The project has been funded by the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), an implementing agency of the Ministry of Communications set up by the Government of Ghana to facilitate the provision of access to ICT, Internet

“To make this business model work, K-NET needed an ultra-low operating cost, reliable solution that can be rapidly deployed and which is easy to install, maintain and operate” Richard Hlomador, Founder & CEO, K-NET 16 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

A previously unconnected, village community in rural Ghana where Altobridge, K-NET and Tigo have delivered first-time mobile connectivity

connectivity and communications infrastructure to under-served and un-served areas of Ghana.

“In a short space of time, we have demonstrated that a local entrepreneurial entity, with strong support from Government, can focus on and profitably deliver communications to remote communities and enterprises. This approach not only accelerates mobile voice and mobile broadband penetration, but also offers incremental revenue to the mobile

network providers,” said Mike Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Altobridge.

Commenting on the partnership, Richard Hlomador, Founder & CEO, K-NET said, “To make this business model work, K-NET needed an ultra-low operating cost, reliable solution that can be rapidly deployed and which is easy to install, maintain and operate.

This solution from K-NET and Altobridge provided precisely that.”

S04 CAF 6 2012 Agenda FR_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:17 Page 17

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AGENDA

Dimitra community listeners’ clubs tune in with Freeplay radios SET UP BY the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Dimitra project (FAO-Dimitra) in partnership with nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), Dimitra Community Listeners’ Clubs facilitate dialogue for individuals and groups and have proved to be an efficient way

for isolated rural communities to access information and engage in participatory communication which leads to action. The use of Freeplay’s solar and wind-up radios by the Community Listeners’ Clubs, has enabled villagers to share their concerns, priorities and needs, obtain

“In a village, not everyone can gather around a single radio set because the homes are scattered. So groups are made up according to distance. And the women get together to listen in a pre-arranged place.” Ali Abdoulaye, coordinator, VIE Kande Ni Bayra relevant information that would otherwise be beyond their reach and take constructive action together. The clubs are seen as a tool for empowering people, particularly women, and for giving them a voice and a role in their own development Freeplay radios are used by these clubs to listen to broadcasts and take part in debates about agriculture, food security and rural development, including health, education, and social issues. This is a great means of enabling communication within and between communities that share similar experiences, concerns

and opportunities.

Each Community Listeners’ Club – and there are now more than 700 of them in both Niger and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – is established following a process of consultation and training of women and men chosen by their own communities to guide the process. The clubs are then provided with Freeplay’s robust and reliable wind-up and solar-powered radios and strong relationships are built by the clubs with local radio stations, which broadcast programmes relevant to, and with input from, the clubs and their members.

Mitsumi IT Distribution particpates in GITEX MITSUMI IT DISTRIBUTION, one of Africa’s largest IT distributors, participated for the first time ever in GITEX Technology Week 2012 - a premier information and communications technology (ICT) event for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) held in mid-October at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Mitsumi IT Distribution participated in GITEX Technology Week 2012

18 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

Mitsumi exhibited its product portfolio from renowned global vendor partners - including HP, Dell, Acer, Toshiba, Lenovo, Samsung, Microsoft, BenQ and Tripplite. With GITEX having an ‘Africa in Focus’ theme this year, Mitsumi benefitted from an increase in the number of delegations from countries expressing interest - including Algeria, Kenya, Libya, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tunisia. Mitsumi's participation at GITEX 2012 was designed to ensure the company's commitment to showcasing the rich opportunities available in Africa and to cement and further grow its reseller and vendor partner base.

Jagat Shah, Chairman & CEO at Mitsumi IT Distribution, has spoken of GITEX Technology Week as “an excellent platform to showcase Mitsumi’s Africa operations and consolidate partnerships”. As part of GITEX’s ‘Africa in Focus’ campaign, the GITEX team met representatives from Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. While in Nairobi, the team met officials from Kenya’s ICT Board, who are committed to the goal of being among the top 10 ICT hubs in the world. Kenya’s national ICT Master Plan, an initiative by the Ministry of Information and Communication, aims to drive aggressive growth in the ICT sector by 2017, contributing 25 per cent to the country’s GDP. Mitsumi IT Distribution has an early-mover advantage in Africa since the company was the first to establish a chain of in-country presence in these markets ranging from facilities like warehousing, stocking points and support service centres in 1996.

Mr Jagat Shah, Chairman & CEO at Mitsumi IT Distribution Africa

Mitsumi has Sales offices in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, South Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Mauritius and Madagascar which adds up to 15 Warehouses and 8 Service Centres, thereby, making it the only truly ‘Africa Centric IT Distributor’ guaranteeing maximum reach to all global IT vendors.

http://mitsumidistribution.com

S04 CAF 6 2012 Agenda FR_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:17 Page 19

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AGENDA

Sicap et Tunisie Telecom optimisent les services par messages SICAP, FOURNISSEUR DE solutions technologiques de longue date pour Tunisie Telecom, vient d’annoncer la mise en place d’une version plus performante de leur plateforme de messagerie, pour la gestion améliorée du trafic SMS et MMS. La nouvelle fonctionnalité de facturation de la plateforme sicap permettra à Tunisie Telecom d’y basculer leur système de facturation des messages. Le cœur de réseau sera ainsi libéré de cette charge, ce qui engendra un impact positif sur les coûts d’exploitation. En effet, l’opérateur aura un retour sur investissement rapide grâce à une facturation centralisée et plus efficace. En parallèle, la possibilité d’intégrer des scénarios de facturation plus sophistiqués permettra une gestion optimisée des fournisseurs de services à valeur ajoutée.

Tunisie Telecom utilisera la plateforme notamment pour gérer des pics de trafic SMS générés par des émissions de télévision qui proposent des votes par SMS, des quizz ou des jeux. Dorénavant, ce trafic sera routé, trié et facturé au sein de la plateforme sicap. Les sociétés exploitantes de ces services seront connectées en quelques minutes au système par des techniciens de Tunisie Telecom et bénéficieront d’un environnement de partage de revenus efficace dans un contexte d’évolution Telco 2.0.

Un service de vote par SMS pour une émission TV génère un pic de trafic important mais de courte durée comparé aux besoins linéaires d’un service tel que des notifications journalières de solde de compte bancaire par exemple. La plateforme sicap gère efficacement chaque type de service.

Les solutions logicielles de sicap permettent aux opérateurs de téléphonie mobile d'offrir à leurs abonnés une expérience de qualité supérieure M. Nizar Bougila, Directeur Central Technique de Tunisie Telecom constate que « Désormais, il est très facile de connecter de nouveaux fournisseurs de services et de lancer ces derniers sur le marché avec une facturation efficace. Ce dernier point constitue un avantage considérable pour gagner et maintenir la confiance des abonnés et une excellente image de marque. Les abonnés de Tunisie Telecom, au cœur de nos préoccupations, disposeront ainsi d’un plus grand choix et d’un meilleur rapport qualité-prix pour leur services d’information et de divertissement. » M. Armin L. Rau, Directeur Général EMENA de sicap ajoute que: « Sept ans après l’introduction de la première plateforme sicap dans le réseau de Tunisie Telecom, notre partenariat se renforce afin d’assurer que Tunisie Telecom soit en mesure de tirer profit de toutes les nouvelles opportunités commerciales. Nous sommes fiers de compter Tunisie Telecom parmi nos clients à long terme. »

Des stratégies à réduire les émissions de carbone DANS UNE DÉCLARATION formulée au terme de la Semaine "Normes vertes" de l'UIT, organisée conjointement avec TechAmerica Europe et accueillie à Paris par Microsoft, les principaux acteurs du secteur des TIC ont présenté les grandes lignes du programme vert qu'ils se sont engagés à suivre. Approuvée par plus de 150 participants issus des secteurs public et privé, ce document expose les engagements en matière de réduction des émissions carbone d'entreprises phares du secteur des TIC, telles que: Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Cisco, Dell, Fujitsu, Hewlett Packard, Huawei, Infosys, Intel, KPN, Microsoft, Nokia Siemens Networks, Orange, Telecom Italia et Telefónica.

Des engagements en faveur de l’égalité professionnelle

Un registre biométrique sûr et fiable au Gabon

EN OCTOBRE 2012, Orange a été partenaire du Women’s Forum. Le Women’s Forum est l’occasion de rappeler que l’égalité professionnelle est au cœur des priorités d’Orange : cette année, Stéphane Richard, Président Directeur Général de France Télécom-Orange, a participé pour la première fois à l’initiative des « CEO Champions ».

Lancé en 2010 par le Women’s Forum et Ernst & Young, ce projet regroupe des dirigeants d’entreprises qui s'engagent à agir concrètement pour faire avancer la situation des femmes dans les entreprises du secteur privé.

Au cœur du Women’s Forum, Orange a initié la réflexion et participe aux débats sur l’impact sociétal des nouvelles technologies.

GEMALTO, ENTREPRISE DE la sécurité numérique, a été sélectionné après appel d’offre international par l’Etat Gabonais dans le cadre du projet d’identification biométrique nationale. Cette initiative a pour but de mettre en place un registre d’état civil biométrique fiable afin de remplacer les documents d’identification papier par des documents électroniques et d’établir un registre électoral sécurisé avant les élections locales de 2013. Ce contrat s’intègre au Le fichier électoral biométrique au Gabon plan stratégique Gabon numérique dont l’objectif est de moderniser et sécuriser l’infrastructure du pays tout en protégeant l’identité de ses citoyens.

La solution clés en main proposée par Gemalto comprend son système d’enregistrement biométrique Coesys, qui inclut des stations fixes et mobiles équipées d’un logiciel de capture des données démographiques, empreintes digitales et photos des citoyens. La solution intègre un système de comparaison d’empreintes digitales associé au portrait afin de garantir l’unicité de chaque saisie. Gemalto fournit également sa solution Coesys d’émission de documents sécurisés pour permettre au gouvernement gabonais de personnaliser les futurs documents officiels. Le contrat couvre aussi la mise en place d’une infrastructure PKI pour bâtir l’architecture sécurisée nécessaire à l’intégration future de services gouvernementaux électroniques. Gemalto assure les services de formation, l’assistance technique et la maintenance.

De numérique social Ainsi, la Fondation Orange, qui œuvre pour que le numérique soit facteur de lien social et de solidarité, s’est associée dans le cadre du Women’s Forum aux fondations Elle et Sanofi Espoir pour soutenir le prix Women for Education. Cet appel à projets sur le thème « Comment les nouvelles technologies contribuent à l’éducation des femmes et à l’amélioration de l’accès aux soins en Afrique ? » permet d’identifier une action remarquable autour du numérique au service du développement.

Un soutien financier Le projet lauréat, qui a dévoilé lors du Women’s Forum, a recu un soutien financier et pourra faire appel à un mécénat/bénévolat de compétences auprès des collaborateurs des trois entreprises partenaires.

Orange a lancé en septembre 2011, dans le cadre du Women's Forum, une réflexion collaborative sur les transformations de la société par le numérique.

Parmi les grands axes qui avaient émergé des rencontres organisées : le thème du temps et de sa perception intimement liée à notre usage des nouvelles technologies. Orange a décidé de faire de cette réflexion une priorité en créant le Collectif du Temps. Initié par Delphine Ernotte Cunci, Directrice Exécutive d’Orange France, il a pour but d’analyser la notion de maîtrise du temps dans nos sociétés.

20 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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AGENDA

Le géo-réplicateur BGAN en Afrique INMARSAT, FOURNISSEUR DE services de communication mobile par satellite et iOra Ltd, fournisseur des solutions de reproduction de données, ont collaboré ensemble afin d’offrir aux partenaires de distribution et aux clients d’Inmarsat, un nouveau et meilleur moyen pour fournir du contenu en dehors du réseau. Conçue pour répondre aux besoins des clients travaillant dans des zones reculées comme l’Afrique, l’offre jointe géo-réplicateur BGAN d’Inmarsat et iOra permet aux organisations de fournir un contenu d’une manière plus efficiente que ce soit par courriel ou par des fichiers qui exigent une largeur de bande toujours plus grande et qui sont transférés en utilisant Sharepoint ou d’autres applications, aux bureaux, sites des projets et autres utilisateurs éloignés. Avec le géoréplicateur, les utilisateurs éloignés bénéficient de l’accès à de nouvelles applications et portails web qui n’auraient pas pu être disponibles autrement qu’au bureau central ou bureaux de liaisons.

La technologie du géo-réplicateur BGAN a pour cible les organisations du monde entier qui travaillent dans les secteurs de la construction, du pétrole, du gaz, de

« Nos clients peuvent bénéficier davantage maintenant de la plateforme BGAN leader de son marché, en la combinant avec les capacités du géoréplicateur d’iOra » l’offshore, de l’exploitation minière, des ONG, de la marine et de la défense qui demandent une connectivité à bande large résistante, fiable en temps réel associée à des moyens ayant un bon rapport coût\ efficacité pour livrer du contenu sur toutes les plateformes en ligne et les portails web.

