DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 northern african Volume 13 Number 6

Forwireless comms professionals in north, west, east & central Africa COMMUNICATIONS

l The latest satellites for Africa and what they offer l Why open architecture is best for critical communications l Should you invest in used network equipment?

NAWC 1501 p1 (Cover) AM RN.indd 1 05/02/2015 16:59 NAWC 1501 p2 (CSG) .indd 1 05/02/2015 18:09 wirelessnorthern african CONTENTS COMMUNICATIONS

DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 northern african Volume 13 5 News review Number 6 DECEMBER 2014/

Forwireless comms professionals in north, west, east & central Africa COMMUNICATIONS JANUARY 2015 > Hytera overhauls Nigeria’s TETRA system l The latest satellites for Africa and what they offer > Safaricom introduces LTE-A in Kenya l Why open architecture is best for critical communications l Should you invest in used network equipment? Volume 13 > Ooredoo – fastest network in North Africa? Number 6 > MEASAT boosts satellite spectral efficiency > iSAT helps Es’hailSat commercialise Ka-band 5 News > Ghana launches TV white spaces service > One “virtual” position for satellite broadcasts NAWC 1501 p1 (Cover) AM RN.indd 1 05/02/2015 16:59 11 News focus > Etisalat geolocates in Egypt with JDSU Since 2007, Acsys has deployed its 11 News focus solutions with great success in Africa and > How ICT is helping the fight against Ebola in a very short period of time, has become the market leader for securing remote sites 13 Wireless business for the telecom and tower industry. > Massive funding for IHS’ tower expansion

Our motto is to “Reduce downtime, 16 Wireless solutions Stop unauthorized access, Control users > Nokia Networks launches OSS-as-a-Service in real-time and Eliminate theft” on all remote sites. With tens of thousands of Features: sites already deployed in all types of harsh climatic and social conditions, we 18 Satcoms 18 Satcoms have today unprecedented experience > RAHIEL NASIR begins the countdown to in the field. this year’s key satellite launches.

Our solutions are focused on site security 23 Buying used hardware and workforce management giving the > The secondary user equipment market is an system administrators the possibility to option worth considering, says TOM PARKER. control “Who goes where, why, when, 27 Industry view for how long & in Real-Time”. All of this 23 Used hardware > Open architecture is crucial for critical is achieved through our patented battery- communications, says ALLAN DETLEFSEN. free padlocks and electronic keypad keys 34 World news remotely controlled by SMS using a single-usage random code, which is 30 World news generated automatically by the software. > SES plans hybrid satellite for Asia All problems related to access control, key > Getrak and Wyless partner for Brazil M2M management, copied/lost/un-returned > Super speed from Indosat in Indonesia keys are completely solved. > Orange to provide connectivity for Tesla cars

www.acsys.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: of control can purchase an annual [email protected] Northern African Wireless Communications is subscription at the cost of £110. a controlled circulation bi-monthly magazine. For more information and general enquiries Register now for your free subscription at please contact Suzanne Thomas at Turn to page 12 www.kadiumpublishing.com [email protected] to find out more about Acsys Readers who do not qualify under the terms or call +44 (0) 1932 886 537.

EDITORIAL: ADVERTISEMENT SALES: Editorial director: Rahiel Nasir Sales apprentice: Laura Cooley Staff writer: Abdul Montaqim [email protected] Designer: Alan McClenaghan Contributors: Allan Detlefsen Production & circulation: Tom Parker Production: Suzanne Thomas [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1932 886537 Editorial enquiries: Fax: +44 (0) 1932 886539 Tel: +44 (0) 1932 886537 Fax: +44 (0) 1932 886539 Publishing director: Kathy Moynihan [email protected] +44 (0) 1932 886537

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Hytera delivers nationwide TETRA system in Nigeria Briscoe Technologies will replace But the company faced a and expand its TETRA network challenge in replacing its existing in Nigeria with the help of PMR systems without causing disruption specialist Hytera Communications. to customers. It also had to ensure Lagos-based Briscoe is the owner that any new infrastructure offered and operator of Nigeria’s biggest compatibility and flexible network TETRA network. With more topology to satisfy different industry than 10,000 users from multiple requirements. industries, it covers Lagos, Abuja Hytera’s complete TETRA and Port Harcourt, and is claimed to solution for Briscoe includes 30 be the first network in Africa to be base stations and 2,500 of its PCS based on all-IP TETRA technology. terminals with system control, With the need for broader dispatch, and PABX service. Hytera’s PMR experts are working with Briscoe Technologies which owns and coverage in areas such as Port As part of the first phase, 15 base operates Nigeria’s biggest TETRA network and has more than 10,000 users. Harcourt and Rivers State, stations have already been deliv- plus increasing demands for ered. They are being used to replace will be extended to most of the Hytera is also providing Briscoe higher security and stability, the existing network and extend Niger Delta region as well as in the professional services including net- Briscoe needed a new exclusive coverage to parts of the Niger Delta Abuja Federal Capital Territory. All work topology design, site selection, communication system based on a where the oil and gas industry is sites are expected be completed and commissioning of network, training, customised design. located. During phase two, coverage operational by mid-2015. and local technical support. RedCloud platform helps launch Sudan’s first MFS RedCloud Technology has provided Hassa (which means ‘now’) was bills, carry out bank transfers, and Sudan’s adult population is currently the platform behind Hassa, Sudan’s launched last August by the Bank buy mobile airtime. Additionally, served by financial services, while first mobile financial service (MFS). of Khartoum (BoK) in conjunction customers will be able to use Hassa mobile penetration is 75 per cent. The UK-based firm – which with mobile operator Zain. It’s been shops or BoK ATMs to deposit cash He adds: “Hassa will provide easy, claims to be renowned for developing designed to enable customers to and make withdrawals directly from instant and convenient access to M-PESA – says its ICENI platform easily access mobile financial services their mobile accounts. RedCloud financial services through any mobile is a customisable solution for such as fund transfers, cash in/out says that more than1,000 Hassa phone and improve lives.” m-commerce, allowing financial transactions, and account tracking. agents are already supporting the Established in 1913, the Bank institutions to deliver MFS at a Over the last few months, Hassa service across the country. of Khartoum is Sudan’s oldest and “fraction of the cost” of operating a has been upgraded and will now According to BoK CEO Fadi largest Islamic bank, and operates 55 traditional branch network. also allow subscribers to pay utility Salim Al Faqih, only 15 per cent of branches across the country. Safaricom introduces LTE-Advanced network in Kenya Safaricom has notched up another Flexi Multiradio 10 base station. The operator adds that it plans first for Kenya with the launch of an Nokia has also implemented its to launch “affordable” 4G-enabled LTE-A network. It is initially rolling subscriber data management devices, including phones, routers out 4G services in Nairobi and system, cloud-ready NetAct OSS and modems. A sub-KES9,000 Mombasa before launching in major platform, and is providing planning, (USD98) handset is expected to be towns over the coming months. optimisation, and competence launched early this year. Safaricom’s LTE-A network was services, amongst others. Safaricom currently has more than launched in December 2014 and aims Safaricom’s core LTE-A network uses Safaricom’s LTE-A launch is part 21 million subscribers and says it’s to offer peak speeds of up to 100Mbps. Nokia’s Flexi Multiradio 10 base of its push to “democratise data”, invested KES27.78bn (USD303m) in Carrier aggregation is a key feature station for 2G, 3G and 4G services. according to CEO Bob Collymore. infrastructure over the last year. of LTE-A. This enables operators to “The direct impact of data on our Its network features more than 3,200 create larger, virtual carrier bandwidths It has contracted Nokia Networks economy has already been noted BSTs, nearly half of which are 3G- for services by combining separate for a variety of products and services through the increasing number enabled, and provides 3G coverage to spectrum bands, thus boosting network for the deployment. The vendor has of businesses and services offered more than half of the population, and capacity, speed and performance. modernised Safaricom’s network online,” he says. “With 4G, we can 2G coverage to 90 per cent. Safaricom is using 800MHz as its using its ATCA-based Liquid Core deliver revolutionary services like tele- In 2003, the operator became the main frequency band with 900MHz portfolio for MSS and EPC, and medicine, virtualisation, or real-time first in Kenya to introduce mobile and/or 1800MHz (depending on use deployed a compact Single RAN video that have immediate and trans- data services on a 2G network, and and capacity) as the aggregation bands. Advanced platform based on the formational impact on our society.” the first to launch 3G in 2008.

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Ooredoo Algeria claims fastest networks in North Africa

Ooredoo says its 3G network in Ouzou, Mascara and Naama, and is and is based on the vendor’s DWDM Algeria has been ranked as the fastest currently being extended to include optical technology and platform. It in North Africa in 2014 by the official 32 provinces covering 80 per cent of will support data speeds of 400Gbps Network Quality Benchmark. Algeria’s population. on each of its 88 wavelengths. It adds that it has also become one Ooredoo Algeria says it has Ooredoo Algeria CEO Joseph of the first operators in the world invested more than USD2bn in its Ged says: “Our 400G network will Ooredoo Algeria is simplifying the to achieve network throughput of network enhancement programme be instrumental to support the best process for accessing 3G services so 63Mbps, and is the first in Africa For instance, early last December QoE for our customers as well as to that everyone can enjoy mobile data, to deploy a 400G ultra-broadband it announced that Alcatel-Lucent had increase our market share in Algeria. according to CEO Joseph Ged. mobile access network. deployed a 400G optical backbone “Through this game-changing The operator claims 3.5 million network to enable high-speed ultra achievement we intend to consolidate Ooredoo Algeria was formerly customers have now signed up for its broadband mobile access in Algiers, our technology leadership within the branded as Nedjma. It is a subsidiary 3G service since it was launched in Constantine, Oran, and some smaller Maghreb region, and also in Algeria, in of Qatar’s Ooredoo Group and is said December 2013. The network is now cities. The transport network became order to offer our clients a best-in-class to currently offer services to more available in 19 provinces such as Tizi fully operational at the end of 2014 network in terms of capacity and speed.” than 11.45 million subscribers. Looking after the welfare MEASAT increases spectral of NGOs via satellite efficiency on Africasat-1a