Alastair Bovim, directeur général d’Inmarsat en Afrique a déclaré, « nos clients peuvent bénéficier davantage maintenant de la plateforme BGAN leader de son marché, en la combinant avec les capacités du géoréplicateur d’iOra ». Il a ajouté, « sa technologie brevetée de réplication et de compression, réduit considérablement le volume du contenu que les organisations

doivent envoyer sur une connexion donnée et avec sa technologie unique de virtualisation, les organisations peuvent reproduire les sites web, les portails et les points d’action aux utilisateurs qui se trouvent dans des endroits où les communications sont déconnectées, peu fiables et lentes. Par exemple, pour les clients militaires, il est fondamental de permettre aux équipes sur le terrain d’avoir accès à l’information. Avec le géo-réplicateur, les informations importantes peuvent être livrées facilement du quartier général aux équipes opérationnelles et de commandement mobile sur le terrain ».

Nick Bradshwa, directeur de Complexus, le fournisseur d’iOra en Afrique a déclaré, « le géoréplicateur d’iOra complète parfaitement la plateforme BGAN d’Inmarsat. La solution mixte est idéale pour les clients actuels ou aux nouveaux de BGAN qui ont été aux prises avec la complexité de fournir du contenu à partir du quartier général aux branches et aux projets éloignés. Le retour sur investissement de cette solution mixte est convaincant et les compagnies sont capables avec la facilité d’utilisation des deux technologies, de la mettre en œuvre rapidement avec le minimum de formation et de configuration en perspective ».

Autour de fonds sur des dispositifs mobiles MONEYGRAM, SOCIÉTÉ EN transfert de fonds mondiaux, et Gemalto, entreprise de la sécurité numérique, ont annoncé un accord mondial pour fournir les services MoneyGram à travers la solution LinqUs Mobile Money de Gemalto.

La plateforme de transfert de fonds de MoneyGram sera intégrée à la solution de plateforme de paiement mobile LinqUs de Gemalto, permettant aux clients d'envoyer des transferts internationaux depuis un téléphone mobile vers l'une des 284 000 agences de MoneyGram à travers le monde ou de recevoir des transferts directement sur leur portefeuille mobile.

Les clients de Gemalto Mobile Financial Services, notamment des banques et des entreprises de télécommunications mobiles, pourront se connecter directement au réseau mondial de MoneyGram et proposer des services mobiles d'envoi de fonds pratiques et sécurisés. « MoneyGram développe activement de nouveaux canaux mobiles et en ligne pour répondre à l'évolution des besoins de nos clients pour accéder rapidement et

22 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

« MoneyGram développe activement de nouveaux canaux mobiles et en ligne pour répondre à l'évolution des besoins de nos clients pour accéder rapidement et facilement à des espèces au niveau mondial » facilement à des espèces au niveau mondial », a affirmé Carl Scheible, vice-président directeur de MoneyGram Europe et Afrique. « Gemalto a des relations d'affaires avec plus de 450 entreprises de télécommunications mobiles et 3000 institutions financières à travers le monde. Leur vaste expérience avec les services financiers mobiles mondiaux offre un environnement sûr qui étend les services de transfert de fonds de MoneyGram aux consommateurs et leur offre davantage d'options ».

S05 CAF 6 2012 Report 01_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:27 Page 23

Connecting Africa to the World Revolutionising wholesale connectivity to the internet and global markets

With an international network reach that extends to 100 cities in 29 countries across Europe and more than 700 cities in 70 countries globally, WIOCC is the ideal partner for extending your network. Together with our investment in multiple submarine cable systems (including EASSy, EIG and WACS) and access to the largest terrestrial footprint in sub-Saharan Africa, this enables us to offer unique, flexible wholesale bandwidth packages combining reach, diversity and affordability.

Connecting to WIOCC delivers improved access to the global internet and better connectivity to international markets through a seamless service - managed end-to-end 24/7 by our Africa-based service desk - that simplifies the procurement of international connectivity.

To find out more about our high-quality, high-capacity international connectivity, visit

or contact us at info@wiocc.net

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Our world. Whole African coverage. Full spectrum of satellite services. Your world.

www.arabsat.com

S05 CAF 6 2012 Report 01_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:27 Page 25

With Arabsat's new generation of state-of-the-art satellites, your world is growing larger â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and closer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; than ever. With four orbital positions in the sky covering an ever-expanding footprint across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Europe, now you have unrivalled capacity to reach farther and connect in more ways than ever before. That means all the power to meet the growing and evolving needs of large telecom companies, government entities, the military sector and VSAT or IP networks. Connect more of your world, and join the Arabsat neighborhood today!

S05 CAF 6 2012 Report 01_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:27 Page 26

AFRICACOM

Programme

Working at the digital edge Firms new and old, enterprises large and small, come to AfricaCom this year to contribute to industry development of the continent’s digital ecosystem

P

REVIOUSLY TAKING PLACE over two days, the 2012 edition of AfricaCom, themed ‘Reaching the Next Frontier for Growth’, has been extended to three days. The digital ecosystem will take centre stage at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, 13–15 November 2012, where attendees can network with over seven thousand industry executives, embracing all aspects of the continent’s converging telecommunications, media and information technology sectors. AfricaCom incorporates 11 co-located events, all pertinent to futureproofing businesses in the digital era, including cloud computing, over the air (OTT) solutions, applications, broadband and multiplatform content. Those present can see and hear how Africa’s telecommunications market is moving forward through innovation and long-term prosperity.

The AfricaCom programme has been overhauled to reflect the continent’s dynamic markets.

This year’s conference offers opportunities for all stakeholders

AfricaCom is held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre

26 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

to debate changes in the digital ecosystem, to share visions, to build partnerships and to develop services to meet the requirements of customers in all territories.

With the extra day, the programme includes more relevance in terms of keynotes, focus sessions, co-located conferences, workshops, interactive panels and expertise from a much wider range of experts. At the event, too, there are a series of networking events.

The Entrepreneurs Incubator Hub is a platform for entrepreneurs, incubators and investors to promote innovation and business development. AfricApps helps to identify ways to develop, market and monetise successful apps.

The Mobile Money focus day highlights the hottest topics affecting the mobile ecosystem, the FTTH Council Africa Summit is a forum aligned to help seize opportunities in Africa’s fibre market, and the Africa Industry Outlook presents an outline of the continent’s ten key revenue opportunities, service providers and vendors.

New speakers, new presentations In total, AfricaCom has over 200 speakers drawn from the entire digital ecosystem this year, with over 25 presentations from new media disruptors and OTT challengers, and 15 hours of content from the innovative app developers and start-ups specialising in information and communication technologies (ICTs).

MTN increases its commitment to participation at AfricaCom 2012, with six speakers confirmed from across its enterprise, and a showcase of the revamped MTN Play portal.

This year’s conference marks, also, the sixth year of MTN’s sponsorship of this

telecoms gathering.

“Our increased role at AfricaCom is evidence of MTN’s commitment to leading key debates in the telecoms industry on the continent. Furthermore, being part of the event helps us to exchange ideas with like-minded leaders on the continent, and from around the world,” said Rich Mkhondo, Executive for Corporate Affairs, MTN Group.

Established firms exhibiting include Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, which specialises in s e m i c o n d u c t o r , telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies through nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile C o m m u n i c a t i o n s , Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LCD.

WORK creates waves Amongst enterprises exhibiting for the first time, WORK Microwave is presenting its portfolio, which includes the new DVB-S2 Modem SK-DV. The modem utilises DaVid technology and transports both data and live broadcast over a single satellite carrier, aggregating multiple MPEG transport streams and IP data into a unified DVB-S2 multistream.

A live demonstration of the DVB-S2 IP-Modem SK-IP will help attendees learn more about the 16-channel ACM functionality (OptiACM) of the IP-Modem, while the interactive test setup will demonstrate how the IPModem compensates for disturbances in the satellite link through real-time adaptation of transmission parameters according to link conditions. ✆

S05 CAF 6 2012 Report 01_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:27 Page 27

SkyVision. Your Link to Global Communications.

SkyVision is a leading global IP telecommunication service provider, offering solutions that combine satellite service platforms with KLJK FDSDFLW\ ðEUH RSWLF FRQQHFWLRQV

At SkyV SkyVision, n, we make it our busines business ss to make sur sure e your bu business usiness is linked secur securely elyy ision eliably at and rreliably a all times.

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internet connectivity, No matter what w you need, whether iit’s t’s inter net or VPN conn ectivity, network management manage ement and planning g or business continuity services, we have the so solution. olution.

Contact us at: BusinessSolutions@skyvision.net 8387 Tel e +44 20 8 387 1750 BusinessSolutions@sskyvision.net Tel www.skyvision.net www.skyvision.net

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AFRICACOM

AfricaCast

The digital transformation of the continent’s television

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AfricaCast is a twoday summit designed to bring decision makers from the entire broadcast value chain

28 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

ELD FROM 14-15 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the 2012 edition of AfricaCast offers a second year of premier networking and knowledgesharing for broadcasters with interests in sub-Saharan Africa.

This year, AfricaCast is supported

by SABC, ABN, Endemol and Viacom - with many other major broadcasters providing CXOlevel speakers to discuss the future opportunities for African broadcasters.

Sponsorship comes from Hutchinson Global Communications, Eutelsat, Dune HD, SES, and GlobeCast. Parks Associates is also a diamond media partner for AfricaCast, which provides a vital platform for all broadcast industry

BBC Africa Editor, Solomon Mugera

stakeholders to engage and debate how best to monetise the future of African broadcasting.

Challenges and opportunities in transmission and reception Described as “a must attend event for the entire industry” by Zimbabwe Online Director Geoff Goss, and as an “excellent

platform at which to meet and exchange views with senior industry personnel” by Mformation Technologies MEA Sales Director MEA David HarrisEvans, AfricaCast is organised jointly by Informa’s Com World Series and TV Connect Global Events, and returns on the back of inaugural success, with 228 high-level conference delegates attending last year to address the challenges and opportunities in the continent’s broadcasting market.

AfricaCast is a component of one of Africa’s largest community events - AfricaCom, which is expected to attract around seven thousand exhibition visitors this year. ✆

africacast-event.com

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AFRICACOM

Finance

Une solution logicielle de paiement mobile

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EMALTO, ENTREPRISE MONDIAL de la sécurité numérique, ont annoncé l’expansion de sa solution logicielle de paiement mobile qui comprendra désormais le service de transfert d’argent à l’international proposé par Western Union. La plateforme de paiement mobile LinqUs de Gemalto a été certifiée par le réseau de distributeurs Western Union.

Elle offrira aux utilisateurs finaux de nouvelles options de transfert et de réception d’argent à l’échelle internationale depuis leur téléphone mobile. Cette solution étendue est désormais disponible aux opérateurs et institutions financières du monde entier pour les aider à répondre à la demande croissante de services de transfert d’argent à l’international sur mobile.

transferts d’argent sur mobiles. « Les transferts d’argent à l’international sont essentiels au bien être des familles et communautés dans les pays en voie de développement ; et notre but est d’en faire bénéficier le plus grand nombre en rendant ces services accessibles sur téléphone mobile », déclare Jean-Claude Deturche, Vice-président de

la division Mobile Financial Services de Gemalto. « Notre partenariat avec Western Union permet à nos clients d’offrir des services de transferts d’argent sur mobile à la fois pratiques et fiables, n’importe où dans le monde. »

Notes: 1 Informa Telecoms & Media Report 2011 (Dec): M-Commerce

De la sécurité mobile Selon Informa Telecoms (1), le nombre d’utilisateurs de services de transfert d’argent sur mobile devrait être multiplié par dix d'ici à 2016 pour atteindre les 304 millions d’utilisateurs. L’expansion de la solution logicielle de paiement mobile s’appuie sur l’expertise de Gemalto dans le domaine de la sécurité mobile, mais aussi sur ses capacités d’intégration et ses références, avec plus de 70 déploiements de services financiers mobiles dans le monde. Après avoir contracté avec Western Union pour offrir ce service, les opérateurs et institutions financières pourront bénéficier du réseau international de Western Union qui comprend près de 510 000 agences.

Les services accessibles L’expansion de la solution logicielle de paiement mobile s’appuie sur l’expertise de Gemalto dans le domaine de la sécurité mobile, mais aussi sur ses capacités d’intégration et ses références, avec plus de 70 déploiements de services financiers mobiles dans le monde. Après avoir contracté avec Western Union pour offrir ce service, les opérateurs et institutions financières pourront bénéficier du réseau international de Western Union qui comprend près de 510 000 agences dans 200 pays et territoires et simplifier les

Le nombre d’utilisateurs de services de transfert d’argent sur mobile devrait être multiplié par dix d'ici à 2016 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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AFRICACOM

Seminars

Discovering and discussing the future of satellite networks and services As Hughes demonstrates with its VSAT seminars at AfricaCom, the 2012 edition of the show will share more expertise than before on enterprise connectivity

B

ROADBAND SATELLITE NETWORKS and services specialist Hughes Network Systems will hold in-depth workshops on its latest technologies and solutions, concurrent to this year’s AfricaCom show in Cape Town, South Africa, on 13 and 14 November. The Hughes seminars are customised to various markets and to the various applications of very small aperture technology (VSAT ).

VSAT’s role in the future enterprise There are five Hughes sessions. The ‘Future Of Enterprise Networking’ seminar, held on 13 November, explores how corporations all over the world use VSAT technology for a range of missioncritical applications. This workshop will present actual case studies from around the world on a range of industries including financial, lottery or gaming, and retail and the key satellite technology enablers.

This will be followed, on the same day, by a discussion of the ‘Ka-Band Revolution’. Probably one of the most important trends in the satellite industry is the development of Ka-band networks.

See the ‘Future of Enterprise networking’,revisit ‘The Ka Band Revolution’,discuss ‘Delivering Maritime Communications’, and learn of breaking developments This workshop will cover Ka-band technology issues including: rain fade mitigation; how Ka-band enables high network capacity; and Ka-band ground system architectures.

‘Cellular Backhaul’ is addressed by Hughes on 14 November. Many cellular service providers are trying to extend cost-effective services to rural and hard-toserve areas. This workshop will explore how satellite can be used to implement cellular backhaul links for these remote areas - highlighting the tradeoffs of SCPC versus TDMA and discussing how service quality and effectiveness can be designed into a satellite-based solution.

Connecting water and oil

HughesNet offers a suite of high-speed connectivity solutions via satellite for home, business, enterprise or government

30 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

Also on 14 November is a Hughes session on ‘Maritime and Mobility’. Enterprises in the maritime industry seek cost-effective ways to enhance crew loyalty and provide crew welfare related services, constantly. This seminar will cover how maritime requirements are met using satellite technology in an affordable manner.

Finally, the Hughes seminar on the ‘Oil & Gas Industry’ on 14 November, showing that today's highly sophisticated oil and gas exploration industries, the importance of network reliability cannot be overstated, as modern rigs function as much as complex data collection hubs as they do drilling devices.

Pipelines need to be monitored 24/7 to ensure environmental safety and ensure there are not service disruptions. This seminar will discuss how satellite can efficiently meet the needs of the industry.

Hughes delivers network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. The HughesNet satellite Internet service caters to every budget. Those interested can learn more about the seminars, which are complimentary, at africashow.hughes.com ✆

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AFRICACOM

Solutions

A showcase Ethernet service aggregation platform

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T AFRICACOM 2012, RAD Data Communications will premier its award-winning ETX-5300A Carrier Ethernet Service Aggregation Platform - the ETX5300A was cited recently as Best Carrier Ethernet Aggregation Product EMEA by a panel of judges from industry analyst firms including Ovum and Infonetics, and telecom operators including Telus, Colt, Oi Brasil, and NTT Japan; the ETX-5300A features an extensive Ethernet service assurance toolset with a suite of advanced timingover-packet synchronisation technologies, including a 1588 grandmaster clock - and can be used to provide timing-over-packet services in wholesale networks, and to serve as a single instrument for empowering the convergence of 10GbE business, wholesale and mobile network services over the same infrastructure.

The award-winning ETX-5300A Carrier Ethernet Service Aggregation Platform, from RAD Data Networks

Specialist partners in industry and development A member of the RAD Group of companies, RAD Data Communications has designed and manufactured specialised networking equipment since its formation in 1981. The company’s research, development and engineering includes TDM, Ethernet, MPLS, IP, ATM, frame relay, E1/T1, E3/T3, xDSL, SDH/SONET, pseudowire circuit emulation and service emulation, clock synchronisation, voice compression, wireless

technology, mobile and satellite connectivity, fibre optics, SFPs (small form-factor pluggable) and ASICs (application-specific integrated circuit) solutions, and integrated network management.

Today, the company’s installed base includes more than 150 carriers and operators around the world - including Sonatel, Sotelma, Telkom Kenya, Camtel, and CIT in Africa. ✆

www.rad.com

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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INTERNET

Fibre

A smart approach to managing last mile connectivity Connecting corporate South Africa requires innovative thinking, with respect to public and private sector collaboration

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HE AVAILABILITY OF bandwidth in South Africa has improved dramatically in recent years. However, while there may be a lot of capacity coming into the country, the majority of users remain unable to access it. There has been much investment into fibre rings, which brings this high speed connectivity into cities, but the difficulty remains in getting this bandwidth to the end user. The challenge of a lack of end user connectivity is hindering connectivity for businesses, especially in business parks where multiple users need to make use of limited last mile infrastructure, throttling speeds. Addressing connectivity and bandwidth is in the interests of businesses and the economy, and the time is ripe for the private sector to partner with the public sector to deliver smart solutions to the challenge of the last mile.

Bringing capacity and broadband connectivity into South Africa remains a challenge even though, with several undersea cables, bandwidth is available. One of the reasons for this is the fact that investment in fixed line infrastructure has been stagnant. Mobile technology is limited by the amount of spectrum available. Mobile networks are only capable of catering for a set number of users, and so can never be the only solution to broadband access and connectivity. In order to bring broadband to more

If numerous businesses each looked at tackling their own areas, the last mile infrastructure South Africa desperately needs will be created far quicker than if corporate wait for state owned organisations to deal with it on their own 32 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

businesses and individual users, it is vital to tackle the last mile with a mixture of mediums, both fixed line and wireless. However each medium also has its own respective challenges, from available spectrum on the wireless side to the cost of deployment on the fixed line side.

Enterprise for economy The challenge of addressing the last mile is a national problem, it is not only the government or state-owned enterprises that have a responsibility to take on this issue. The reality is that lack of last mile connectivity is hindering the economic growth of South Africa, and needs to be dealt with by both the government and the private sector. The capital investment required, the time it takes to deploy infrastructure and the requirement for a variety of mediums and technology to address the last mile mean that this challenge is not something that can be solved by any single entity. Until public and private sector are able to collaborate, we will continue to fall behind in terms of global connectivity, and are in danger of falling behind other African countries which have not had legacy infrastructure issues to deal with and have leapfrogged South Africa.

Even though this is a huge challenge, it also presents a unique opportunity for private sector organisations to get involved in delivering last mile infrastructure, particularly in areas such as corporate parks and corporate buildings, shopping malls and other closed communities. There are metro fibre rings that can be accessed, but these need to be taken inside these closed communities in order to address the last mile. Closed communities are prevalent in the South African

landscape, and as a result there is so much work to be done to bring connectivity to these areas that there is more than enough room for multiple players to take the stage, by deploying fibre and wireless solutions, as well as in-building coverage, in these areas.

The solution to the challenge of the last mile is for government and private sector to join forces in the journey towards deploying last mile infrastructure. Corporate South Africa needs to start looking at projects that will address their own business needs by deploying their own infrastructure instead of waiting for someone else to do this. The unused capacity can then be sold to other users, opening up new avenues of business.

Municipalities are already beginning to tackle the issue of the last mile, putting fibre in the ground that addresses their connectivity needs but also offering excess fibre capacity for sale to enable more widespread access. As an example, the BWired project has created fibre connectivity in and around Johannesburg, and the additional capacity is being sold on to ISPs who are able to then take this capacity to business. The same model can be applied in the corporate environment, creating open access networks.

There are many opportunities for corporate South Africa to take advantage of when it comes to last mile connectivity, but infrastructure development may not be a core business focus for most organisations. Partnering with a specialist in end-to-end last mile infrastructure provision will enable corporates to partner with the public sector to deliver the connectivity South Africa needs. â&#x153;&#x2020;

Mark van Vuuren, Managing Director of Jasco ICT Solutions

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Plessey Offers A Broad Range Of End-To-End Integrated Telecommunications Solutions.

Providing site build & infrastructure establishment solutions. We specialise in the deployment of fibre optical cable for transmission backbone & metro network; offer microwave transmission solutions, including the supply, installation & commissioning of point-to-point as well as point-to-multipoint services. We give clients access to a wide range of applications & technologies, including WiMAX & broadband satellite services.

Existing Plessey Offices: 13 Countries Worked & Working: 24 Currently there are regional offices in Southern, East, West and Central Africa. Additionally Plessey has worked in 24 countries in SubSahara Africa.

Africa’s premier provider of turnkey, telecommunications infrastructure solutions.

+27 11 655 1700 • www.plessey.co.za • info@plessey.co.za

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INTERNET

Fibre

Fibre to meet demand for market-led growth Improved international connectivity is central to Kenya’s economic development through intelligent and comprehensive communications capacity

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ENYA HAS BECOME an important regional and continental hub for international connectivity into and out of Africa, with four major fibreoptic submarine cables - EASSy, SEACOM, TEAMs and LION2 – connecting at Mombasa.

High-capacity terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure is extending this connectivity to the country’s borders with its neighbours and beyond.

Headquartered in Nairobi and jointly owned by 14 major telecom operators in Africa (all first or second tier operators in their respective countries), WIOCC is playing an influential role in Kenya’s growth, supplying its telcos and Internet service providers with access to affordable, reliable, high-capacity international bandwidth and connectivity to the Internet.

Recent improvements in Kenya’s international and local connectivity are having a profound effect on the country’s economic prospects, the way international and local businesses operate and even upon how individuals go about their daily lives.

Businesses are taking advantage of improved networks and enhanced service offerings to boost their efficiency and productivity in a variety of ways: including the provision of better inter-office communications; enabling remote workers to access corporate information and email ‘on the road’; facilitating home working and increasing the availability of ‘cloud’-based services. The enhanced connectivity is also improving access to other African and international markets and customers, creating opportunities for organisations in Kenya to extend their business reach and grow their revenues.

The business of broadband Telecoms is a very significant market in Kenya.

According to Pyramid Research’s ‘Kenya Intelligence Report’ (February 2012), it was worth an expected US$1.5bn in 2011 and is predicted to reach approximately US$1.7bn by 2016.

Increasing revenues in the mobile sector are driving growth in the telecoms market as a whole. The largest revenue currently comes from mobile voice - estimated at US$886mn in 2011. However, the healthiest growth is in mobile data, due to the adoption of mobile money transfer services (M-PESA) and the penetration of 3G-based services supporting broadband Internet. Mobile data revenues are expected to increase from an estimated US$457mn in 2011 to US$751mn in 2016, almost a 44 per share of total telecom revenues. Mobile voice will lose revenue share to mobile data and broadband Internet as voice tariffs experience further reductions due to ongoing price wars. Consequently, mobile voice revenue is expected to decline from 60 per cent of total market revenues today to a projected 48 per cent in 2016.

The predicted growth in data and broadband services will place further demands on the country’s national and international telecommunications infrastructure. Ongoing investment in both will be required to maintain commercial and societal benefits.

Kenya, East Africa, Africa and the rest of the world Kenya is a significant force in the East Africa region, and WIOCC has been playing a central role in enabling the wider East African business community to work more closely with other

African regions and globally. Through the terrestrial networks of its shareholders and selected partners - including Kenyan businesses TKL Orange and FON - WIOCC has access to more than 50,000km of terrestrial optical fibre in Africa, enabling it to offer its customers unrivalled network reach extending to 400+ locations in 20 African countries and more than 700 cities in 70 countries globally.

WIOCC created the first truly seamless, highbandwidth, low-latency ‘ring’ around Africa and connecting to Europe. This enables WIOCC to offer its customers lower unit costs and extended reach, and also offersan improved diversity proposition.

Factors including the explosion in mobile broadband uptake and huge growth in the use of data-rich personal and business applications are having a profound effect upon Kenyans, Kenyan business communities and the communications market in Kenya. For this to continue, Kenyan and international operators must find ways to meet ongoing demand for reliable international connectivity.

Such organisations are looking to specialist capacity wholesalers such as Africa’s carriers’ carrier WIOCC, to deliver the scalable, diversityrich, seamless connectivity solutions they require to serve the needs of Kenyan businesses and consumers. ✆

Mike Last, Marketing and International Business Development Director at WIOCC

34 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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MOBILE

Revenue

The purchase problems of service providers The African telecommunications market calls for a new multi-faceted approach to test equipment sourcing

W

ITH MANY AFRICAN economies now seeing high levels of growth, the need for greater communications coverage and more sophisticated infrastructure capable of supporting higher data capacities is starting to take hold across the continent. UMTS-based 3G networks are in the process of being launched in many of its countries as consumer demand for mobile handsets supporting the multimedia, location and financial services that are now commonplace in the Western world begins to rise.

Until now, the mobile market in Africa has been dwarfed by those of more developed regions (with only 53 per cent penetration compared to 119.5 per cent for Europe, according to ITU figures compiled for last year), but this is rapidly changing. Industry analysts at Informa have predicted there will be over one billion mobile subscribers situated within the African continent by 2016, almost doubling the total number in 2011. By this time Nigeria will have approximately 140mn subscribers - with Egypt at 130mn, South Africa at 70mn, Morocco at 45mn, Algeria at 40mn and Kenya at 35mn remaining the six largest subscriber bases for the foreseeable future.

As more advanced networks begin to be rolled out, the problem of how to go about sourcing the various items of equipment needed for implementing, monitoring and troubleshooting new base stations must be faced. The purchasing price of such hardware could prove difficult for organisations located within many African states to cope with. Furthermore, once the initial testing activity has been carried out, there may be very little residual need for this equipment in anything other than low numbers of units.

Of prime importance to any company within the telecom sector, where ever they are in the world, is keeping the financial risks involved to a minimum.

The nature of this business makes it very hard to calculate exactly what will happen in the

Fig 1: Comparison between initial purchasing cost & total cost

36 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

short/medium term, let alone further into the future.