Globecomm and Gannexion are Working together, the two partners Customers on Africasat-1a will be able MEASAT adds that the key providing ‘e-welfare’ services in Mali, are providing network services, round to benefit from additional cost savings application areas that will benefit are delivering communications and morale the clock monitoring, and onsite staff following the successful test of multiplexed IP trunking and voice support for personnel at remote sites. at each camp to support operations 64APSK modulation on the satellite’s backhaul for mobile operators, and Each site features a satellite dish, and provide maintenance. high-powered pan-African beam. point-to-point IP transit for ISPs. Wi-Fi and GSM antennas for local The Mali installation expands The tests were conducted using NovelSat claims its technologies delivery of radio, television, voice on a network of facilities served by NovelSat’s NS3000 high data rate deliver the “fastest” data rates and and data services. They are also the two companies in Afghanistan, satellite modem running its NS3 the most “scalable” transmission equipped with video-conferencing Turkey and other EMEA nations. transmission technology. solutions from 64Kbps to 850Mbps facilities to allow users to interact “Together with Globecomm, we According to MEASAT, Africa- on a single modem. with family and friends. plan to continue the provisioning sat-1a’s Malaysia-based owner, all this NS3 is built around its Satellite The e-welfare services are provid- of innovative and custom-made increased spectral efficiency levels by Modem Operating System, a unified sat- ed via satellite using Globecomm’s services especially for governmental between 20 and 50 per cent. It says that coms platform designed to ensure op- UK and Netherlands teleports, and organisations where security and increased spectral efficiency enables timal interoperability, throughput and Gannexion’s customised wireless reliability is imperative,” says more bits per Hertz leading to higher scalability. It also offers software-up- communications solutions. Gannexion director Joost de Jong. bandwidth and reduced costs. gradable features and waveforms. iSAT helps Es’hailSat to commercialise Ka-band payload iSAT has delivered and installed two operators and their customers. It 1.2m VSAT terminal designed to pilot VSAT terminals for Es’hailSat to says that while the HDFSS Ka-band work with Es’hail 1’s ‘Mission 4’ Ka- enable the commercialisation of the Ka- market has a variety of suppliers, the band transponders, and a second one band payloads on its Es’hail 1 satellite. frequency area below 29.5GHz is that can be used as an uplink for Es’hail 1 was developed by Qatari where its expertise lies. Es’hailSat is customers using its ‘Mission 3’ Ka- satellite company Es’hailSat and the first operator to use this spectrum. band transponders. Eutelsat. It was launched in 2013 iSAT’s development of Es’hailSat’s iSAT claims the deployment of to provide services in North Africa, equipment involved designing, its specialised equipment will enable the Middle East and Central Asia, integrating and testing feeds specific Es’hailSat to offer “superior coverage and gives both companies Ka- iSAT’s integration of equipment for to its satellite’s multi-mission and secure connectivity” for business band capabilities for new business Es’hailSat also involved sourcing other Ka-band frequencies with existing and government users across the opportunities (see News, Aug-Sep 2013). VSAT system components such as reflectors. iSAT says this ensured entire MENA region. It will support UK-based iSat (Integrated Satellite BUCs, LNBs, OMTs, and TRFs. that performance complied to applications such as broadband Applications Technologies) specialises international standards for antenna access, enterprise networks, in the custom design, manufacture stations and VSATs to optimise side lobe and cross-polar patterns. backhauling and other services, using and installation of satellite Earth the use of bandwidth for satellite The firm supplied and installed a small fixed or mobile antennas.

6 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS December 2014/January 2015

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Spectra Wireless launches Africa’s first TV white spaces services Spectra Wireless and Microsoft have of a student population in Koforidua Spectra Wireless is the launched what’s claimed to be Africa’s of 8,500, so the interest level already Ghanaian subsidiary of first commercial service pilot network has been high,” says Spectra Wireless wireless access service utilising TV white spaces (TVWS). country leader Sam Darko. provider SpectraLink djungleEd is initially available at the As part of the djungleEd service stu- Wireless. It is using Koforidua Polytechnic in Ghana’s dents will be able to: purchase high speed unlicensed spectrum to Eastern region, and covers the cam- internet bundles from GHD2 (USD0.61) build wide area broad- pus and surrounding student hostels. per day; use apps such as the Microsoft band networks across Spectra has used 6Harmonics’ GWS Virtual Academy and Microsoft Office the continent, and has a TVWS radios to connect the buildings, 365; and apply for zero-interest loans in primary focus on West and a total of 17 links will be deployed partnership with UT Bank to purchase and Central Africa. to support the polytechnic’s sites. The selected internet-enabled devices from The launch of Spectra operator is also using Meraki’s cloud- Dell, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft. Wireless’ service in Ghana follows Spectra’s djungleEd service will enable based Wi-Fi APs for the client access. Spectra adds that there are plans to the success of a TVWS pilot scheme university students to apply for zero- “We have over 5,800 unique client expand the service in the future but that it launched last May in collabora- interest financing to buy selected devices registered on our network, out has yet to announce further details. tion with Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative. internet-enabled devices. Satellite broadcasts from Liquid Telecom to extend one “virtual” position fibre in Kenya and Uganda

Eutelsat Communications and channels are transmitted by their two Liquid Telecom will expand its fibre Liquid Telecom provides data, voice Spacecom have agreed to team up satellites, across a footprint covering networks in Uganda and Kenya using and IP networks in Eastern, Central to expand digital broadcast services approximately 30 million TV homes, technologies from Alcatel-Lucent. and Southern Africa. It uses multiple at what they describe as Africa’s mainly in Francophone Africa but Liquid says the upgrades will technologies, supplying fibre, satellite “leading” video neighbourhood. extending to Ghana and Nigeria. enable it to add much-needed and global carrier services to the The two firms have established a EUTELSAT 16A and AMOS-5 were capacity to meet demand for continent’s major mobile operators, framework for cross-commercialisa- launched in 2011 and their Ku-band broadband services from home and ISPs, financial institutions, as well as tion of Ku-band capacity connected African payloads offer identical small office users as well as address to businesses of all sizes. to the high-power African service footprints over Africa. The two firms new markets and opportunities. The company adds that it’s built areas of EUTELSAT 16A at 16°E have pledged to improve the quality Alcatel-Lucent is providing its 7360 what’s claimed to be Africa’s largest and Spacecom’s AMOS-5 at 17°E. and effectiveness of broadcasting ISAM FX and 5520 Access Management single fibre network. This currently Eutelsat and Spacecom say the services, and expand the channel line- System to support GPON-enabled spans more than 18,000km and runs 16º-17ºE slot is one of the fastest- up from their FTTH. It will also supply its IP from the north of Uganda to Cape growing broadcast markets, with a one virtual transport product range, including Town (see News, Jun-Jul 2014). The strong DTH and free-to-air video position. the 1626 LM to support DWDM. network also provides connectivity neighbourhood in West Africa. They Upcoming The DWDM enhancements will to the five main subsea cable systems claim that more than 100 free-to-air satellites for Africa – be deployed to Liquid’s network in landing in Africa: WACS, EASSy, local and international television feature pp18-20 Nairobi and Mombasa. SEACOM, SAT3 and TEAMS. VSAT solution for “communications sterile” locations

VSAT systems from US-based 308 responders deploy its terminals as a key With multiple form factors and Systems are being increasingly technology to ensure fast and effective VSAT data rates up to 6Mbps, the deployed by the military in Ethiopia, responses during critical missions. company claims its TAC-PAK/VSAT Ghana and Sudan. The company The company’s ‘mobile command flyaway kit combination provides says these users have a need for in-a-box’ TAC-PAK/VSAT systems deployment flexibility. more command resources in remote, are supported in Africa by local It says the kit can be operated “communications sterile” locations, partners, and these latest deploy- anywhere with “great efficiency”, and and have therefore deployed its ments are a follow-on to previous is packaged in a rugged, small, and TAC-PAK/VSAT mobile systems. implementations. 308 says the new highly portable form factor that can 308 Systems specialises in ‘flyaway systems were custom-configured be easily loaded into a pickup truck 308 Systems says its TAC-PAK/VSAT kit’ command and communication to meet specific communication or similar vehicle. It adds that this system effectively turns any vehicle systems that use VSAT backhaul. It says requirements, including linking field effectively turns any local vehicle into into a ‘mobile command centre’. African military, peacekeeping and first radios to mobile phones and PCs. a ‘mobile command centre’.

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Etisalat Egypt selects JDSU E-learning from Avanti for geolocation services Avanti Communications has launched a new education Etisalat Egypt has chosen JDSU’s the growing demand for data more Etisalat adds that the platform service in Africa. Avanti ariesoGEO geolocation software efficiently throughout its network. was quick to deploy and will support Connected Education aims to deliver to help optimise mobile network The operator says it opted for its future LTE plans. internet-enabled learning to children services for its post-paid customers. ariesoGEO because of its scalability JDSU claims its partnership with in Africa for less than USD0.15 per ariesoGEO uses location and support for a wide range of the cellco represents a “landmark” child per day. This is the latest in a intelligence for RAN planning and vendors and technologies. move towards customer support based series of e-learning initiatives from performance engineering, and is Etisalat Egypt CTO Khalid on genuine network insight. Avanti which describes itself as a designed to support 2G, 3G and Murshed says: “We serve a substantial Sue Spradley, SVP for network and wholesale “carriers’ carrier” but is LTE technologies. base of VIP customers in Egypt. service enablement, says: “The region better known as the operator of The platform geolocates all The power of the insight offered by has shown a remarkable appetite for the HYLAS satellites. It also recently customers on the network and ariesoGEO will allow us to ensure the the scope of geolocation services, launched Project iMlango, where collects data on their usage. Etisalat highest quality experience for these with operators moving to differentiate partners provide students with will use this information to manage valued customers in near real-time.” themselves through QoS initiatives.” interactive educational content.