This inherent unpredictability is particularly acute in African nations where the telecom industry has still to fully mature.

African mobile operators and their contractors need access to advanced instrumentation with which they can upgrade legacy networks and bring coverage to areas not previously served. The way in which they go about achieving such goals, without being left financially vulnerable, needs very serious consideration. In many cases they are looking to explore a lternative sourcing solutions.

Renting equipment Test equipment rental has already proved its worth in countries like the USA (constituting around 20 per cent of the total market there), the UK, France and India. The nature of the African telecommunications landscape, where a far more pronounced need to avoid large capital investment exists, is likely to make it a popular option here in the coming years.

The rationale behind organisations renting test hardware as opposed to taking the more conventional route of direct purchase is being regarded as particularly valid in developing countries, such as those found in many parts of Africa. It allows these organisations to add the desired pieces of equipment to their operations without warranting a heavy initial outlay of funds. They are not exposed to on-going running costs (insurance, maintenance, repair, recalibration, finance repayment, downtime cover and transportation), which often effectively double the cost of ownership of a piece of equipment over a period of 3 years (see Figure 1) .

Rental also resolves issues of availability, so that additional equipment can quickly be sourced in order to satisfy sudden surges in demand, whereas purchasing can have long lead times to contend with.

It permits much greater flexibility too, so that changes in test requirements donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t call for additional expense later on. Immediate fault replacement means that the impact of downtime can be circumvented.

Furthermore, as utilisation and payment are effectively synchronised together, it is much easier to ensure full return on the investment. Equipment can be returned as soon as it is no longer needed. Finally, employing a rental strategy means that cash is not tied up in inventory, but can be used elsewhere â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thereby allowing African mobile operators/contractors to be more fiscally agile. â&#x153;&#x2020;

Basel Shubair, Livingston

S06 CAF 6 2012 Report 02_Layout 1 30/10/2012 15:38 Page 37

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Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

37

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NETWORK

Infrastructure

The need to address the infrastructure inefficiency gap Standard solutions may not provide the best designs for all scenarios; indeed, using offthe-shelf solutions, operators may risk designing inherent inefficiencies into the network

N

ETWORK DESIGN AND RF planning is conducted using industryaccepted solutions to maximise and optimise the network layout using the physical equipment and infrastructure an operator has at its disposal; getting this design right, sets the foundation for a successfully operating network.

However, these ‘standard’ solutions may not offer optimal scenarios, and by restricting the design by only using these off-the-shelf solutions, operators risk designing inherent inefficiencies into the network. If these inefficiences - let’s call them, collectively, the ‘infrastructure efficiency gap’ - are left without being ‘optimised’, (using latest/best equipment, antennas, combiners, best practice installation skills), then a mobile customer may end up having a bad experience and churning, or the operator ends up with a higher investment requirement simply because they have not used the most efficient options available.

Optimising the capacity and quality of latest 2G, 3G and LTE networks, to give operators as much control over quality of service (QoS) as possible, is becoming an increasingly important differentiator for them as they look to launch and enhance these latest-technology services.

However, it is infrastructure planning, which is every bit as important, if not moreso, than subsequent RF planning, for simply through minor engineering tweaks, or by optimising the infrastructure design with non-standard solutions, can huge benefits result for operators. In the past, infrastructure planning has typically been a secondary consideration, but as roll-outs of LTE and demands for data bandwidth increase, it is essential that mobile operators minimise the risks involved in deployment and ensure network quality from day one.

capabilities without impacting network quality and performance; low-loss combiners and multiplexers will help reduce capex and overall opex for operators sharing infrastructure including RF equipment, and a new breed of passive, tuned filters for combined operations, can bring operators together within the same band and with virtually no losses. Their use ensures the operators’ respective services are protected and network performance remains at least as good as it was prior to sharing.

Outsourced infrastructure providers who own and manage towers and assets on behalf of operators can, in some regions, influence the decisions to share sites and assets, in turn enabling them to meet their service level agreements more easily with each of the sharing operators while, at the same time, increasing their own margins by reducing CAPEX needed to deliver.

A single answer to many problems How a single piece of equipment can impact the network is perfectly illustrated by the site savings made possible using Bi-Sector Array antennas, which are designed to dramatically

improve network service capacity and quality by addressing spectral efficiency, link quality, and coverage constraints. The unique shaping of Bi-Sector Arrays make 6-sector deployments practical, resulting in significant cost savings and performance improvements.

Supporting two high-band sectors from a single antenna and providing the capability for multi-technology (UMTS, DCS1800, LTE1800) coverage from a single enclosure, the Bi-Sector solution more than doubles capacity. It also reduces interference and provides optimised overlap between pairs of asymmetric beams, lowering soft handover losses in UMTS/HSPA and CDMA/EVDO systems, and minimising interference between sectors in GSM and LTE. Its single-panel design offers the opportunity to reduce antenna count and can replace existing, less efficient antennas without mount changes. The new coverage that matches the existing footprint minimises the need for optimisation and adjacent site changes, and results in Bi-Sector Array sites displaying significant savings in both CAPEX and OPEX. ✆

Peter Jackson, Director, CCI

The infrastructure factor Where more than one operator is vying for coverage and capacity in a given region, efficient cell-site equipment sharing by operators at the tower is one aspect of optimising the use of infrastructure that should be addressed. Several readily available solutions can deliver increased site

38 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

In Africa, mobile operators often face power constraints at the cell site and cannot afford to waste power using inefficient infrastructure. With operators in South Africa and Nigeria seeing huge growth in high-speed data demands and racing to deploy 3G and even 4G/LTE networks, optimizing infrastructure and using latest equipment such as bi-sector array antennas - which can be sourced in Africa through Johannesburg-based CCI partner, Radio Network Solutions - is essential

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NETWORK

Power

Stable, efficient UPS energy with Eaton

E

ATON TAKES A particular stance when it comes to powering the server environment. There are clusters of servers today, increasingly processing larger and more complex operations, handling more demanding tasks.

In Africa and in the Middle East, there are particular issues with respect to stable power supply and supporting systems for enterprises whose transactions involve significant amounts of

The Eaton 9PX offers more power, more efficiency and more stability to support finance and telecommunications than typical UPS units offered today

data processing. Here, we may not be thinking necessarily of facilities managers, though they will require this equipment; we may be thinking, particularly, of the requirements of telecommunications firms and of financial institutions. Cyrille Brisson, VP Power Quality EMEA at Eaton Electrical Industries, offered the theoretical example of a telecommunications company experiencing significant growth in subscribers for its advanced, data-rich, mobile communications services. Be clear that the theoretical example offered here is very real to many EMEA mobile network operators and their associated enterprises.

"We are a believer in the fact that you have less and less downtime and-less and particularly since the advent of the smartphone," said Mr Brisson.

"And we have been thinking about the cost and availability of power, as there has been underinvestment in power infrastructure for years, allied to investment in renewables."

Mr Brisson explained that the increase of renewable investment does not necessarily lead to increased grid provision by proportion, which means that the energy mix can be imbalances and lead to unstable power provision.

Ensure readiness and flexibility Of particular note in emerging markets is the uptake of apps for mobile devices, which can add stress to networks on the traffic management side, and hence also in terms of power consumption by data centres. Eaton's new line of uniterruptible power supply technology, the 9PX, is designed to deliver secure, stable support. it is designed for visualised IT

Cyrille Brisson, VP Power Quality EMEA at Eaton Electrical Industries

environments, for energy efficiency, for future-energyproof systems, and for comprehensive information provision within the enterprise and without organisations, in support of market operations. The 9PX delivers 28 per cent more power shifts consuming 40 per cent less energy than the typical UPS available today. â&#x153;&#x2020;

www.powerquality.eaton.com

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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NETWORK

Satellite

Meeting the African information explosion How information will be the lifeblood of Africa’s future and how O3b’s technology will play a crucial role in the development of the African telecommunications market

A

LL OVER THE world innovation and growth is spurred by the ability to exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Access to high speed data communications delivers a rich mixture of media for education, healthcare, business and government services but unfortunately, a large number of Africa’s population still do not have access to broadband communications. The major bottleneck remains connectivity to the Internet backbone, however new innovations in satellite technology are ready to support the information explosion that is just beginning in Africa. Global satellite service provider O3b Networks is deploying a next generation satellite network that combines the speed of fibre with the reach of satellite, providing people and businesses in remote locations fast, flexible and affordable connectivity.

New satellite technology for new applications Africa has relied on satellite technology for voice and data communications for decades and will continue to do so for decades to come. Satellites cover large landmasses that are too extensive to cost effectively cover with fibre.

But in areas where high quality fibre infrastructure is readily available, consumers have instant access to streaming video and online gaming while businesses are using sophisticated cloud based business applications.

These new applications are very sensitive to the high latency of geosynchronous satellites that currently serve Africa. Without additional costly hardware and software, the performance of delay sensitive applications is slow and 40 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

Omar Trujillo, Regional VP Africa & Latin America, O3b Networks

unacceptable to most users O3b will launch a new constellation of satellites that will be in service from mid-2013 which are 4.5 times closer to the earth than traditional geosynchronous satellites. O3b’s MEO satellites will reduce the transit delay from 500ms to less than 150ms. The lower latency will mean that the user experience for customers connected by O3b satellites will be similar to customers connected by fibre. Lower latency means that voice calls are conducted without a detectable delay. Several studies have shown that better quality voice results in longer calls, producing more revenue for the operators. Also as the Internet becomes more driven by interactive applications and with the migration of mobile networks to IP based technologies, this will ensure that even users in many parts of Africa can remain at par with their contemporaries in the developed world, in terms of access to information and the

ability to leverage the next generation of mobile technology.

Africa has benefitted immensely from mobile broadband because it remains the most efficient last mile technology to connect end users to the Internet. However, while the demand for mobile services grows, building the towers and the backhaul infrastructure in remote rural areas is a very costly affair for mobile operators. The revenues operators receive for mobile broadband services are often not enough to justify expanding coverage beyond densely populated areas. New 3G and LTE services can provide new revenue but they require much more bandwidth and the technology’s latency requirements are not achievable by today’s satellites.

This is one of the gaps O3b intends to fill, with its low latency satellites.

Broadband adoption will go up as smartphone prices come down With over 620mn mobile connections as of September 2011,

Africa has overtaken Latin America to become the second largest mobile market in the world, after Asia. Over the past 10 years, the number of mobile connections in Africa has grown an average of 30% per year and is forecast to reach 735mn by the end of 2012 with the core of the growth to come from rural areas. (1) Also, as the price of smartphones goes down to a level where they are affordable to people in rural areas, they will also want to benefit from the access to information, social networks, mobile banking and other applications.

MNOs will need to significantly increase their networks coverage and capabilities to provide such services. The O3bCell product will help to bring low latency broadband access to these customers while offering a very attractive payback period to the MNOs.

The right infrastructure Africa’s adoption of broadband has lagged the rest of the world because of lack of affordable connectivity to the internet backbone. Traditional satellites provided wide coverage but their high latency and low speed are insufficient for today’s media rich, delay sensitive applications. With the arrival of new fibre cables and O3b’s new satellite technology, Africa finally has access to the infrastructure it needs at the right prices to support an explosion of information and entertainment that will be the lifeblood of innovation and growth for its future. ✆

Omar Trujillo, Regional VP Africa & Latin America at O3b Networks Notes: 1. http://www.africafocus.org/ docs11/ict1111.php

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NETWORK

Markets

MTN delivers Microsoft’s new ecosystem to Africa

M

TN GAINS FRESH impetus amongst operators in Africa with the delivery of Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 devices to its customers in South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria this year - and other MTN territories next year.

As part of its strategic alliance with Microsoft, MTN customers in South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria will be among the first users in the world to experience the Windows 8 and Windows Phone

“MTN will showcase Microsoft offerings across phones, PCs and tablets in our flagship stores in South Africa and beyond” Christian de Faria, MTN Group Chief Commercial Officer

8 operating systems.

The launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 devices in MTN markets is integral to MTN’s aim to offer customers a rich and dynamic digital services user experience.

“MTN is particularly excited about the alliance with Microsoft as it ties in perfectly with our customer-centricity approach. Our customers have become dynamic consumers of digital services and want immediacy. Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 allow us to offer them just that,” says Christian de Faria, MTN Group Chief Commercial Officer.

A unified experience Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 provide users with a unified experience across the PC, phone

and tablet.

“Microsoft is delighted to collaborate with MTN to make Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 available in Africa,” says Oran Dror, Senior Director, Operator Channels, Microsoft Middle East and Africa. “With Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, MTN customers will have a fast and fluid experience that comes to life with exciting hardware and applications and interoperability with the cloud.”

MTN continues to make significant investments towards network infrastructure across its markets. In South Africa, MTN will soon launch a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, which will further enhance the user-experience of Windows Phone 8. ✆

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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RÉSEAUX

Économie

L'institut Orange, l'économie et la société en temps réel

U

NE SESSION DE l'institut Orange s’est tenu à Boston et à New York, en octobre 2012. L’institut Orange, qui fête ses trois années d'activités, conduit des recherches sur l'impact des avancées du numérique sur l'économie et la société dans le monde.

Pendant trois jours, des conférences et des rencontres a permis d'explorer comment les avancées dans le domaine des algorithmes et des sciences des données couramment appelé le Big Data, sont de plus en plus adoptées par le monde des médias sociaux et étudiera leurs conséquences importantes sur les activités traditionnelles -

notamment dans les médias, le marketing, la publicité et la finance.

Les échanges de travaux Des scientifiques, des entrepreneurs de startups, des entreprises établies et des spécialistes de la créativité de l'économie numérique s’ont rassemblé pour appréhender comment ces nouvelles technologies exploitant les données massives ou Big Data sont en train d'impacter nos vies dans une société qui fonctionne de plus en plus en temps réel.

Ces réunions sont venus après une série de rencontres et d'échanges multidisciplinaires qui ont été organisées par l'institut Orange depuis

Les échanges de travaux sont conçus pour permettre aux participants d'adopter une approche multidisciplinaire afin d'explorer la consumérisation de l'informatique, et ils représentent de startup locales de sociétés de capital risque et des du développement économique

sa formation en 2009. La première réunion s'est tenue dans la Silicon Valley et depuis, d'autres réunions se sont tenues à Tokyo, Madrid, TelAviv, Beijing, Paris en mobilisant plus de 100 leaders d'opinion représentant une grande diversité de disciplines.

Ces réunions ont permis à l’institut Orange de poursuivre son objectif qui consiste à encourager les entreprises et autres organisations à écrire un nouveau chapitre sur les façons de mieux apprendre et de comprendre les changements provoqués par des technologies en rapide évolution et en transformation. Pour y être mieux préparés.

Les réunions à New York et à Boston ont rassemblé des membres de l'institut Orange qui sont venus de secteurs variés avec des leaders d'opinion d'organisations et d'institutions aussi célèbres que le MIT média lab, the Harvard Innovation Lab, The New York Times Research and Development Department, la start up Foursquare, the United Nations Global Pulse initiative. ✆

All-in-one \adj: all-inclusive. For the contact centre, Interactive Intelligence defines its all-inone IP communications platform this way: All communications applications running on a single platform. A single point of administration for all functionality, meaning less training and less complexity. Add-on applications activate with simple license keys, to bypass costly, complex integrations.

Complete fault tolerance and business continuity for all contact centre applications. A single allinclusive solution from a single vendor, including a single maintenance contract. All redefined by a lower total cost of ownership. Shouldn’t this be your definition too?

www.inin.com

42 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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VAS

Marketing

Making and marketing music for the mobile masses Reflections on the growth and potential of a distinctive social platform for the entertainment industry

T

HERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES to engage influential communities of connected Africans, affluent Africans, online and mobile, with highly localised content, delivered through platforms that mobile operators and entertainment enterprises can exploit to add and retain custom, and to add services and revenue streams. Mobile engagement has reaped benefits for companies such as InternetQ, which delivers innovation to the mobile marketing and entertainment industries. It represents both challenges and opportunities for Apostolos Zervos, Chief Strategy Officer at InternetQ, who maintains a clear focus on digital/mobile marketing solutions, and on the value propositions applicable to client engagement.

Mobile marketing for mobile commerce The expanding capabilities of mobile devices have made them ever more relevant and appealing as a marketing medium. Since its formation in 2000, InternetQ has sought to capitalise on the capabilities of advanced mobile devices. Notable amongst its product development over the years were its mVAS solutions, introduced in 2010 - the same year that the company conducted a multi-lingual, cross-operator mobile marketing campaign across 15 countries in partnership with Rotana media group an Arabic entertainment company with six TV channels, seven radio stations, film production activities, a magazine and a record label.

InternetQ’s stragegy road map for the mobile industry is all about reaching out to customers through appropriate channels, at optimal times and with viable propositions. Key, also, is the capability to nurture relationships into longer-term, valuable arrangements, accommodating consumers' anywhere-anytime lifestyles, converting opportunities into measurable actions that achieve commercial goals.

Amongst the value propositions developedm supplied and supported by InternetQ is the Akazoo online social network (www.akazoo.com), which is distinguished amongst social communities by offering unique rewards to its active users, who can enjoy the usual community features whilst also

gaining access to music, free web-to-mobile SMS, online games and inhouse credits that can be exchanged in an online community store.

The core business model at InternetQ centres on bridging mobile and Web interfaces with appealing applications, innovative product design and an adeherence to quality throughout the value chain. The ongoing development of Akazoo represents the clearest example of this approach to market, as the copany behind it continues its commitment to the evolution of its features and services portfolio, to ensure that it continues to be a preferred destination for users.

Apostolos Zervos stressed that, with Akazoo, Internetq offers operator opportunities for revenue gain through social networking, for provisioning of consumer benefits – in the form of mobile payments and local content - that can help to secure customer loyalty. Akazoo represents a real opportunity for operators to use music as a valueadded service to drive customer loyalty and monitise content or user base - creating a social experience that merges social networking and digital media consumption - through streaming, downloading and sharing of local and international music as well as digital content. ✆

Soukna Comnet Power Management System (PMS) Compatible with Multiple Mobile Platform

Akazoo represents a real opportunity for operators to secure a significant share of the music market Comnet Power provides an integrated and remotely managed fully power solution combining the existing power sources like: Gel batteries, fuel generators and commercial power with new power source technologies like: Wind Turbine, Solar Panels, Fuel Cells, and more advanced technology which is the Fuel Enrichment System used to reduce the fuel consumption of generators.

• Low OPEX => High revenues • Reduce Manpower, Maintenance and Fuel cost Dbayé Highway Dbayé , Lebanon Telefax: 00961-4-545175 Email: sales@souknacomnet.com

www.souknacomnet.com Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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BROADCAST

Satellite

At the heart of MultiTV’s success SES expertise underpins developments in satellite broadcasting that will deliver benefits to West African audiences

I

N AFRICA, ONLY one in three homes currently has a TV set and just 10 per cent of the population has access to digital TV. This number is set to grow exponentially as younger generations demand more channels and better connectivity, creating an opportunity for broadcasters and entrepreneurs alike.

Global satellite operator SES is working with broadcasters and manufacturers to fast-track digital television distribution via satellite, which overcomes challenges such as high infrastructure costs and difficult terrain. There is no doubt that TV delivered by satellite, and free-to-air (FTA) in particular, is poised to rapidly gain traction in the African market.

“The digital FTA market is already thriving in Ghana,” said Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, Senior VP for SES in Africa. “Supported by a joint

“At the heart of Multi TV’s success is the establishment of a national distribution network and an accredited installer base” - Ibrahima Guimba Saidou, Senior VP for SES in Africa

Ibrahima Guimba Saidou, Senior VP for SES in Africa

44 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

marketing campaign with SES, the audience for Multi TV has grown 500 per cent in two years. This makes an excellent case study of a successful broadcaster using satellite to build its audience.”

Multi TV offers 18 TV channels with six radio stations broadcast throughout Ghana and across West Africa from SES’ ASTRA 2B satellite at the 28.2 degrees East orbital position. It offers a range of channels featuring films, sports, kids’ TV, international and local news, entertainment and religious channels and including public broadcaster GBC’s GTV channel, and Multi TV’s own branded channels, Joy TV, Joy Sport and Joy News. The broadcaster has an inclusive policy of ‘Digital TV access for all’ and does not charge any subscription fees. All that is needed to receive the unencrypted channels is an affordable digibox and dish.

Because of the nature of the satellite signal, Multi TV’s broadcasts via ASTRA 2B are available throughout Ghana, even in the more remote northern areas where terrestrial communications can be unreliable or non-existent.

Training for success “At the heart of Multi TV’s success is the establishment of a national distribution network and an accredited installer base,” commented Guimba-Saidou.

Working with Multi TV, SES Africa’s marketing team has developed an installer training programme Elevate which ensures that dealers and installers have the skills and accreditation necessary for FTA channels to satisfy customers, who receive a clear picture from a satellite dish which has been properly installed. The programme also boosts the local economy by providing incomeboosting opportunities for installers.

Elevate has over 1000 accredited installers, predominantly in the largest cities of Accra and Kumasi. Sales of Multi TV digiboxes are currently running about 30,000 every month and the company is looking to increase the numbers with a further 2500 installers to join Elevate.

The joint marketing campaign with SES kicked off in 2010 and since that launch date, Multi TV’s audience has grown from 200 000 homes to over 1-million today, a growth figure which places Multi TV as SES’s fastest-growing FTA broadcaster in the region.

TVs for Africa The rapid growth of digital audience figures on the African continent has received a further boost with the launch of Samsung’s ‘made for Africa’ LED TV set with a built-in FTA receiver.

With an initial roll-out of Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon in August this year, the TV set will also be available in other markets in due course.

The integrated satellite receiver in the Samsung LED TV allow consumers to receive television channels for free without the need for an additional digibox or set top box as the LED screen will be directly connected with the satellite dish.

As a leader in the free-to-air market, SES delivers more than 60 free-to-air channels to more than 40 African countries.

“The Samsung LED TV Free Satellite will promote access to digital TV content by making it more convenient for consumers.

Conversely, broadcasters will be encouraged to launch more content, having a broader audience. This is a win-win situation for all,” concluded Guimba-Saidou. ✆

S08 CAF 6 2012 Advertorial_Layout 1 31/10/2012 09:56 Page 45

ADVERTORIAL

Acision

Maximising mobile messaging in the IP world Acision’s commitment to helping operators unleash the power of enriched, seamless messaging services

A

S WE MOVE into a new era of communication and connectivity, now dominated by enriched IPbased services and apps, mobile operators are in a unique position to set themselves apart from other messaging service providers. With the reach and reliability of SMS already in their network they can enable seamless messaging services across all networks (2G, 3G, 4G/LTE), devices, social networks and communities, providing an unmatched, ubiquitous IP messaging experience to boost loyalty, retention and revenue.

Today, operators’ most significant messaging service, SMS, continues to prove popular and generates huge amounts of revenue. At the same time, a new breed of messaging services is taking the world by storm - rich, IP based Over-The-Top (OTT) messaging. Their market uptake has been augmented by user perception that these services are free and this has put increased pressure on operators’ messaging revenue as users opt for ‘freemium’ solutions when online over other methods of communication.

Supporting investment in capacity Focusing on the African telecoms market, mobile operators are continually making significant network investment in a bid to support the demand for these new services through capacity and capability upgrades. In turn, as network capabilities grow and become faster demand for applications and VAS services increases, and while investment in network goes up operators don’t necessarily see any income from third party OTT apps. Operators need to respond now by

Operators in Africa can enrich the user experience and improve productivity by taking advantage of hosted, cloud or managed services environments

introducing their own enriched messaging services which resonate with the user. As experienced service providers, with a solid customer base, reputation of trust and quality, as well as insight into user behaviour, they are in a unique position to leverage existing assets while integrating new messaging services into their offering.

Acision is completely committed to helping operators take the step towards ubiquitous IP messaging services by leveraging our unique expertise and market-leading technology in messaging. Based on our own consumer research and expertise in the mobile industry, Acision, the global leader in mobile messaging, has determined that the mobile user has a requirement for a service which has the universal reach and uncompromised Quality of Service expected from their operator, but with rich features, such as file share and group chat.

Acision recently questioned 1,250 smartphones users about their messaging requirements (in the UK and US).

Respondents to Acision’s research were asked about the attractiveness of a new operator-based service that provided SMS/MMS/IM/group chat and file/video sharing that reaches all mobile users. Over half of smartphone users questioned (52 per cent) stated they would use such a service.

When asked what this messaging service should look like, top requirements were related to service characteristics rather than features.

Price, identified as the main driver to OTT service uptake, was also the number one requirement for adoption of a new rich messaging service. The second most important requirements all relate to Quality of Service, and corresponded to strengths of SMS including reliability (50 per cent), instant delivery (45 per cent) and ability to reach everyone (42 per cent). Finally, there was also a clear need for enhanced messaging features including: support for multiple devices (35 per cent); content sharing (32 per cent); ‘is-typing’ indication (24 per cent); conversational view (24 per cent) and group chat (18 per cent).

Acision is well geared to drive the

seamless end to end messaging experience through Acision Broadband Messaging Service Centre (BMSC) - the foundation for “Any-2-Any Messaging” and Rich Communications based on the GSMA’s standards.

As a single integrated communications solution which works across all networks from 2G to LTE, Acision BMSC provides a full set of IP messaging services - including SMS, MMS, voicemail and the GSMA’s Rich Communication Suite (RCS) of services such as instant messaging, group chat, file transfer, and video sharing.

As a unique value add to operators, Acision BMSC goes beyond RCS standards by enabling a consistent, seamless user experience across all messaging services including mobile, Internet communities and social networks. Third parties and enterprises can also benefit from the richer messaging services using RCS capabilities, while operators can bolt on premium-based network value-added services, such as autoreply, copy forward, parental control for additional revenue opportunities.

Other ways operators in Africa can enrich the user experience and improve productivity is by taking advantage of hosted, cloud or managed services environments - allowing them to drive enhanced services to market quicker, at the same time generating more revenues with much less cost.

Acision’s Cloud Delivery Model provides a library of enhanced messaging services, which today include group messaging, black and white listing, auto reply, auto signature and message copy.