AT plans to transform broadband network Facebook Following on from the launch of “The new modernised network its LTE network last year (see News, will enable Algeria Telecom to Jun-Jul 2014), Algeria Telecom quickly meet this challenge as app expands (AT) is now aiming to upgrade its Ericsson’s SSR (Smart Services Router) well as offer added-value triple play Following the launch of broadband network. The state- 8000 series includes the Broadband services with IPTV and video on Internet.org in Zambia and owned operator says it plans to offer Network Gateway designed to bring demand for a feature rich, end-user more recently in Kenya, Facebook residential, “feature rich”, triple play cloud and video services to the home. experience,” says the firm. “The con- is expanding its partnership with services along with secure enterprise solidated, lower TCO network also Airtel to bring the app to Ghana. networking at lower TCO. functions for a “simple and scalable” enables Algeria Telecom to deliver Subscribers will have access to While AT worked with Nokia architecture using its SSR 8000 series secure Layer 3 VPN and high-speed a set of internet services, such Networks on its LTE network, it router applications such as Provider internet to its enterprise customers.” as health, education, news and has partnered with Ericsson for Edge and Broadband Network Gateway. Mohamed Sebaa, AT’s deputy sports, location information, and this latest project which will see the By deploying its multi-application CEO, adds: “This new infrastructure more, all for free. Facebook VP of transformation of its broadband platforms, Ericsson claims AT will provide the reliability, scalability, Internet.org Chris Daniels says it is aggregation network. will meet the growing demand for performance and flexibility for important to make “internet access Under the terms of the agreement, residential broadband connectivity enabling us to offer more and better available to the two-thirds of the the Swedish vendor says it will and offer secure, high-speed VPN choices to both residential and world not yet connected”. consolidate the existing network services for its enterprise customers. enterprise customers.” MTN opens new mobile money corridor BICS unveils MTN has opened a new cross-border MTN Côte Africa are received in mobile money IPoSat mobile money remittance service d’Ivoire CEO Wim accounts or as airtime top-ups. between Côte d’Ivoire and Benin. Vanhelleputte says Ismail Ahmed, founder and CEO Global wholesale carrier It claims this will make its Mobile mobile money of WorldRemit, says: “Mobile money BICS has unveiled a range Money service cost less and be easier corridors are is rapidly displacing cash as a way of IP over satellite (IPoSat) to use than before. “revolutionising” of receiving money from friends and services that it believes will improve This latest initiative follows MTN’s people’s lives. family abroad. WorldRemit’s partner- reliability and reach for African landmark deal with Airtel last year ship with MTN allows our customers telcos. The company claims its new which saw the launch of a mobile mon- also facilitate trade and business around the world to send money SatFlex and MultiFlex services will ey corridor between Côte d’Ivoire and partnerships on a regional scale.” instantly to Mobile Money users.” provide cost-effective connectivity Burkina Faso (see News, Apr-May 2014). In a separate development, According to MTN, 22.2 million to landlocked states as well as “The ability to transfer money MTN has also signed a deal with of its subscribers in 15 countries are a “robust” backup for fibre and easily and cheaply between Burkina WorldRemit that will allow the UK now using its money services. The submarine cables. “By using BICS’ Faso and Ivory Coast is revolutionis- company to send remittances to the GSM Association adds that there are satellite IP services, operators can ing the lives of many of our custom- operator’s Mobile Money customers. 256 mobile money services currently ensure customers are no longer ers,” claims MTN Côte d’Ivoire CEO WorldRemit claims to be the active around the world, and that taken completely offline by dam- Wim Vanhelleputte. “As with the “leading provider” of remittances there were approximately 60 million aged cabling and severe weather,” Burkina service, the Benin corridor to mobile wallet users, and says that active mobile money users in June says BICS senior product manager will not only connect families, but more 50 per cent of its transfers to 2013, up from 30 million in 2012. for capacity and IP, Eric Loos.

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WiMAX out MENA supercharges its at iWay Pan-African operator fibre with Infinera’s PICs Gondwana International Networks – better known as MENA Submarine Cable System has wholesale carriers with terabit capacity switching into a single platform, iWayAfrica – will upgrade its 4G deployed Infinera’s DTN-X platform as well as a range of connectivity the firm claims its 500Gbps super- network from fixed WiMAX to across its trans-Egypt terrestrial network. services from STM-1 to 100Gbps. channels provide network operators TD-LTE. It will use Telrad’s Dual Infinera says its Intelligent Transport As with previous deployments for the ability to easily scale to terabits of Mode solutions in an effort to System provides multi-terabit capacity other customers in the region (such as transmission capacity. improve connectivity for its business and network services to MENA, and SEACOM – see News, Jun-Jul 2014), MENA MD Ahmed Khalaf says: subscribers in Nairobi before rolling will enable it to differentiate its services Infinera says its Intelligent Transport “The solution’s OTN switching out across its other sub-Saharan and manage costs as it scales. System includes the industry’s only capability provides the ability to networks. The solutions include the A subsidiary of Orascom Telecom commercially available single card offer our customers terabit capacity BreezeCOMPACT 1000 base stations Media and Technology, MENA owns 500Gbps “super-channel” solution immediately upon deployment. The combined with dual mode CPEs. and operates a submarine system that which is based on photonic integrated scalability realised from this network iWay will also use the vendor’s connects Egypt to Greece, Italy, Oman, circuits or PICs. By integrating enables MENA to use time as a software defined radio system for Saudi Arabia and India. This latest DWDM optical transmission and weapon to offer wholesale customers migration from WiMAX to LTE. deployment will enable it to provide up to 12Tbps of non-blocking OTN top-notch services.” ICN switches Wananchi Telecom outsources network TDM to IP services to support wholesale business

IP networking specialist East African carrier Wananchi Telecom In addition to network infra- well as SEACOM on the east coast. Cataleya has been selected has partnered with Epsilon to connect structure, Epsilon will also provide “Network outsourcing is the fastest by Interconnect Clearinghouse its customers in Africa to more than a remote support service for cabling, and most efficient way for service Nigeria (ICN) to help it transition 170 countries around the world. installations and POP management. providers to go global and connect their from TDM to IP. ICN has already It will use Epsilon’s Global Network Nairobi-based Wananchi customers to the rest of the world,” started the migration process using Exchange and carrier grade IP network delivers services in Burundi, Kenya, says Clint Collins, Epsilon’s EMEA Cataleya’s Orchid One Network for the delivery of outsourced services Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, director for carrier business. “With Session system to serve local and to support the growth of its wholesale Tanzania and Zambia, as well as in this partnership, Wananchi Telecom regional mobile operators as well telecoms business. London, Mumbai and UAE. can expand its local and international as offer fixed line services with IP Epsilon has deployed a ‘virtual As part of the deal, Epsilon will have presence, ensuring it delivers high- connectivity. Jay Jayasimha, the POP’ in Telehouse’s East London UK access to Wananchi’s extensive African quality services to more destinations.” vendor’s CTO, claims the scalability data centre and at SmartHub Fujairah network footprint, giving it greater Epsilon’s latest deal with Wananchi of Orchid One is “ideal” for in the UAE, enabling Wananchi to local presence. Epsilon already has follows on from a similar outsourcing delivering IP-enabled networking access more than 500 carriers and interconnection agreements with both contract with Vuetel Italia in Africa in Nigeria which he regards as network service providers. WACS on the west coast of Africa as last year (see News, Jun-Jul 2014). “Africa’s largest telecoms market”. Orange and USAID give mHealth a boost Direct DRC The U.S. Agency for International Orange says healthcare workers Development (USAID) and Orange will be able to use the technology to to US route have formed a new alliance to develop share medical expertise, collaborate mHealth innovations in Africa. with specialists regardless of location, Gilat Satcom has estab- The agency says that using mobile and improve patient care. The public lished a new POP in the phone technology to accelerate access will also be able to access health US to provide a direct satellite route to health information and services information via the platforms. for traffic to and from the DRC. is a “game changer”. It adds that For instance in West Africa, USAID This latest investment from the partnerships with private companies USAID says using mobile phone and Orange are starting to develop company in its fibre and satellite such as Orange will enable it to have a technology to accelerate access to a regional platform with a menu of infrastructure comes after it won a larger impact in a cost-effective manner. health information and services is a mobile apps that health ministries, variety of new deals from operators Under the first phase of their “game changer” in Africa. donors and NGOs could use for and enterprises across Africa last programme, the two organisations consumer education, healthworker tools, year. “We are investing to ensure that will leverage their combined expertise, currently under exploration. Future mobile money, and data collection. we provide our customers with technologies and local resources to services will use integrated mHealth The alliance ultimately aims reliable high-quality competitively improve quality of care and ensure that platforms and Orange’s networks in 20 to create a framework for easily priced broadband services with health services are readily accessible to countries across MEA to communicate replicating these mobile services in a excellent QoS,” says CEO Dan Zjicek. the public. Niger is one of the countries alerts and share resources. number of African countries.

10 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS December 2014/January 2015

NAWC 1501 p10 (News) AM RN.indd 10 05/02/2015 18:29 NEWS FOCUS: EBOLA CRISISNEWS Dealing with Ebola The current Ebola outbreak requires a global response. The ICT community has been offering its support through technology. ©VAIZ HA