As the market evolves, operators must develop services that are relevant and provide an enriched experience in direct response to consumer demand. With their customer base, insight and messaging infrastructure, operators are in a unique position to rapidly meet such needs, remain relevant and monetise these services by adding the value other messaging providers can’t bring to the table.

Khalil Al Hindwan, SVP and GM at Acision, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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PROFILE

Inmarsat

From Libya to your living room: the transformation of newsgathering An overview of the ways in which current and future mobile satellite services are reshaping the broadcast industry

N

EWSGATHERING IN AFRICA is undergoing a quiet revolution fuelled by advances in technology, consumer demand for 24-hour news and the rise in popularity of citizen journalism.

Against this backdrop, how do journalists in the field stay one step ahead?

Not that long ago, journalists working in conflict zones or covering humanitarian disasters had the relative luxury of a few hours to gather and analyse material before going on air.

Events were witnessed in retrospect. In today’s 24-hour news cycle the pressure on journalists is huge because the deadline is always now.

While advances in technology have resulted in an ‘all you can eat’ news culture, the challenge for broadcasters today is to equip their field-based reporters with the right technology to keep the news rolling without compromising on quality or racking up unnecessary costs.

On top of the pressure to report events as they happen, today’s journalists have to contend with ‘citizen journalism’ – where resourceful local community members use smartphones to tweet updates and upload videos to YouTube. It became particularly noticeable during the Arab Spring, the Libyan crisis and in Syria. With smartphone penetration in Africa now at around 17 percent 1 an increasing number of people have more technology in their pocket than most journalists had just a decade ago.

Broadcasters’ audiences are transforming from consumer into quasi-competitor.

In this new world order, broadcast journalists need a flexible, mobile communications infrastructure that allows them to push the boundaries of newsgathering

Broadcast journalists need a flexible, mobile communications infrastructure that allows them to push the oundaries of newsgathering in the field and wrap value around their stories 46 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

in the field and wrap value around their stories.

A mobile satellite-based service, accessed from a backpack-sized mobile satellite terminal, can deliver the high-quality voice and plug and play broadband connectivity with the reliability, at 99.9 per cent network availability, that ensures reporters stay connected at all times, however remote the environment. A crucial feature from the perspective of the journalist is that such a service requires no expert knowledge to set up and use. A reporter can arrive at a location and have a live connection established in just five minutes.

An example of this was Sky News' coverage of the Libyan uprising beamed back via Inmarsat’s BGAN service. Sky News’ special correspondent during the Libyan Crisis, Alex Crawford, was named broadcasting journalist of the year at the 2012 London Press Club Awards in May. Earlier this year, Alex’s compelling, live reports capturing the very moment when opposition forces entered Tripoli were described as "heroic journalism" and won Sky News a Royal Television Society award. Alex described how the Sky News team spotted a convoy heading for the capital from a recently liberated town. The journalist, her producer and two cameramen grabbed their Inmarsat BGAN kit and followed. They became the only news team in the world to transmit live footage of the fighters' triumphant entry into the capital.

"We were live on air via satphone, telling the studio about the scenes of celebration we could see, but it was evident that nobody could quite believe what we were saying," recalled Alex. "So we decided to rig up the BGAN and show them the pictures."

Producer Andy Marsh set up their BGAN terminal from the back of a pick-up truck, which was moving slowly through the gridlocked streets. "We had it attached to the cigarette lighter for power, connected to a laptop, and Andy synched it up with the Inmarsat satellite," said Alex. "He was monitoring the connection, and as we crawled

forward he moved the unit ever so slightly to maintain the link. It was a genius move."

The connection was so reliable that the team were able to broadcast live and uninterrupted coverage for 40 minutes, as Alex answered questions from the studio in London.

As this example demonstrates, backpack broadcasting using mobile satellite networks is already used by broadcasters to deliver high quality, breaking news stories to audiences in real time. But some broadcasters are missing a trick. How many are taking advantage of the greater capabilities enabled by these sophisticated, plug and play IP services to strengthen their reporting of non-breaking news stories?

Using today’s existing communications technology, reporters are in the enviable position of being able to use their personal creativity to enhance and differentiate their stories from those of their competitors.

Reporters can literally extend the newsroom into the field. They can access the latest information and intelligence about a story to mount more sophisticated productions in the field when a story merits it. They can use the service as a communications hub around which more complex outside broadcasts are built - not simply a tool for enabling live and recorded contributions. From one small terminal, reporters can run a teleprompter, manage social media feeds, enable new collaborative workflows that tapeless formats have introduced and create a Wi-Fi cloud that services an entire team.

Leading broadcasters have used BGAN to anchor from the frontline, taking audiences right to the heart of the action and changing location as required. In Libya, presenters led complex coverage, interviewing correspondents around the world as the story unfolded. And all against the backdrop of the story itself. ✆

Martin Turner, Director of Media Business, Inmarsat

Une alliance pour des services par satellite INMARSAT ET CISCO ont annoncé la création d'une alliance unique sur le long terme qui permettra à Inmarsat de proposer des services avancés, depuis les applications jusqu'à la collaboration commerciale et aux vidéos en passant par le contenu multimédia via le nouveau réseau satellite à hauts débit et rendement d'Inmarsat, Global Xpress (GX).

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PROFILE

Plessey

Telecommunications infrastructure is Africa’s new management headache Howard Earley, COO of Plessey, highlights why managing infrastructure ain’t glamorous but someone has to do it

A

LTHOUGH CELLULAR TELEPHONY has grown at an incredible pace in Africa during the past decade, basic telecommunications infrastructure has been minimal – restricted mainly to old copper cable systems and, more recently, 2G base stations. Now, thanks to the installation of the four submarine cables and a global market that is increasingly insisting on unified communications, telcos and operators are building new base station and fibre optical cable infrastructure at an unprecedented rate. And that is creating a massive demand for maintenance services.

For many telcos and operators, the glamorous part of the business of grabbing market share in Africa is the development and delivery of content to end users. Being first to market with a new app or a new pricing model for combined voice and data services is what makes careers and builds brands.

Connectivity and communication are the fabric of modern society. The more so in Africa, where the vast majority of the population is under the age of 19 and has, therefore, never known a world without technology.

Connectivity and communication are the social and commercial oxygen they breathe.

However, forgotten in all the rush to capture

Howard, Earley, COO of Plessey

the Gen Z generation – and all the others - is the seemingly mundane aspect of ensuring that connectivity and communications infrastructure is always available.

Transmission towers and optical fibre cables have to be kept operational regardless of extreme weather conditions, terrorist activity or faction fighting, or, simply, a municipal worker accidentally slicing through a cable.

“Uptime is, in fact, more important than content and pricing simply because, without it, you can’t deliver the content and no-one will pay you for a service that continuously breaks down,” says Howard Earley, COO of Plessey, Africa’s leading provider of turnkey infrastructure services and solutions.

“Many African telcos and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are therefore trying to find affordable ways to manage, maintain, and optimise their infrastructure.”

The management implications of managed services Most established operators have never had to manage the amount and range of infrastructure becoming available on the continent now. And, the managed services offered by their original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) has been sufficient for the limited amount of infrastructure installed.

“However, managed services is not an OEM’s core business,” Earley says. “So, they don’t have the breadth and depth of managed services capabilities to take on today’s massively expanding infrastructure requirements.

“Also, their managed services are focused on their own products and solutions. Most infrastructures are a mix of copper or fibre optical cable, satellite, base transceiver stations, and digital radio relay station technologies.

“Telcos are therefore being confronted with the need not just to manage multiple technologies but also multiple suppliers.

The tactical executive effort involved is detracting from the strategic effort that should be going into content and service development and delivery.

“The simplest option is to outsource the infrastructure management headache to an independent managed services organisation that has the vendor relationships as well as on

the ground, in-country skill and experience to be able to identify an infrastructure problem as it arises, fix it, and get the operator’s network back up in the shortest possible time.”

In fact, as Earley points out, the ability to differentiate oneself on network availability and quality of service starts well before managed services kick in.

“How you build your infrastructure has a direct impact on the amount of maintenance and management needed once you light it up.

Everything from your choice of a base transceiver station site, for instance, to the quality of the civil works, power provision, and security play a role in how robust and sustainable your infrastructure will be.

“Unglamorous as it sounds, the quality of the project management of your infrastructure build is key to your ability to deliver fabulous content and trail-blazing services to your end users.

“Everyone recognises the need for capacity building in Africa. However, it takes specialised skills to make your infrastructure build relevant not just to your immediate but to your evolving content and service delivery strategies.

“Site audits, site evaluation, contractor selection and contract administration, health, safety, and environmental assessments, and quality control can’t be left to novices. That doesn’t mean, however, that your project manager shouldn’t transfer knowledge to local contractors and labourers and build relevant, experienced capacity in that way.

“In other words, effective, appropriate infrastructure management is a continuum, from infrastructure design to equipment and property purchase negotiations – all the way through to the ability of a repair technician to safely climb a tower. Complex as it sounds, it’s actually the shortest route to market leading content and service delivery.” ✆ Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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PROFILE

Comviva

A continuing commitment to leadership in mobile money Mayank Sharma, Vice President, Africa Region, Comviva, details Comviva’s dedication to the mobile financial ecosystem, to the provision of banking and payments solutions for the continent’s business and communities

M

OBILE MONEY SOLUTIONS, advanced support for financial transactions, resolved through telecommunications, enhance lives across Africa already, bearing significant impact on the banking industry througout the continent. And crucially, in a continent with so many underserved individuals and enterprises, mobile banking complements traditional banking practices serving communties and businesses where, for example, an ATM or bank branch are not within reach. According to Comviva, , which specialises in the provision of advanced, cost-effective solutions for mobile value added services (VAS), the total value of mobile money transfers in Africa is estimated to exceed US$200bn by 2015 representing almost eight per cent of Africa's nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Banks use mobile facilities to provide access to services without relying on the traditional brick-and-mortar approach. On the industry side, this two-pronged approach to customer service is addressing many financial pressures associated with costs and fees. With respect to customer, the move into mobile finance is changing consumer’s money management habits.

Moving closer into the industry ‘back-office’ - the machinations of the money brokers - one sees that investment houses can offer clients more choice, with mobile money on the table as a portfolio option.

The mobile telecommunciations industry’s underpinning is reaching maturity,a level of development that is now serving in mobile finance and banking beyond emerging markets - where the impetus has been a poverty of banking infrastructure and service - into the established financial ecosystems of Europe, America and Asia. Africa s mobile money market has led the way.

Making momentum from mobile data to mobile money Comviva is continuing to build on its formidable record in helping the continent’s operators to provide a faster, smoother, personalised and coherent mobile web experience to subscribers. Of particular note is the support provided for the data mnarket in West Africa by Comviva, especially in 48 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

Comviva leverages its leadership in technological support for mobile banking and mobile payments by providing greater access to banking services for underbanked segments, enabling small and medium banks to remain competitive, maximising reach, and boosting the roliferation of mobile financial services among service providers countries such as Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon.

The company’s Mobile Data Platform, for example, as deployed in Congo Brazzavlle, is changing the way mobile Internet services are being offered within the country - most significantly, on the operator side, in delivering dramatic improvements in per user revenue from data. In interview with Communications Africa/Afrique, Mayank Sharma, Vice President, Africa Region, Comviva, affirmed that the company is providing the same extensive levels of support to operators to engage with the continent’s growing financial ecosystem. The opportunity is immense, as Mr Sharma acknowledges - with mobile money services representing an important socio-economic trend in Africa, with “mobile money reaching

the unbanked, transforming the way people live, providing benefits for operators and also for people”.

A further example of Comviva’s commitment to comprehensive support for the continent’s growing payments ecosystem is its recent advance into electronic recharge services in North Africa. The company gains leverage from leadership in the market for electronic top-up operations in Egypt, where its PreTUPS electronic recharge solution is used by over 67mn subscribers out of the total 81.5mn prepaid subscribers in the country, PreTUPS is handles around one billion recharge transactions annually in Egypt. Note, though, that what it does in North Africa, it does equally well across the continent and globally; across Africa, PreTUPS enables affordable recharge for more than 180mn mobile subscribers in 28 markets, on the back of deployment by each of the continent’s major operator groups; furthermore, the PreTUPS platform and suite of applications are deployed in over 56 operator sites across 39 countries around the world, serving over 647mn subscribers, handling more than 18bn recharge transactions annually.

Moving from North to East Africa, one finds that continued commitment to mobile financial services from Comviva, in the provision of its multi-award winning mobiquity mobile financial platform as a hosted model - representing a new approach to the achievement of reduced operational costs, faster time to market and a fully managed mobile financial platform for monetary institutions and network operators to leverage commercial relations with merchants and consumers. ✆

www.comviva.com

Acknowledging a commitment to the financial community THE QUALITY OF Comviva’s provision of moblie money and mobile payment solutions has recently been recognised by Tech Mahindra Limited, India’s sixth largest software exporter, which has acquired a 51 per cent stake in the company. With new investment comes a new brand identity - Mahindra Comviva, - which is set straight on reflecting the combined strength and spirit of all parties to an ever-improving commercial profile, which has already deployed solutions with over 130 service providers and banks in over 90 countries across Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Europe, demonstrably increasing operators’ revenues across VAS services by up to 20 per cent.