bola is estimated to have killed more than 8,000 people since the latest outbreak began in Guinea at the end of 2013. Nearly E3,000 cases and 1,700 deaths have so far been reported in that country alone. The disease has quickly spread to neighbouring Liberia and Sierra which between them have seen more than 18,200 cases and a death toll of 6,500. The ICT community has been mobilising its forces and technologies in response to this growing international tragedy. For example, satellite operator SES is supporting the B-LiFE initiative, an international collaboration between the public, private and academic sectors. Run by A field worker in Ghana uses a Google Nexus tablet pre-loaded with crisis-response apps. Inveneo has a consortium that includes the European Space distributed 500 of the tablets to aid agencies in the region and has provided training in how to use them. Agency, amongst others, B-LiFE aims to bring rapid disease identification for a fast response to The importance of apps Meanwhile the ITU has launched a free app crises such as the current Ebola epidemic. called Ebola-Info-Sharing. It’s designed to facilitate Once installed in a crisis zone, the B-LiFE Mobile apps are playing a significant part in the coordination among organisations responding to laboratory uses DNA-based analysis techniques fight. For instance last year, Inveneo sent a team the crisis, and allows the general public to access the to very precisely identify the presence of to Accra, Ghana to distribute 500 Google Nexus 7 latest Ebola news from official sources, including an life-threatening biological agents that cause tablets to health workers in West Africa. The interactive map on the spread of the disease. disease. A B-LiFE lab has been installed in devices are pre-loaded with crisis response apps In Liberia, identification technology specialist N’Zerekore, Guinea to provide and ensure a designed to support major aid agencies working Zetes is working with Médicins San Frontières rapid identification of Ebola-suspected patients on the ground in the affected areas. Inveneo’s (MSF), providing medical professionals with through appropriate diagnostic tests. It will team, led by senior field engineer Samuel Perales an app that tracks the location, condition, and also perform clinical tests to analyse the effects and executive director Bruce Baikie, have also treatment of patients using portable terminals. In of new therapeutic drugs and contribute to the provided training to support up to 50 aid organi- December, Zetes said the system was being piloted development of new treatments for Ebola. sations stationed throughout the region. in Monrovia at MSF’s largest treatment centre The effectiveness of the response provided “International relief organisations have been which monitors infected patients. by the B-Life lab depends on the real-time expressing the need for tablets on the ground,” On arrival at the centre, each patient receives communications provided by satellite. said Perales. “Having seen first hand just how a bracelet with a printed barcode and a unique Connectivity is provided via a rapid deployment kit effective these tablets were in the aftermath of ID. MSF doctors scan the patient identifier which with an inflatable antenna, and is operated on the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines [in 2013], we then allows them to look up his or her records, and emergency.lu and SATMED platform using SES are particularly eager to get tablets into the hands input their diagnosis directly using a questionnaire satellite capacity (see World News, Jun-Jul 2014). of aid organisations working to eradicate Ebola.” displayed on a mobile terminal screen. SES also believes education is vital in helping The Nexus 7s feature software and apps The information is sent to the centre’s database to contain the epidemic and has launched Fight that enable post-crisis communication and via a wireless network. The results of the examina- Ebola, an education channel that is available coordination. With programs such as street-level tion determine the treatment to be administered, to both free-to-air and pay-TV viewers. It is maps and access to medical information, aid and also adds to the epidemiological database. transmitted via ASTRA 2F at 28.2ºE and SES-5 workers are able to deliver supplies more quickly Thanks to the mobile solution, Zetes says medical at 5ºE, and aims at informing populations in and also receive updates and news stories that personnel can now look up the location, condition, affected areas about the nature and dangers of the rural communities desperately need. and progress of every patient at any time. disease and how to fight it. US-based Inveneo, which specialises in deploy- Elsewhere, mobile operators on the continent Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, SVP commercial ing sustainable computing and broadband solu- are collecting funds to support the African Union’s Africa at SES, says: “Many people do not under- tions to developing countries, has also launched ‘United Against Ebola’ appeal. Safaricom, Vodacom stand this disease and therefore, tragically, do its Ebola Response Connectivity initiative. It is using and Vodafone have donated a combined total of not seek the medical care they need. Fight Ebola equipment, such as radios, dishes and bridges USD1.25m to the union, while Millicom and the broadcasts content to millions of people that need from specialist vendor Ubiquiti, to build an in- MTN Group are running individual SMS-based to be informed on the risks of Ebola. The content on stant Wi-Fi network bringing internet connectivity campaigns. MTN is inviting its subscribers to give at the channel comes from multiple sources endorsed to doctors, nurses, and others working at medical least USD1 as part of the appeal, and has also pledged by the Luxembourg Ministry of Health.” centres in Sierra Leone. to add USD10m from its own coffers.

December 2014/January 2015 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 11

NAWC 1501 p11 (News focus) NEW.indd 11 06/02/2015 16:22 Security AND Productivity 21st Century Solutions to 21st Century Problems

ll tower companies and mobile operators systems, not all assets can be wired or installed with face the challenge of preventing theft and readers. How to expand the system to monitor Aunauthorized access to their infrastructure. access to assets like generators and front gates? e more remote the location, the more dicult the challenge. We have gone to great lengths in designing solutions that take these challenges into e most common solution has been consideration. By deploying electronic, mechanical locking systems. e problem is, these programmable locks and keys, intelligence is systems create numerous management headaches added to the same kind of padlock or cylinder including copied keys, lost/stolen keys, the lock already deployed on sites. Critically, the frequent need to replace locks, where the process locks are completely wire and battery free. itself can be far more expensive than the cost of ese solutions oer rapid deployment – all that the original locks, and the need for trained and is required is a screwdriver and 10 minutes at a trustworthy sta to manage all these keys, which site. Any asset can be secured, thus one solution may number in the tens of thousands. can monitor vendors from the front gate to the generators to the LTE and BBUs. Operators A switch to combination locks was thought to and towercos can now gain control and data be a solution. ey are not, as combination locks anywhere with minimal headaches. create an increased security threat; namely who knows the combinations at any given time? Should e next challenge is to oer Real Time control all combinations be changed every time sta leave? and monitoring with a power independent system. In our solutions, users on-site enter a random code In the age of Big Data, management has never which oers them access only to the assets required put more value on generating and analyzing critical in their service ticket and only for the time they data in their operations. Mechanical systems need. is single-usage code is generated by a cannot meet the data demands of the 21st century. software which is sent to the user’s phone. ereby, the industry has begun searching for other solutions. ese usually consist of: In the developing world where many technicians do not own smart phones, needless to say data • Wired Systems - Why not deploy the same plans, it is essential that this kind of solution can smart card based access control systems used in also function on a basic phone. Another critical the oce? e problem is, these systems are not factor is redundancy, our system implements real- designed for remote, outdoor environments. e time control and data in such a way as to function installation alone may cost from 2-5 times the price regardless of if power is down at the site itself. of the hardware and necessitate major changes to site infrastructure. Installation may then require e demands for security are only increasing. e skilled technicians on-site for days at a time. If this demands for productivity are increasing alongside it. is scaled across an entire network, deployment time An ideal solution will enhance both synergistically. alone is unrealistic. en there is the maintenance At the same time, we must be realistic. Human involved. e costs and complexity likely outweigh resources, budget, operational architecture, and time the benets of the technology. must all be considered. Let us show you how we can work under your constraints to dramatically increase • Battery Powered Readers – An alternative is to security and productivity. install wire-free readers, especially Bluetooth-based systems. While this eliminates the need for large At Acsys – Smart Access is Now in Your Hands control panels and trenching, it also means that the system is dependent on batteries. We all know www.acsys.com that batteries fail and must be replaced periodically, requiring a new workow simply to maintain the [email protected] readers. What some may not realize is, because of the battery issue (which are installed inside of a door), these systems feature mechanical-lock over- rides. Now a hi-tech solution suers from the same security weaknesses of a mechanical one – picked or bumped locks, lost/stolen keys, and the ability for users to enter sites undetected through these keys. – It is important to note, that with both these

AcsysNAWC Advertorial 1501 p12 (Acsys).inddNAWC 1501.indd 1 1 05/02/201506/07/2015 17:5417:42 WIRELESS BUSINESS

IHS secures billions in funding for more expansion across Africa In what’s described as the largest IHS CEO Issam and Rwanda in a deal reportedly mean that IHS will manage more capital raise in Africa since 2007, Darwish says worth around USD313m. than 21,000 towers in Africa, adding IHS Towers has agreed funding Airtel’s users will Airtel Africa’s entire estate of to its existing assets in Cameroon, worth USD2.6 billion. The deals, now benefit from around 17,000 towers has been up Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. announced towards the end of last greater efficiencies for sale for some time now, and It is also likely to result in further year, comprise equity of USD2bn and increased thousands have already been sold employment opportunities. Over and a loan facility of USD600m. network uptimes. to Eaton Towers and Helios Towers the last few years IHS says it has The equity has been secured Africa in separate deals (see Wireless created “several thousand” direct and from existing and new shareholders, Business, Aug-Sep 2014). indirect job opportunities, adding while the debt component is split Airtel’s agreements with IHS, which that it continues to invest “heavily” between USD and NGN with a site build programmes across its are subject to statutory and regulatory in the recruitment, training and seven- and eight-year tranche. footprint, and will also be used to approvals, will involve the sale and development of its workforce. The facility was fully underwritten deliver greener power technologies lease back of towers in Zambia and “We are clear in our ambition to which IHS says confirms its status to its tower portfolio such as more Rwanda under a 10-year renewable play a leading role in the creation of in the credit markets. efficient operational management contract. The operator says this will the widest, most efficient and reliable The company has now raised a solutions, solar systems, and high enable it to focus on its core business mobile networks in Africa,” says IHS total of USD4.5bn since 2012 and efficiency generator units. and customers, de-leverage through CEO Issam Darwish. “The social claims to be the largest towerco in In December 2014, the firm debt reduction, and reduce its ongoing and economic benefits to the local the EMEA region. IHS says the announced it will acquire more than capex on passive infrastructure. economies where we operate are latest funding will support new 1,100 towers from Airtel in Zambia Once approved, this latest deal will significant.”

NIGCOMSAT to be privatised revenue and improve financial that it had secured an additional Startups for the programme will be The Nigerian Government has profiles to attract investors”. USD56m in equity funding to back selected based on globally established announced plans to privatise its ambitions. criteria. These include having a state-owned satellite operator Afrimax and Vodafone team up to Vodafone says its Partner Markets full-time founding team, a “bold NIGCOMSAT. find regional partners community has been successfully vision” for tackling a real problem, Early last December, the plan for Under a non-equity framework operating in more than 50 countries. technology-driven solutions, and less the privatisation was discussed during agreement, Vodafone and LTE This latest framework agreement than USD1 million in raised capital. a government meeting chaired by operator Afrimax will explore with Afrimax has been agreed in One Nigerian startup that communication technology minister potential ‘Partner Market’ conjunction with Vodacom Group, has already benefited from the Dr. Omobola Johnson. opportunities in a variety of and will complement its operations in partnership is mobile games company At the meeting it was noted that, territories in sub-Saharan Africa. DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Gamsole. The firm says it’s had more according to benchmarking analysis The two firms have already signed Africa and Tanzania. than nine million downloads around from the global satellite industry, their own Partner Market agreement the world, making its founder Abiola the most successful privatisation in Uganda, and will offer customers 88mph and Microsoft Ventures to Olaniran Nigeria’s highest paid exercises have occurred with satellite voice and data products and services support startups in Nigeria Windows game developer. companies that have been established using the ‘Vodafone Uganda’ brand. Microsoft is working with business 88mph is a seed fund and for a minimum of 24 years. Vodafone adds that its multinational mentor 88mph to expand the accelerator investing in startups that But because of austerity measures, corporate customers will benefit Microsoft Ventures programme into target African markets. Microsoft Johnson said NIGCOMSAT’s from the addition of Uganda to their Nigeria. As part of the software describes it as a “leader in a region privatisation will be preceded by a existing contracts for international giant’s 4Afrika initiative, the where entrepreneurism is thriving and transition phase. She said the 2015 managed services. collaboration aims to help improve a great source of economic good”. transition plan will focus on the Netherlands-based Afrimax special- startups’ productivity by offering The two organisations first teamed-up company’s commercial growth and ises in acquiring spectrum, building tools, resources, expertise and routes in Kenya in 2013 (see Wireless Business, improved financial attractiveness networks, and operating mobile to market around the world. Oct-Nov 2013). before it is privatised, which is services in diverse geographic markets “By expanding Microsoft Ventures expected by 2018. such as Africa. It is backed by private into Nigeria, we hope to re-invent The estimated market value investors as well as World Bank productivity for startups,” says of NIGCOMSAT’s ground Group members IFC and AMC. Amrote Abdella, director of startup infrastructure in Abuja and China is With an existing 4G footprint engagement and partnerships at around USD1bn, according to MD covering 12 countries and further Microsoft Africa Initiatives. “This Abimbola Alale. She added that if licenses being acquired, the company means equipping them with the the government chooses to increase is using TD-LTE technology to technology that puts their businesses commercialisation efforts through build what it claims is the “largest” first, providing affordable devices, additional critical infrastructure portfolio of 4G wireless broadband cloud-based software and pay-as- Microsoft Africa Initiatives aims to investment, then it will gain the networks across sub-Saharan Africa. you-go models, that enable anytime- “re-invent” productivity for startup “optimal asset utility to generate Last November, it announced anywhere access.” firms, according to Amrote Abdella.

December 2014/January 2015 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 13

NAWC 1501 p13-15 (Wireless Business) RN.indd 13 05/02/2015 18:34 Register to receive your free copy of this & other business magazines: WIRELESS BUSINESS www.kadiumpublishing.com

Chinese banks back VimpelCom Billion dollar network deals for “Sales increased year-on-year on VimpelCom has signed a new Egyptian operators the back of increased spending by USD1bn credit facility with Bank of In deals worth EGP15bn customers in key markets,” says the China and the China Development (USD2.05bn), Mobinil and Vodafone firm’s annual report. “Lower handset Bank (CDB). Announced last have signed international service prices is the key driver of mobile data November, it has a tenure of eight contracts with Telecom Egypt (TE). traffic growth. This, together with years and is unsecured but guaranteed Under the four-year agreements, regulatory quality requirements, drove by VimpelCom Amsterdam B.V. the two cellcos will have wholesale mobile broadband investments.” It is in addition to the USD0.5bn access to TE’s global gateway Ericsson says its full-year sales credit facility signed with the CDB in services. In addition, Mobinil and declined but recovered in the second December 2012. Vodafone have agreed to offer half, mainly driven by operators “Our cash flows remain robust,” domestic infrastructure services to TE focusing on network traffic and says VimpelCom CFO Andrew for five and three years, respectively. quality management. The company Davies. “And with an improved In 2014, the Egyptian government states that this resulted in continued Ericsson president and CEO Hans debt maturity schedule, no major agreed to issue unified telecoms demand for managed services. Vestberg says the lower sales in North re-financing obligations until 2020, licenses. These latest agreements will However, a closer look at its annual America and Africa were compensated and a strong liquidity position, therefore help both mobile operators report reveals that, for sub-Saharan for by growth in the Middle East, VimpelCom is well-funded.” to launch fixed services, while TE will Africa, all four quarters of 2014 show Europe and Asia. The credit will be used to fund be able to offer mobile services as soon fewer sales than the corresponding capex for the telco’s various as its long-awaited license is granted. quarter in 2013. East, Europe and Asia. Operating subsidiaries. The Russian operator, TE currently has a 45 per cent Ericsson’s sales in North America margin improved in the core business which is headquartered in stake in Vodafone Egypt. The also declined, with year-on-year sales driven by higher share of capacity Amsterdam, provides services in 14 country’s government wants to see in 2014 down eight per cent compared sales and efficiency enhancements. countries around the world and its that share, which is said to be worth to the previous year. The region was This was partly offset by currency interests in Africa include Djezzy in around USD1bn, sold by the end of previously one of the fastest-growing hedge losses, investments in targeted Algeria and Telecel in Zimbabwe. 2015. The telco is reportedly looking markets for the company, but it has areas as well as losses related to the The firm says it has been investing to hire financial advisers to help with slowed down because construction on modems operations.” in high-quality networks across its the sale, and has also asked local and the latest generation of 4G networks operations to capture the opportunity international banks to submit propos- has largely peaked and shifted to Operators are “living in denial” and from mobile data growth. als if they wish to be involved. capacity upgrades. need a new business model Meanwhile in January 2015, the Total sales for the year were Global trends for mobile operators group announced several changes to Ericsson’s full year performance hit USD28bn, a slight fall of two per show stagnant revenues and declining its management team. by slowdown in Africa sales cent. Overall operating income was margins, says Strategy Analytics. COO René Schuster plans to Ericsson has seen a significant USD2bn. 2015 may continue to be a According to the research firm, leave the company to “pursue other dip in sales in the sub-Saharan relatively tough year for the firm as while many consider developing business interests”. Chief HR officer Africa region, a downturn which it forecasts restructuring charges of countries to be growth markets for Anja Uitdehaag has also quit and will has contributed to a disappointing approximately USD500m. technology, they are not actually be replaced by former Cap Gemini 2014 for the networking equipment Ericsson president and CEO Hans proving to be profitable. S.A. VP Jeremy Roffe-Vidal. manufacturer. Vestberg, says the slowdown in sales In a recently published report, Are Earlier in December, Jon Fredrik The Swedish multinational has in sub-Saharan Africa and North telecommunications Operators in Denial? Baksaas said he was stepping down reported a drop in full-year sales of America were offset by increases ROI is at Risk and New Business Model from VimpelCom’s Supervisory 13 per cent in the sub-Saharan region, elsewhere: “A sales decline in North is Needed, Strategy Analytics says: Board. Kjell Morten Johnsen will but despite the poor report it reckons America of eight per cent was “While network operators around now act as his alternate. there are reasons to be cheerful. compensated by growth in the Middle the world have spent over USD700bn

NEW APPOINTMENTS

Date Name New employer New position Previous employer Previous position

04/11/14 Ashish Chowdhary Nokia Networks Chief business officer, customer operations Nokia Networks EVP Asia, Middle East & Africa

04/11/14 Igor Leprince Nokia Networks Head of global services Nokia Networks SVP & head of Middle East and Africa

07/11/14 Jimmy Eisenstein Eaton Towers Chairman Grupo TorreSur CEO

25/11/14 Giorgio Heiman Orange VP Middle East & Africa Vodafone Head of global services, emerging markets

11/12/14 Stephen Spengler Intelsat Deputy CEO (to become CEO in Apr) Intelsat President & CCO

15/12/14 Bernard Najm Nokia Networks VP Middle East & Africa Nokia Networks Head of ‘SKIL’ sub-region

12/1/15 Francois Van Zyl Anam Technologies Regional director, Africa Cell C Managing executive

12/1/15 Debbie Minnaar MTN Group GM, products & services IBM South Africa GM, strategy & special projects

14/1/15 Jürgen Eynck DAMM Director, R&D Fjord-e-design sales Authorised officer

15/1/15 John Wibergh Vodafone CTO Ericsson EVP & head of networks Brig Gen Peter SES Government 19/01/15 President & CEO SES Corporate VP, development Hoene Solutions 29/1/15 Joe Barrett GSA President VisionComs Ltd Founder

1414 NORTHERNNORTHERN AFRICANAFRICAN WIRELESSWIRELESS COMMUNICATIONSCOMMUNICATIONS DecemberDecember 2014/January2014/January 20152015

NAWC 1501 p13-15 (Wireless Business) RN.indd 14 05/02/2015 18:34 WIRELESS BUSINESSNEWS

in infrastructure investment over the IN BRIEF... US-based CommScope says it with expansion into its remaining past ten years, revenue growth has expects to finance the transaction operations on the continent to follow. been almost flat since 2007. Under a two-year deal through the use of cash on hand Thuraya says its collaboration with “Operators appear to be in denial worth USD7.5m, Gilat and up to USD3bn of incremental Airtel “spearheads” the convergence that the business model has changed, Satcom will provide satellite backup debt. It has received debt financing between satellite and mobile which is and unwilling to recognise that invest- in the DRC. The firm has not named commitments from J.P. Morgan addressing Africa’s growing demand ment alone does not lead to increased its customer but describes it as a Securities, BofA Merrill Lynch, for communications technology. profitability.” “leading mobile communications Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo. The researchers adds that their company” in the country. The deal is expected to close by the Gemalto has opened an wireless operator performance As part of an agreement that end of 2015 subject to approvals and office in Côte d’Ivoire in an benchmarking report indicates that Gilat announced last November, the other customary closing conditions. effort to better meet the needs of its with new capacity and increased operator will use satellite to backup customers throughout West Africa. competition, ARPU has been its cellular, fibre and backhaul At the end of January, According to the digital security steadily declining in every region networks in the DRC’s four largest Global Telecom Holding specialist, Côte d’Ivoire has a mobile of the world. They says that this, cities: Goma, Kinshasa, Kisangani (GTH) announced it had closed the penetration rate of more than 90 per together with slow revenue growth, and Lubumbashi. sale of its 51 per cent interest in cent and its ICT market accounts for has resulted in a steady erosion of The company adds that it’s Omnium Telecom Algeria – formerly nearly 10 per cent of GDP. margins since 2010 in most regions. been providing satellite broadband known as Orascom Telecom Algérie “This new location will therefore connectivity to enterprises and ISPs (OTA) or Djezzy – to the Algerian aim to further foster the digital Microsoft’s fourth quarter results in the DRC since 2008, most recently National Investment Fund for USD development of the local economic below expectations using O3b’s new satellites. 2.6bn. GTH will continue to exercise fabric,” says the firm. “This genuine Shares in Microsoft tumbled 10 per operational control over OTA, and as technology hub will leverage skill cent after it announced its 4Q14 CommScope Holding a result, both GTH and its parent transfer and the pool of engineering results. Analysts believe the fall was has agreed to acquire TE company VimpelCom will continue excellence available in the country.” due to enterprise software license Connectivity’s telecoms, enterprise to fully consolidate OTA. Shortly sales being below forecasts. and wireless businesses in an all- prior to closing, OTA and its Cairo-based VAS provider Microsoft has been trying to move cash transaction valued at around wholly-owned subsidiary Optimum TA Telecom has been away from its traditional stronghold USD3bn. CommScope hopes the Telecom Algérie established credit recognised as one of the 50 fastest- in the PC market and more towards deal will enable it to expand into facilities with a syndicate of Algerian growing technology companies in mobile devices. It has seen increased “attractive” adjacent markets as and international banks for DZD82bn Africa. It ranked fourth on the Deloitte sales of its Lumia smartphones and well as broaden its position as an (around USD 0.9bn). Technology Fast 50 Africa 2014 for Surface tablets – year-on-year revenues infrastructure provider. achieving a revenue growth of 560 from the latter grew 24 per cent to Headquartered in Switzerland, TE Airtel is said to have become per cent over the past five years. more than USD 1bn. is said to have a “strong presence” in Africa’s first and only cellco to TA harnesses the power of ‘Big The company says its cloud Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia provide its customers with 100 Data’ and analytics for its mobile computing software has also been Pacific. It specialises in fibre optic per cent coverage using terrestrial and content platforms. It says its products selling well, with earnings that have connectivity for wireless and fixed mobile satellite connectivity. benefit more than 10m users in MEA. more than doubled. Microsoft claims networks, and reported revenues of In a deal announced last Nigerian transactions specialist the division is now on course to bring around USD1.9bn for its fiscal year November, the operator said it is Interswitch ranked first in Deloitte’s in USD 5.5bn in the next financial year. that ended last September. These launching mobile satellite products table with 1,226 per cent growth. Total revenues for the quarter were consisted of USD1.1bn from its and services from Thuraya across It was followed by Kenya’s just over USD26bn, with commercial Telecom division, USD627m from its 17 African markets. They will be TechnoBrain, and South African licensing – mostly Windows – bringing Enterprise, and USD164m from initially available in Congo, DRC, firms Everlytic and Adapt IT who in almost half that amount. Wireless. Gabon, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia, ranked third and fifth respectively.