S09 CAF 6 2012 Equipment_Layout 1 30/10/2012 11:32 Page 49

EQUIPMENT

SkyVision extends leadership in African communications with Afinis acquisition DORON BEN-SIRA, CEO of SkyVision Global Networks, spoke to Communications Africa/Afrique recently about the company’s recent acquisition of Afinis, an African VSAT operator.

“Afinis West Africa will bring complementary and valuable capabilities to SkyVision, providing immediate benefits to our potential and existing customer base,” Mr Ben-Sira said.

“With the strong influence of Afinis’ local offices, licensing and support abilities, SkyVision will be able to lead these and surrounding markets.”

Afinis is recognised as a leader in the francophone market, where it has built a strong market presence and a deep understanding of corporate market requirements.

Mr Ben-Sira adds that the strategic aim underpinning the acquisition

by SkyVision is to leverage Afinis’ extensive knowledge, particularly in oil & gas, mining and financial services. He notes, also, that the SkyVision has been planning to

move into this area for some time.

Doron Ben-Sira says, “Expanding our local presence in Africa has always been a large part of our company strategy. We specifically searched for a company that complimented SkyVision’s service portfolio and geographical presence.

“Afinis’ strong presence in Africa’s French speaking countries is indeed complementary to SkyVision’s market leading position in Nigeria, East, Central and Southern Africa. This transaction will further reinforce SkyVision’s strategy of developing a continent wide local presence and supports our goal of firmly establishing the company as one of the largest satellite operators in emerging markets. “

Integrating the business for customer service Afinis holds local offices and licensing in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Senegal. now, each of these entities is owned by SkyVision and

will carry the SkyVision brand. The full integration process is expected to be complete before the end of 2012.

Mr Ben-Sira says, “The integration will fully guarantee our customers the superior service they are accustomed to. Once the integration is completed, Afinis former customers will enjoy SkyVision’s full bi-lingual and 24/7 Technical Assistance Centre and our impressive global infrastructure.”

SkyVision has been clear about the ways in which the company will operate in terms of sales and support, and there has been positive response to its plans both from customers and partners.

SkyVision’s CEO is stresses that the company’s customers understand the advantage to having the same local support they are accustomed to, combined with enjoying the advantages to working with a strong global company and brand with endless connectivity capabilities and solutions across Africa.

SkyVision’s commitment to its

Doron Ben-Sira, CEO of SkyVision Global Networks

customers, allied to the growth in market reach afforded by the Afinis acquisition, mean the company’s prospects are good - and Doron Ben Sira acknowledges this, saying, “We see a large demand coming from specific segments that SkyVision targeted - such as oil & gas, mining, financial institutes and the telecommunication segment.

Having said that, although the demand is high, the pressure on pricing is a continuous issue. The need for getting more value for the dollar (expenditure) is crucial in being able to provide our customers better service and higher SLA.”

www.skyvision.net

Enhanced PacketScanWeb enables centralised VoIP monitoring GL COMMUNICATIONS INC. offers an enhanced PacketScanWeb system, for centralised IP and VoIP network monitoring. Of the new enhanced offering, Mr Vijay Kulkarni, CEO of the company, said, “PacketScanWeb is a centralised IP and VoIP network monitoring system. PacketScanWeb server is deployed in a central location along with an Oracle® database. A number of GL's PacketScan probes and/or GL's PacketProbes are deployed in remote locations across the network to passively monitor VoIP traffic.

Whenever a monitored call completes, the scan/probe calculates a variety of quality metrics (MOS, loss, delay, jitter, etc) and sends the metrics to the central Oracle database for storage. This data can then be accessed in real time from anywhere in the world through any standard web browser. In addition to viewing real time data, PacketScanWeb can also custom filter historical data and generate various reports and graphs that summarise overall network health.”

He added, “PacketScan is a powerful software tool that captures and monitors live IP (version 4 and 6), VOIP and IP based Video traffic. It segregates, captures, monitors and collects statistics on VOIP calls:SIP, H323, MEGACO, MGCP, T.38 and video calls. In addition to calculating call quality metrics like MOS, R - Factor and so on, PacketScan also captures signaling information and sends that to the PacketScanWeb database.

PacketProbe is a lightweight Linux based tool that only operates on SIP or raw RTP.” Mr Kulkarni further added, “The key benefits of

PacketScanWeb are its ability to identify and analyze network trends using Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) and automatically alert users when "Calls of Interest" occur. And helps in customised filtering for fraud detection, quality of service monitoring, and protocol error indications and also provide comprehensive analysis from overall network health to detailed protocol monitoring. And also provides a feature for flexible report generation.”

New features for PacketScanWeb Customize Filters: User can filter calls based on parameters such as MOS and R-Factor to learn the voice quality, and also can filter different VOIP calls based on Protocol Type:1 for SIP, 7 for H323 and 3 for RTP and other parameters like Called/Calling Number, Probe, Payload, Duration etc.

Apply single or multiple filters for data analysis; use logical operators between filters Set alarm conditions and generate alerts of different types like email alert, visual alert, audible alert, or even log into tables for future analysis.

Ability to send email alerts on scheduled time based on user - defined alarm conditions.

Ability to customize column views with sorting capabilities for call detail records.

Navigate through records, and filter the collected traffic summary Easy navigation of records to display Previous or Next Hour, Day, Month, Year through navigation tool.

The GL PacketScanWeb system

Reports are displayed both in tabular and graphical formats; customize reports and graphs based on SQL queries.

Graphs provided for Answered calls Vs Failed calls, Call duration, MOS score (conversational and listening), Average Packet Loss, Call Failure Cause (i,e Unknown number, Busy, Unanswered, Client Errors, Server Errors, Global Errors), Session Request Delay (SRD) for successful and unsuccessful calls with an option to switch between Bar or Pie chart.

Ability to filter and view the records in CDR from graphical reports by just clicking on links provided Ability to export generated graphical and tabular reports to PDF file Export the call detail records - Ability to export CDR displayed based on time filter or record index as PDF. Ability to generate consolidated report based on date/time filter viz., hourly, daily, monthly, yearly. www.gl.com

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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EQUIPMENT

Power management for any base station site without reliable grid-power FLEXENCLOSURE’S ESITE SOLUTION - a single cabinet fully-integrated energy system developed for powering both on- and off-grid base stations - is capable of delivering up to 90 per cent diesel and operating expenses savings at telecom sites. A new single cabinet energy system, eSite has been developed for powering any base station site without reliable power.

Available in three versions – eSite Core, eSite Solar and eSite Aero – it is highly flexible and thus suitable for both new sites and upgrades in all potential site conditions.

The foundational product in the new eSite portfolio, eSite Core, extends the application of eSite for unreliable grid sites using batteries for energy storage and power from the grid and/or genset.

“Flexenclosure has already provided the most efficient solution for powering off-grid base stations with renewable energy,” said David King, CEO, Flexenclosure. “The new eSite Core delivers significantly more savings than other currently available systems, together with reliability that will give mobile network operators complete peace of mind.” www.flexenclosure.com

Broadcasting with BGAN INMARSAT IS CONSCIOUS of the pressure on broadcasters’ budgets and so there are highly affordable solutions available to minimise cost and maximise value for money. A live video contribution via BGAN need not be expensive – and it can provide the element that differentiates coverage from the competition. Moving into 2013 and beyond, new technological advances will provide news journalists in the field with even greater capabilities. One opportunity for pushing the boundaries around broadcasting while on the move is cellular bonding which Inmarsat demonstrated with its partner 2connect-IT at IBC 2012. The demonstration featured a BMW motorbike that combined a BGAN terminal and a 3G modem and would switch seamlessly between the two types of communication as required. This hybrid ‘broadcast-on-themove’ concept could be used for radio commentary during an at-speed event such as the Big Five Marathon in South Africa, for example.

The availability of an even higher BGAN IP streaming rate service via backpack-sized terminals in 2013 will improve video encoding and will transform the quality of live video from the field and connectivity for those working there, without compromising on portability. Nextgeneration video encoding at these new streaming speeds will achieve at least a 50 per cent improvement over today’s H.264 Advanced Video Coding. Launching by the end of 2013 and fully available globally by the close of 2014, Inmarsat’s Ka Band services, known as Global Xpress, will offer journalists unprecedented bandwidth and speed. These solutions will meet the media’s requirements to send video in high definition and Inmarsat will be the only business able to offer the combination of L band and Ka Band to provide a seamless set of solutions to the industry.

www.inmarsat.com

FirstBank introduces mobile money service to enhance financial access DETERMINED TO ENSURE that the vast majority of the unbanked and the underbanked Nigerians enjoy superior financial services, First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FirstBank), has introduced a mobile money service, FirstMonie, in a move that is seen as a major push for local money transfer services.

With the launch of this service, the stage is now set for the bank’s customers and anyone in Nigeria with a mobile phone to enjoy financial services, using their mobile phones to send money, pay bills, top up their phone airtime, do shopping, deposit and withdraw cash, without the need to visit a bank branch. The operating platform for the FirstMonie service is powered by Fundamo, a Visa company. In 2002, Fundamo launched the world’s first mobile financial service in emerging markets with Celpay in Zambia.

FirstBank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bisi Onasanya, said, “FirstMonie services have been created with three principles in mind. The first is defined by how consumers receive money to fund their unique lifestyles; how consumers spend money for their unique lifestyle needs; and thirdly, the ability of the consumer to be informed and in control of their money.

“With almost 700 branches and business correspondent outlets strategically located across the country, about 1,900 ATMs - cash deposit, cardless and biometric, over six million active accounts and over 18,000 point of sale terminals, FirstBank offers the best and the most effective

50 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

At the launch of FirstMonie in September 2012 - LR: Austin Okere-Group, Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group; U K Eke, Executive Director, Public Sector South, FirstBank; V Sankar Naraynan, Executive Director, Inlaks Computers Ltd

mobile money platform in Nigeria. We are already recruiting agents across the country to meet the needs of our consumers.”

Beyond mobile money services, FirstBank has in place a world-class IT and electronic payment infrastructure to deliver unparallelled financial transaction experience to its discerning customers.

These include automated teller machines (ATMs); point of sale (POS) terminals; FirstOnline - the bank’s Internet banking; and a bespoke card portfolio comprising of debit, credit and prepaid card variants issued on the brands of Visa, MasterCard, Verve and other solutions.

Onasanya added that the Cashless Nigeria initiative,

introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which commenced in Lagos in January 2012, is a significant step towards reducing cash-based transactions and driving the provision and adoption of electronic financial services.

“However, it is important to point out that even before the new CBN policy came on stream, we had taken some proactive measures by rolling out various e-transaction services and products of our own. For instance, our online-real time banking services have been in place for almost two decades, in addition to massive deployment of alternative delivery channels, such as POS, ATM, and Internet banking. We were able to recognise on time that in the increasingly dynamic and sophisticated business environment, the future of banking will be e-driven,” Onasanya added.

“The launch of FirstMonie is a great example of how consumers benefit when financial institutions and mobile operators form partnerships. Thanks to services like FirstMonie, we see significant growth opportunities in mobile financial services in Nigeria in the coming year. Only 30 per cent of the country’s 160 million people have access to formal financial services while there are more than 93mn mobile phone subscriptions, the most in Africa.

These factors have created an unprecedented opportunity for mobile financial services to act as an agent of positive and fundamental social, economic and technological change,” said Hannes van Rensburg, CEO of Fundamo.

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Alcatel-Lucent, a strong team across Africa, bringing broadband to the people

A

LCATEL-LUCENT has a strong presence in Africa connected to its global organisation. Leveraging central support and ensuring best practices, the company has a strong team on the ground in most of Africa’s countries - dedicated teams with local knowledge and global expertise. They are working with its customers to develop and introduce new technologies and solutions, to ensure growth and capture their business opportunities - with the ultimate goal of bringing broadband to the people in Africa.

Alcatel-Lucent is present in most of the African continent. The company has its regional headquarters for Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa - led by Daniel Jaeger, Vice-President Alcatel-Lucent Africa.

Serving local businesses with specialised support Alcatel-Lucent’s advanced solutions are supported locally by experienced services teams, distributed in the company’s hubs across the African continent. These experts are specialised in a wide array of technologies for both fixed and mobile communications - including and not limited to: 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, Optics and IP, broadband access, VoIP, applications and managed and professional services - as well as enterprise solutions that deliver a competitive edge to businesses of all sizes.

Moreover, the company is a global leader in submarine networks, with many successful projects implemented around Africa over the last years.

Alcatel-Lucent is home to Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost research centres, responsible for breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry. Alcatel-Lucent was named in MIT Technology Review's 2012 Top 50 list of the ‘World's Most Innovative Companies’ for breakthroughs such as lightRadio™, which cuts power consumption and operating costs on wireless networks while delivering lightning-fast Internet access. Through

such innovations, Alcatel-Lucent is making communications more sustainable, more affordable and more accessible as the company pursues its mission: ‘Realising the Potential of a Connected World’.