NEW APPOINTMENTS LATEST COMPANY RESULTS

Date Name New employer New position Previous employer Previous position Sales EBITA EPS Date Company Country Period Currency Notes (m) (m) (units) 04/11/14 Ashish Chowdhary Nokia Networks Chief business officer, customer operations Nokia Networks EVP Asia, Middle East & Africa 22,845 7,705 Africa up 6.4% in local currency terms but USD appreciation 30/10/14 Bharti Airtel India 2Q14 INR NA 04/11/14 Igor Leprince Nokia Networks Head of global services Nokia Networks SVP & head of Middle East and Africa (cr) (cr) depressed growth to 1.9% YoY. India revenues up 12.3% YoY. 07/11/14 Jimmy Eisenstein Eaton Towers Chairman Grupo TorreSur CEO Revenues reflect current markets for African services & 30/10/14 Intelsat Luxembourg 3Q14 USD 608.6 477.8 0.58 government businesses; new launches offer future optimism. 25/11/14 Giorgio Heiman Orange VP Middle East & Africa Vodafone Head of global services, emerging markets CEO Michel de Rosen: “We are on track to deliver on our full year 11/12/14 Stephen Spengler Intelsat Deputy CEO (to become CEO in Apr) Intelsat President & CCO 30/10/14 Eutelsat France 3Q14 EUR 357.6 NA NA financial targets.” 15/12/14 Bernard Najm Nokia Networks VP Middle East & Africa Nokia Networks Head of ‘SKIL’ sub-region Revenues flat compared to prior year; Europe & overseas markets 30/10/14 SES Luxembourg 3Q14 EUR 467.7 355.9 NA 12/1/15 Francois Van Zyl Anam Technologies Regional director, Africa Cell C Managing executive offset weaker performance in North America. Net income declined due to one-off costs related to recent 12/1/15 Debbie Minnaar MTN Group GM, products & services IBM South Africa GM, strategy & special projects 12/11/14 VimpelCom Netherlands 3Q14 USD 5.1 (bn) 2.2 (bn) NA re-financing of WIND & unfavourable forex. 14/1/15 Jürgen Eynck DAMM Director, R&D Fjord-e-design sales Authorised officer The telecom networking giant became the third-largest 15/1/15 John Wibergh Vodafone CTO Ericsson EVP & head of networks 13/01/15 Huawei China FY14 CNY 287 (bn) 29.4 (bn) NA smartphone maker last year, and is now said to be the largest telecoms equipment manufacturer in the world. Brig Gen Peter SES Government 19/01/15 President & CEO SES Corporate VP, development Full-year profits almost doubled last year. Has high hopes for its Hoene Solutions 81.24 19/01/15 ZTE China FY14 RMB NA 0.77 Blade S6 smartphone over the coming 12 months and aims to (bn) 29/1/15 Joe Barrett GSA President VisionComs Ltd Founder dent Apple’s market share.

December 2014/January 2015 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 15

NAWC 1501 p13-15 (Wireless Business) NEW.indd 15 06/02/2015 17:09 Register to receive your free copy of this & other business magazines: WIRELESS SOLUTIONS www.kadiumpublishing.com

OneAccess unveils LTE-enabled multiservice access router platform OneAccess says its new integrated One1540-4G also provides a single, One1540-4G can effect a seamless and traffic periods when failover to legacy 4G router platform enables operators, centrally managed application automatic failover to LTE, together with cellular standards, such as 3G or cloud and managed CSPs to add LTE platform over which service providers an automated return to the primary HSPA+, could risk performance degra- connectivity to the growing list of can deliver “bundles of revenue- link once the main fixed connection dation from overloading the network. access technologies they can integrate generating managed network services”. is restored. As a result, it OneAccess says operators can on multipath WANs. It adds that the The new platform enables a bonded enables service providers to use the platform with customers that LTE link on the WAN. OneAccess extend their business continuity require a superfast connection but have MANUFACTURER: OneAccess says that this ensures the continuous commitments to cover peak yet to install a fibre link. By deploying availability of business-critical a One1540-4G they can deliver a high- PRODUCT: One1540-4G applications as bandwidth-hungry bandwidth LTE link of up to 150Mbps cloud-based apps continue to force which will automatically switch over MORE INFORMATION: increasing volumes of data to a fibre link when cabling www.oneaccess-net.com across the network. is completed, retaining the The vendor claims the LTE link as a failover. Mini COFDM transmitter for bodyworn surveillance MEL Secure Systems has launched security and military applications. non-line-of-sight urban environments, 5.8GHz, while bandwidth is available a new and compact COFDM H.264 Measuring 86 x 56 x 25mm, Ranger while a 15km range has also been in 1, 2, 4 and 8MHz. MEL adds digital video transmitter to meet the Mini is said to support high-quality, achieved in line-of-sight environments. that built-in AES 128/256-bit needs of users in a wide range of real-time video monitoring and The firm says the device also enables encryption ensures the highest recording applications for bodyworn, users to colocate more channels in security standards. MANUFACTURER: mobile and temporary CCTV uses. the increasingly crowded RF Optional receiver MEL Secure Systems It’s claimed to provide “class- spectrum. It is kits include an LCD leading” performance, and uses ultra- available in a monitor and integrated PRODUCT: Ranger Mini narrowband to provide “exceptional” wide range of DVR which enable high- range and video quality in high multi- frequencies quality, interference-free MORE INFORMATION: path environments regardless of line- including images to be received www.melsecuresystems.com of-sight. MEL says the unit delivers 1.3GHz, from up to four cameras images at distances of up to 1km in 2.4GHz and simultaneously. Sepura introduces new Elevate “slashes” time-to- DMR Tier III portfolio market for wireless devices

Sepura has added a DMR Tier III cause the whole network to fail. In Spirent Communications describes Elevate offers analytics that cross all solution to its product portfolio. It addition, existing Sepura Tier II the Elevate Test Framework as a “revo- phases of wireless device development, says the flexible design of its platform deployments can be easily upgraded, lutionary advance” in testing wireless such as emulated and live services, allows the creation of tailor-made allowing radio systems to grow and M2M devices and services. It instrumentation, an open API, and solutions or off-the-shelf systems. according to user needs. claims Elevate provides a unique open automated and interactive testing. It Sepura claims its Tier III DMR The firm says its new line-up test architecture and offers “powerful” then outputs shareable test results for system architecture provides an includes “rugged and robust resources to enable faster time-to- comprehensive collaboration. extremely high level of built-in portables” as well as “sophisticated” market and improved user experience. “With surges in smartphones and redundancy. Subscriber and network fully featured mobiles. There’s also Unlike conventional platforms, M2M devices, legacy test solutions are data is distributed across every node a multi-functional and easy to install Spirent says its framework separates not able to support the complexity and in the system, eliminating the need system incorporating a new controller hardware from software, making use time to market needs”, says Spirent. for dedicated site controllers and developed in collaboration with Fylde of virtualisation and organising test permitting no single point of Micro which Sepura acquired in May. elements into an open architecture. MANUFACTURER: weakness that could Spirent Communications MANUFACTURER: Sepura PRODUCT: PRODUCT: DMR Tier III system Elevate Test Framework

MORE INFORMATION: MORE INFORMATION: www.sepura.com www.spirent.com/elevate

16 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS December 2014/January 2015

NAWC 1501 p16-17 (Wireless Solutions) NEW.indd 16 06/02/2015 17:15 WIRELESS SOLUTIONS

Nokia Networks launches ALSO LOOK OUT FOR Keysight offers OSS software as a service signal library Nokia Networks has developed OSS capacity of 2G, 3G and LTE networks; services such as key quality indicator as a Service in an effort to enable and Service Quality Manager which modelling for Service Quality Manager for 5G research operators to shift capex to opex for aims to give them an accurate real-time for example, or a more comprehen- lower and more predictable costs. view of service quality across mobile sive package that also includes service Keysight Technologies says its EEsof The firm is offering two OSS tools broadband and IT networks. management for a fully outsourced EDA 5G Baseband Exploration Library asaservice:PerformanceManagerto help Nokia reckons OSS as a Service service operations centre. provides ready-to-use reference operators manage the performance and provides “greater business agility” with Nokia says as operators look to take signal processing intellectual deployment in just a few weeks. It says advantage of efficiencies that cloud- property for 5G technology research. MANUFACTURER: overall operator costs can be 19 per based networking can offer, hosting The Agilent subsidiary claims the Nokia Networks cent lower compared to conventional models can not only help reduce the opening of its library is an industry business models, due to reduced instal- disruption of upgrade cycles, but also first, and that it will “dramatically” PRODUCT: OSS as a Service lation, integration and operation costs. schedule expenditures to better match increase the productivity for The tools are hosted and supported the ramp-up in network requirements. system architects and baseband MORE INFORMATION: by Nokia Networks’ Global Delivery It adds service management can physical layer designers. www.company.nokia.com Centres. Users can choose to take resolve service quality degradations Launched last November, the the tools with maintenance and basic 20 per cent faster than a NOC alone. library supports various 5G candidate waveforms for orthogonal and non-orthogonal multi-carrier comms systems, including advanced MIMO 10GbE platform for virtualised services and beamforming signal processing. Telco Systems has added CloudMetro networks. According to Telco, optimise virtualisation performance. It also provides transmitter 100 to its Open Metro Edge range of this makes their networks “highly Telco says that accelerating demand and reference receiver modelling solutions. According to the SDN and orchestrated, agile and virtualised”. for bandwidth is already pushing NFV examples which, according to Key- Carrier Ethernet specialist, the offering The platform supports distributed toward the next modernisation wave sight, can be easily re-designed to is the first 10GbE platform for virtual- network functions virtualisation (NFV), that will satisfy bandwidth-hungry achieve optimal performance for ised IT services at the network edge. enabling operators to run the vendor’s NFV applications over high-capacity comparison of each of the candi- CloudMetro 100 is said to offer a virtualised apps to provide multi- Ethernet. It says the 10GbE-capable date standards proposals. carrier-grade platform that enables services in addition to connectivity. CloudMetro 100 meets this approaching The new resource consists of service providers to transform their To implement distributed NFV, capacity challenge while supporting source code, subsystems, models transport networks to full IT-enabled CloudMetro 100 combines a switch all of the latest transport technologies and infrastructure components. and integrated Intel x86 CPU as a including Carrier Ethernet 2.0, IP/ These can be used for the high MANUFACTURER: hosting processor. This runs the Telco MPLS and OpenFlow. quality, rapid development Telco Systems Virtualisation Engine infrastructure In addition, it provides many OAM, and verification of advanced layer, enabling carrier-grade resiliency and HQoS capabilities, as digital modems using Keysight’s PRODUCT: CloudMetro 100 virtualisation support that simplifies well as NETCONF and YANG for SystemVue simulation platform. NFV execution and management. next-generation network management. The company says the source MORE INFORMATION: The platform also code provides a self-documenting www.telco.com utilises Intel’s VT-X independent reference library that technology to allows system designers to quickly replace and modify blocks, and subsystems to meet the needs of their specific end product. An all-in-one solution to critical threats It claims SystemVue’s integrated Adax has launched a new all-in-one them deal with a general culture of Adax says the gateway uses the simulation environment allows solution to help operators protect security threats which has opened up a most current IPsec security features users to investigate, implement subscribers and their data. whole new portal for intruders to infil- including MOBIKE, IKEv2 and and verify their communications The packet-processing and network trate data packets on the core network. TCP/IP firewall, and also offers PHY signal processing designs with infrastructure specialist says its SEG+ It’s claimed the gateway delivers support for IPv6/IPv4 and 64-bit dynamic link-level scenarios. is a security gateway that will enable performance, reliability and scalability, platforms. Adding the new library to the operators to have greater control of securing the connection between An onboard switch provides up to platform provides a numb00er of their networks. Adax says it will help untrusted networks and the core in 16 x 1G or 4 x 10G interfaces to the features. Keysight says these in- a complete carrier grade solution. network, and dual 10G or dual 40G clude: advanced DSP blocks for 5G MANUFACTURER: Adax SEG+ has been designed to offer connectivity to the core without the candidate waveform technologies; high-quality, robust security per- need for extra blades or modules. end-to-end PHY layer transmit and PRODUCT: SEG+ formance through receive simulation models; signal- hardware accelera- ling schemes for MIMO channels MORE INFORMATION: tion at low cost for including spatial multiplexing, www.adax.com high bandwidth and space-time coding and multiple scalability. detection methods; and more.

December 2014/January 2015 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 17

NAWC 1501 p16-17 (Wireless Solutions) RN.indd 17 05/02/2015 18:36 Register to receive your free copy of this & other business magazines: FEATURE: SATCOMS www.kadiumpublishing.com The new space race

RSCC’s Express-AM6 on the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan in October 2014. It is the first of several satellites for Africa from the well-established Russian operator. PHOTO © ROSCOSMOS RAHIEL NASIR takes a look at the latest developments in African satcoms and begins the countdown to some of the key launches to look out for in the coming months.

015 looks set to be a landmark year for While EUTELSAT 115 West B will be positioned at put in the market a request for proposals for four satellite technology, most notably in 114.9°W for expanded capacity across the Americas, new satellites at different orbital locations, and yet Africa with the launch of Asia Broadcast ABS-3A will orbit at 3ºW to serve both sides of we continue to see rapid increase in customers’ 2Satellite’s ABS-3A. It will be one of the world’s first the Atlantic for international as well as regional demand on telecommunication and broadcasting to use an all-electric propulsion system which aims connectivity and services. It features 24 C-band services across the region.” to gives operators more affordable launch options as transponders, including three C-band beams to cover In addition to ABS-3A, ABS is planning to well as the ability to nearly double payload capacity. Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, along launch ABS-2A during the second half of this year. ABS-3A has been built by Boeing using the with a global beam. Of its 24 Ku-band transponders, It also uses Boeing’s 702SP and will be co-located 702SP (Small Platform). According to the company, four beams will cover North Africa, the Middle with ABS-2 at 75°E. Designed with 48 transponders its 702SP satellites are affordable, lightweight and East, South Africa, Europe and the Americas. and five dedicated high-powered Ku-band beams, provide efficient options for movement. It adds ABS-3A will support VSAT services, IP trunking, the satellite will serve sub-Sahara Africa, the Gulf that the platform offers up to a total of 48 C- and cellular backhaul, maritime services, and TV Cooperation Council region, South East Asia, Ku-band transponders, and nearly 8kW of payload distribution. Last July, ABS announced that the Afghanistan, India and Russia. power across the satellite’s lifetime. Arab Satellite Communication Organisation Boeing is building two pairs of 702SP satellites (Arabsat) had signed a multi-transponder deal Satellite: the TV superstar to watch under a joint agreement signed in 2012 with ABS to use Ku-band capacity for the duration of the and Eutelsat. The firm’s patented technology will spacecraft’s 15-year lifetime. Arabsat hopes the Eutelsat’s plans for Africa this year include enable the first of these satellites, ABS-3A and payload will provide it with additional growth EUTELSAT 8 West B which it describes as a EUTELSAT 115 West B, to be launched together as opportunities to serve customers over the MENA “powerful new satellite” for North Africa and the a vertically stacked pair on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 region. Speaking at the time, the firm’s CEO and Middle East. Built by Thales Alenia Space, it will be rocket on 27 February 2015. president Khalid Balkheyour said: “Arabsat has equipped with 40 Ku-band transponders designed

18 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS December 2014/January 2015

NAWC 1501 p18-20 (Satcoms) NEW.indd 18 06/02/2015 17:21 FEATURE: SATCOMS

primarily to serve the region’s DTH markets. The including the 7/8°W neighbourhood shared with satellite will orbit at 8°W and introduce a C-band Nilesat whose DTH base in MENA grew from 27 mission to this location with 10 operational million homes in 2010 to 52 million in 2014. transponders connected to footprints covering Eutelsat believes the demand for higher quality Africa and reaching west to South America. digital broadcast services further consolidates satellite EUTELSAT 8 West B will join others from Eutelsat as the preferred digital infrastructure technology and Egyptian operator Nilesat that are already across the region. In earlier research carried out in orbiting at the adjacent 7°W position. Eutelsat says 2014, it found that out of a population base of 77.1m the 7/8°W video neighbourhood is one of the TV homes across 14 countries (which included “most dynamic in the global satellite TV market”, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, with a rapidly growing audience and channel line- amongst others), 92 per cent favour satellite reception up. It comprises three Eutelsat satellites plus two for pay-TV or free-to-air viewing. In 2010, satellite from Nilesat which broadcasts more than 1,000 TV reception accounted for 67 per cent of TV homes in channels to households from Morocco to the Gulf. the region, and by 2013 penetration had increased Last September, the two companies strengthened by 25 percentage points. Over the same period, the their long-term partnership when it was announced number of homes receiving analogue terrestrial TV that Nilesat had agreed to take a long-term lease for slumped from 18.2m in 2010 to 4.1m in 2013. multiple transponders on EUTELSAT 8 West B. Nilesat already leases capacity on EUTELSAT 8 West C but Boosting performance will transfer this to the new bird once it enters service. Eutelsat regularly carries out market research While Intelsat plans to launch four satellites in to monitor the number of homes receiving TV 2015, these are mainly aimed at the Americas. Its channels broadcast by eight of its flagship video next orbiters for Africa are due next year. IS-33e and neighbourhoods serving North Africa, the Middle IS-36 are currently under construction, once again East and Europe. As part of its latest TV Observatory by Boeing, and will be Intelsat’s first satellites for Research from Eutelsat reveals that satellite report released at the start of 2015, it said that all the continent to use its much talked about EpicNG reception accounted for 67 per cent of TV homes in eight continue to experience audience growth, high-performance platform. the MENA region in 2010, and that penetration had PHOTO: BOEING Designed as a complementary overlay to its fixed increased by 25 percentage points by 2013. Over satellite network, Intelsat says EpicNG is designed the same period, the number of homes receiving to use C-, Ku- and Ka-bands, wide and spot beams, analogue terrestrial TV slumped from 18.2 million in as well as frequency re-use technology to provide a 2010 to 4.1 million in 2013. variety of customer benefits. The platform will be fully integrated with the company’s existing fleet MultiChoice is clearly hungry for even and global IntelsatOne terrestrial network. more bandwidth. Eutelsat is leasing capacity According to Intelsat, EpicNG is based on on Express-AMU1, a new Russian Satellite open architecture and engineered for backwards Communication Company (RSCC) satellite that compatibility. It says this allows broadband, media, is due to be launched later this year to 36°E. It mobility and government organisations to realise will commercialise the capacity under the name the cost-efficiency of using existing hardware. It also EUTELSAT 36C. Last year, MultiChoice signed gives increased control, enabling service providers to an agreement with Eutelsat and will use the entire offer their end-users customised and differentiated payload of 15 Ku-band transponders connected solutions – even defining such service characteristics to the African service area of EUTELSAT 36C (see as speed, hardware and network topology. News, Aug-Sep 2014). Intelsat goes on to claim that EpicNG will provide RSCC describes Express-AMU1 as a “state-of-the- three to five times more capacity per satellite than its art” high-capacity satellite with up to 70 transpond- traditional fleet. It adds that the expected throughput ers, and will use it for Ku- and Ka-band coverage of will vary according to application and satellite, but the European part of the Russian Federation. For is expected to be in the range of 25-60Gbps which is Eutelsat, Express-AMU1 will provide follow-on and typically 10 times more than its traditional fleet. expansion capacity for EUTELSAT 36A, and will MultiChoice is often described as Africa’s pioneer also ensure service continuity and growth for the pay TV provider, having launched the continent’s firm’s broadcast markets in sub-Saharan Africa. first digital satellite service in 1995. It is aiming While RSCC has been established as a satellite to put Intelsat’s claims to the test and has already operator since 1967, it did not make its African signed a 15-year service agreement for capacity on debut until 2014 with the launch of Express-AM6 in IS-36. When it’s launched (which is expected during October. Scheduled to start commercial operations the second half of 2016) the new satellite will be co- from 53ºE on 1 July 2015, Express-AM6 will provide located with IS-20 at 68.5˚E, Intelsat’s premier DTH coverage of Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Euro- neighbourhood in Africa. MultiChoice has been the pean Russia, the Urals and Western Siberia. anchor customer at this location since 1995. Built by Russian manufacturer Reshetnev Infor- IS-36 will feature Ku- and C-band transponders. mation Satellite Systems in association with Cana- ABS-3A and EUTELSAT 115 West B are vertically MultiChoice will use the Ku-band payload for dian-based MDA and the Russian Radio Research stacked together on a Boeing 702SP satellite its DTH services, while the C-band payload will and Development Institute, Express-AM6 is based platform. They will be jointly launched in February be used by Intelsat to provide services to other on the Express-2000 platform. It is equipped to carry and will be the world’s first satellites in space to use customers using the 68.5˚E neighbourhood which 72 C-, Ku-, Ka- and L- band transponders, bringing all-electric propulsion systems. also distributes content to South Asia. its combined capacity to more than 2,700MHz.