Enabling network expansion for superfast broadband services This year, Alcatel-Lucent has been selected

by Telkom SA, one of the largest integrated communications companies in Africa, to supply network equipment to enable the operator to dramatically expand delivery of superfast broadband services across South Africa. Also, in June 2012, Alcatel-Lucent announced that it has been providing 4G LTE network technology to deliver lightning-fast mobile broadband services in Tanzania for African telecommunications operator Smile Telecom Holdings Ltd (Smile) - Africa’s first 4G LTE network in the 800 MHz frequency band - to deliver services such as video conferencing and multi-user Internet gaming in Dar es Salaam - and to support ongoing plans plans for expansion.

Technology for telecommunication links in Ghana’s government In September 2012, Alcatel-Lucent and NITA the information and communications technology (ICT) policy arm of Ghana’s Ministry of Communications – announced that they are to dramatically

expand communication links between central and regional administration offices in support of ‘e-Ghana’, a national initiative to develop local IT services and improve the transparency and efficiency of government functions.

Supersector leadership Recently, Alcatel-Lucent also announced that the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) ranked Alcatel-Lucent as Technology Supersector Leader with a score of 87/100.

This is the second year in a row that the company has been recognised in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2011, AlcatelLucent was named Leader of the CMT Communications Technology Sector, included in the Technology Supersector.

Alcatel-Lucent at AfricaCom Alcatel-Lucent will have a strong presence into the 15th edition of AfricaCom on November 13-15 in Cape town,SA – This is the biggest ICT conference in the continent. The company will be one of the sponsors, and will have a comprehensive agenda of high level executive speakers and experts on site. Stay tuned, and see you in November in Cape Town!

For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent at: www.alcatel-lucent.com; or contact Regional Communications by e-mail: sherine.aziez@alcatel-lucent.com

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EQUIPMENT

SkyVision and Africom’s VPN VSAT service enables bank to extend its services into rural Zimbabwe A ZIMBABWEAN BANK required a reliable connectivity solution to interconnect its rurally located branches with its main data centre in Harare. The bank selected Africom/SkyVision's VSAT-based VPN to enable it to extend its reach to the rural population of Zimbabwe and open branches in those areas.

Via SkyVision's VPN service, the bank will provide the Zimbabwe's rural community with reliable, high quality connectivity that fully supports the T24 Core Banking System (CBS), e-mail, Internet and POS in addition to full ATM connectivity.

High performance, total reliability The bank’s Information & Communications Technology Executive, when taking about the recent deployment, said, “SkyVision’s VPN over VSAT service connection is superior to other access solutions as the uptime is particularly high.”

SkyVision's VPN over VSAT service eliminated offline branch problems in even the remotest of locations and guarantees excellent banking services.

SkyVision VPN offers a customised satellite-based Virtual Private Network, completely managed by SkyVision. SkyVision VPN allows organisations to connect their WAN sites, sharing information by means of voice and data applications, with no investment in additional infrastructure.

SkyVision’s connectivity solution employs a single common VSAT-based network to provide the organisation with high quality network performance and reliability. In addition, the advanced technology behind SkyVision’s solution offers significantly increased flexibility and enables management control across geographic boundaries.

http://skyvision.net

Telesis Tazania and Alcatel-Lucent launch 4G LTE mobile broadband service ALCATEL-LUCENT IS ENABLING Telesis Tanzania to offer affordable 4G LTE services by providing mobile broadband technology, potentially stimulating economic growth as well as business and cultural life in the ountry. Telesis operates as a mobile virtual network aggregator (MVNA), supporting services for mobile virtual network operators (MVNO), which serve their customers using Telesis’ infrastructure. Telesis Tanzania is focused on developing individual, tailored, and cost-effective solutions for its MVNO partners by offering technology infrastructure, commercial and distribution capabilities, enhanced commercial and operational support and managed services.

To support these efforts, Alcatel-Lucent will provide Telesis with its 4G LTE mobile broadband solution. Affordable nationwide broadband connectivity will act as a catalyst for the development of a digitalbased economy by increasing information and communications technology (ICT) literacy, supporting national initiatives aimed at socio-economic development and increasing demand for investment in complementary infrastructure and industries. The mobile broadband network will be launched using the digital dividend spectrum available for Long Term Evolution (LTE) services. The LTE network offers speeds exceeding 100 megabits per second (Mbps) which is particularly effective when transferring the large amounts of data needed to support bandwidth-intensive services. LTE is expected to revolutionise the use of technology with regards to mobile consumer, healthcare, transportation, energy, security, agriculture, sales and payments industries and infrastructure, to name a few. The network will act as a backbone for these initiatives by providing service resilience and continuity.

Samsung plays the market with its second Note DIGITAL MEDIA AND digital convergence technologies firm Samsung Electronics has launched the new Galaxy Note II phone and a Samsung Galaxy Camera at the recently-held Galaxy Note II World Tour in Cape Town, South Africa.

“Last year we launched the Galaxy Note, which opened a new category of smart mobile devices. Within 9 months we had 10mn users worldwide and based on the market insight that we have we believe that the new galaxy Note II, will do even better. This year, again, I am proud to announce the Galaxy Note II, which will encourage users to 'unleash their inner creativity,” said George Ferreira, VP and COO of Samsung Electronics Africa.

A multi-tasking experience for the growing African market It is estimated that there are about 450mn mobile phone users in Africa which makes it the biggest and fastest growing mobile market in the world. About 50 per cent of cell phone users in Africa access internet through their cell phones. As a results, smart phones are outselling computers. From August 2011August 2012, Samsung sold 41 per cent of smart phone units in Nigeria and 31% in South Africa.

The new Galaxy Note II has sold over 10mn devices since its launch. The new phone features a 5.5” (140.9mm) HD Super AMOLED

52 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

screen with perfect HD visuals and has a 3,100mAh battery. With the new and improved S pen, users can personalise photos by leaving handwritten photo notes that can be shared in jpg format. Users can launch multiple windows on one screen without closing applications, for a complete multitasking experience. In addition, the device’s new gesture pad feature, called Quick Command, allows users to quickly activate frequently used apps with the S Pen. The phone is built to enable personalised

content creation, sharing and multitasking capabilities. The Galaxy Note II is powered by Android 4.1, Jelly Bean and comes with an 8 Megapixel camera with HD video recording ability. The camera has the ‘Best Photo’ application that allows the phone to select the best picture capture. The Samsung phone is available in marble white or titanium grey colour options.

The Galaxy Camera, that Samsung also launched, has a 21x super long zoom lens and a super-bright 16M BSI CMOS sensor for brilliant quality. The Galaxy camera has a ‘Smart Pro’ feature. This application makes it easy to customise and recreate professionallooking photographs by choosing from a number of background images. The camera comes with a large and vivid camera display, a 121.2mm HD Super Clear LCD screen.

“The Galaxy camera opens a new visual communication era and shifts a paradigm in communication. With the growth of social networking and the prevalence of smartphones and tablets, people today communicate faster than words,” said Ferreira.

“As we increasingly articulate our experiences through pictures and videos the Galaxy Camera has been created to lead the way in this new era of visual communication.”

Zimkhitha Sulelo

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PROFILE

Professional radio products for governments, businesses and control centres FROM THE 27TH to the 29th of November 2012, when over 2,900 decisionmakers from governments, businesses and control centres meet at the PMRExpo in Cologne, Imtradex GmbH are represented with a stand. With Aurelis Nexus PTT, Aurelis Bluetooth and OnGuard IV there are many new product highlights from the specialist for communication systems at the exhibition. "We provide the visitors at the PMRExpo a comprehensive insight into our specially tailored solutions to the needs of governments, businesses and dispatchers communications," explained Ralf Kudernak, Managing Director of Imtradex Hör/Sprechsysteme GmbH. The presentation includes the Aurelis Nexus PTT, the new innovative, ultra-lightweight handheld microphone from Imtradex. It is in terms of digital communications, security and flexibility of the newest standards and is designed specifically for the fire brigade. Thanks to its extra-large PTT of aluminum, the short tracing path and the precisely defined pressure operation, the use with gloves is possible. In addition to the PTT button and the high-quality speakers, the 180 grams light Aurelis Nexus PTT – depending on the version – include an emergency button, a three-level volume control and a two-color LED. In addition the splash-proof hand microphone has a Nexus socket which

The Aurelis Nexus PTT, from Imtradex

provides the connection for further accessories, and also provides an automatic switch to headset.

The Aurelis Nexus PTT is compatible with analogue and digital radios.

Particularly practicable is the new Aurelis Bluetooth, which is presented as a further highlight on Imtradex stand. The new model can be connected wireless to radio or mobile phone - without loss of

speak quality - via the implemented Bluetooth interface. The microphone can, in its latest version, be operated across all devices of standard Bluetoothenabled mobile phones and digital radios. Depending on the digital radio the further integration of various data applications is possible.

www.imtradex.com

Communications Africa Issue 6 2012

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ÉQUIPEMENT

Les possibilités d'investigation avec un logiciel mobile médico-légal CELLEBRITE, UN FOURNISSEUR des solutions médico-légales mobiles, a annoncé le lancement de plusieurs avancées pour la gamme de dispositifs universels médico-légaux d'extraction (UFED) de la société, à la pointe de son secteur.

Les développements technologiques de Cellebrite permettent aux utilisateurs d'élargir leurs possibilités médico-légales mobiles, avec une version actualisée de l'analyseur physique UFED, l'outil médico-légal mobile le plus puissant du marché. Sa dernière version, l'analyseur physique 3.0 UFED, permet un éventail de fonctions avancées, parmi lesquelles figurent : • Sculpture d'image : permet la restauration d'images supprimées et de fragments même lorsque seules quelques parties sont disponibles.

• Chronologie : permet aux utilisateurs de visualiser tous les évènements dans l'ordre chronologique en une seule fois.

• Liste de surveillance : permet aux utilisateurs de mettre en évidence des informations sur la base de listes de valeurs prédéfinies.

L'analyseur physique 3.0 propose également une interface utilisateur améliorée qui permet un travail d'analyse plus efficace. Les utilisateurs peuvent désormais fournir moins de travail et obtenir plus d'informations, y compris des images de contact, et même lorsque certaines données dans une entrée ont été supprimées.

Cette nouvelle version permet également l'extraction physique et le décodage depuis tous les dispositifs Android, qu'ils soient dotés des droits utilisateurs ou non. Ceci signifie que Cellebrite soutient maintenant exclusivement les principales marques d'appareils Android du secteur de la téléphonie mobile, Samsung et Motorola : la famille Galaxy SII, le Galaxy Note, le Milestone, le Droid et le Defy.

Enfin, cette version inclut le lancement du lecteur UFED, un nouvel outil qui permet aux utilisateurs de partager les résultats d'extraction et d'analyse avec

«En relevant les défis technologiques posés par les dispositifs mobiles les plus avancés du secteur, nous avons une fois encore tenu notre promesse de fournir constamment aux enquêteurs judiciaires des fonctionnalités toujours plus élaborées.» - Ron Serber, coprésident directeur général de Cellebrite toute personne autorisée, même si elle ne détient pas de licence UFED. Cette fonction autorise un meilleur partage de données et une meilleure collaboration entre les enquêteurs, les procureurs, les superviseurs et toute autre personne devant avoir accès aux données de l'affaire. Parmi les fonctionnalités du lecteur UFED figurent la création et la personnalisation de rapports, des possibilités de recherche avancée, la gestion de signets, et bien plus encore. « Nous sommes fermement convaincus qu'il nous faut offrir à nos clients les solutions les plus actuelles du marché, et c'est pourquoi voici notre quatrième version du logiciel UFED cette année, » a déclaré Ron Serber, coprésident directeur général de Cellebrite. « En relevant les défis technologiques posés par les dispositifs mobiles les plus avancés du secteur, nous avons une fois encore tenu notre promesse de fournir constamment aux enquêteurs judiciaires des fonctionnalités toujours plus élaborées. »

www.cellebrite.com

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caable iss a 17,000 17,0 7,000 The Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) optical fiber submarinee cable ou triess fr om kilometre long high bandwidth system that will connectt 21 ccountries from France to South Africa.

ACE will be operational Q4 2012 Will connect 21 territories, including 18 African countries

France e France

7 countries in Africa will be served for the first time by a high bandwidth international cable system

Portugal Portugal

ACE connectivity will be extended to landlocked countries : Mali and Niger

Canaar a y Islands Islands l d Canary

Senegal Gambia

M Mali Mau uritaania Mauritania

N Niger

Guin G u nea uin ne Guinea

Benin G Ghana Gh haan h naa Benin Nige igeriaa Nigeria LLiberia Li iberiiaa Caamerroon C Cameroon Sierra Leone Equatorial Guinea Equa q tor qu o ial G uinea Côte d’Ivoire Gabon n Gabon Sao Tome & Principe Democratic D em mocraticc Will secure and diversify the international Republic R epublic of Congo Con ngo broadband traffic routing gola ola Ang Angola

Will provide seamless interconnection with existing high bandwidth cable systems connecting Europe, Asia, North and South America Designed to provide 5,12 Tbps , will benefit from state-of-the-art submarine technology

Namibia Namibia

South Africa South

ACE, with its large bandwidth and high quality transmission technology, will support the present and future growth in telecommunications traffic between Africa and the rest of the world, reduce digital divide and drive economic and social growth.

Contact : Mr. Lamin Camara - Tel : +220 9974077 - Email : mlcamara@moici.gov.gm

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