December 2014/January 2015 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 19

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RSCC plans to launch two more satellites in the coming months. Express-AM8 will have C- and Ku-band fixed beams covering Africa from 14ºW, while Express-AM7 will orbit at 40ºE offering C-band coverage over West and Southern Africa via steerable beams. December 2014 saw the launch of ASTRA 2G from SES. Manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) using the Eurostar E3000 platform, the satellite will orbit at 28.2º/28.5ºE with a payload of 62 Ku- and four Ka-band transponders. “The spacecraft includes the capability to connect West Africa to Europe via Ka-band,” said SES CTO Martin Halliwell. “In combination with ASTRA 2E and ASTRA 2F which were launched in September 2012 and 2013 respectively, ASTRA 2G is the culmination of our fleet renewal programme at the 28.2/28.5º orbital arc. “The new state-of-the-art SES satellites provide more focused and higher power to our broadcast customers, while the Ka-band on board supports Boeing is building four satellites for Intelsat based on the 702MP platform (pictured). They include IS-33e the delivery of next-generation satellite broadband and IS-36 which will be Intelsat’s first satellites for Africa to use its high throughput EpicNG platform. services as well as intercontinental connectivity between Africa and Europe.” throughput satellite (HTS). It claims AMOS-6 will O3b’s fleet has been fully operational following The launch of ASTRA 2G also supports the be fitted with numerous new technologies such as the launch of its second quartet of satellites last SATMED e-health platform that was developed to electronic propulsion capabilities to save on weight July. It says this added more than 80Gbps of improve public health in emerging and developing and cost. Its adds that the satellite’s spot beams capacity to its network and expanded fleet capacity countries, most significantly in isolated areas with will bring “multiple times” more throughput than to over 100Gbps. CEO Steve Collar has previously poor connectivity. The platform was conceived by traditional satellites, thereby enabling broadcasters stated that in the future O3b intends to increase its SES’ TechCom division, and is supported by the and service providers to “re-think business in orbit capacity to more than 1Tbps. Luxembourg Government and ‘ESTHER’, a pan- opportunities in providing various data services, The firm claims its system delivers “fibre-like” European alliance of governments for the networking including mass market broadband services.” performance, throughput exceeding 1Gbps per of health professionals and associations in their fight Scheduled for lift-off in Q4 2015, AMOS-6 will connection, and latency comparable with terrestrial against AIDS (also see World News, Jun-Jul 2014). be positioned at 4°W to offer 39 Ku-band segments networks, all while retaining the “flexibility and While three more SES satellites are presently under and 24 Ka-band beams for a wide array of services. ubiquity” of satellite. construction by ADS, these are destined for Asia and It will include six HTS Ka-band spot beams over In Africa, O3b’s system has already been the Americas, and include SES-12 which will also use sub-Sahara Africa and Europe, as well as three Ku deployed by Hermes Datacomms in Angola, Raga an electric propulsion system (see World News, p32). beams covering the Middle East and Europe. Sat in the DRC, Somtel in Somalia, and RCS in The next satellite for Africa from the Luxembourg- South Sudan. Last November, it was announced based operator will be MonacoSAT which is due to ‘Fibre in the sky’ that Gulfsat Madagascar had become the first be launched in the first quarter of 2015. Based on African company to offer a fully redundant hybrid SES’ partnership with SSI-Monaco, it will orbit at O3b Networks ended 2014 on a high note with news network that incorporates both fibre and O3b’s 52ºE and provide capacity for media, trunking and of the successful launch of four more of its satellites. “fibre equivalent” satellite. According to Gulfsat, enterprise services in North Africa, the Middle East, They were sent into medium Earth orbit (8,000km) its fibre network and O3b’s system are closely Europe and Central Asia. SES will have the rights on 18 December, and mean that the company’s matched in terms of price and performance, and to commercialise MonacoSAT’s entire payload of initially planned constellation of 12 satellites is now therefore work together “seamlessly”. 12 Ku-band transponders covering MENA. complete. The new spacecraft are currently going The new hybrid network is said to give Gulfsat Last September, Spacecom, the operator of the through a period of in-orbit testing and are expected a significant increase in bandwidth with a reliable AMOS fleet, announced plans to launch a high to be integrated into the O3b network in early 2015. throughput of up to 1.6Gbps. This will enable it to expand its broadband and telephony services in Madagascar, as well as launch new enterprise services at speeds of up to 50Mbps using the O3bTrunk solution. In addition, O3b says the lower round trip latency of less than 150ms will benefit Gulfsat’s existing and new oil and gas customers. “The fact that O3b’s service was selected by Gulfsat in a market where more than one submarine fibre is available was very telling to us,” said Omar Trujillo, O3b’s regional VP of Africa and LATAM. “We are starting to see that African customers that focus on providing a high-quality service select our platform ahead of fibre or traditional satellite because they look for a SES will have the rights to commercialise MonacoSAT’s entire payload of 12 Ku-band transponders covering combination of high throughput, low latency, high the Middle East and North Africa. reliability and a competitive price.” n

20 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS December 2014/January 2015

NAWC 1501 p18-20 (Satcoms) RN.indd 20 05/02/2015 18:39 NAWC 1501 p21 (ABS).indd 1 05/02/2015 17:50 NAWC 1501 p22 (ads).indd 1 10/02/2015 14:25 FEATURE: BUYING USED HARDWARE Dealing with the ‘repair or replace’ dilemma With operators facing network infrastructure challenges across Africa, TOM PARKER says investing in the secondary user

Many African communication companies are now looking at the secondary market for telecoms equipment equipment market where previously used or surplus equipment is available at costs that are said to be significantly lower than the original OEM list price. is an option worth considering.

uelled by improved economic performance, using both 3G and WiMAX, or cable and data. smartphone penetration making the economics the last five years have seen Africa As the industry grows there is an ever- of expansion even more challenging. experience the highest increases in the increasing need for more capacity, and with Furthermore, the maintenance of existing Fglobal telecoms sector, with mobile subscriber the pressure to run converged core networks, networks, into which heavy investment has growth remaining the fastest in the world. operators are being challenged to cost-effectively already been poured, remains a high priority. Enormous investments have already been made upgrade legacy technology and deploy new When equipment fails, operators are often faced in the creation of nationwide 2G networks but 3G infrastructure – all with limited capex. with the ‘repair or replace’ dilemma in order to coverage typically remains confined to the main In particular, away from urban centres, access successfully run their network. urban centres, where the more affluent smartphone to data remains constrained. Operators face a One of the major drawbacks in repairing users are located. Many operators are also taking a high cost of expansion with insufficient backhaul equipment is the availability of spares. Once an multi-technology approach to reaching subscribers, infrastructure, limited power supply and lower OEM declares a part as ‘end of life’, operators

December 2014/January 2015 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 23

NAWC 1501 p23-24 (secondhand hardware) AM RN.indd 23 10/02/2015 15:21 Register to receive your free copy of this & other business magazines: FEATURE: BUYING USED HARDWARE www.kadiumpublishing.com

may be unable to identify a source of supply in the future. This can lead to huge unnecessary costs being spent on ‘last time’ buys of redundant equipment, ‘just in case’ equipment fails. Evolution of the secondary market

Over the last 10 to15 years, the secondary user mar- ket for telecoms equipment has evolved considerably. When it first emerged it was viewed by operators as being unreliable with questionable quality and frequently dismissed as an alternative to repair. For instance in Europe, where OEM contracts are more frequently relied on for all support (and particularly multi-vendor contracts), the adoption of the secondary market has been slower. But in the US, operators have been faster to adapt the advantages of this market. They have seen it as a way to challenge traditional repair and OEM support channels to reduce their operational costs for both maintenance and expansion. It is not uncommon for US operators to spend tens of millions of dollars supporting their networks with TXO says operators can get more value from their network assets by selling off legacy equipment or products sourced from the secondary user market. recycling hardware, such as these high grade telecom boards, for precious metals. Over the last five years there has been a significant shift in the perception of the market new network elements, or reduce opex when man- understand their own networks and the assets and the type of services being delivered. In aging the operation of existing networks. deployed. This enables complete lifecycle planning the past, there was an abundance of small When sourcing through the secondary market, of major asset purchases, whether used, or new. organisations with limited or no inventory that it is nearly always more cost effective to replace As the pace of change accelerates from country survived on product specific relationships in niche an asset rather than repair it to extend the life of a to country, equipment can be recovered from one divisions within operators. network. Furthermore, the replace decision can be part of the network and redeployed elsewhere. However, it is testament to the efforts of treated as a capex expense which could benefit the Reputable secondary equipment suppliers the leading suppliers that this perception has bottom line as an amortised and depreciated cost, and asset recovery specialists are able to support evolved. Operators now actively embrace those rather than coming from strapped operating budgets. the entire process – from identifying assets with organisations with inventory, and a variety of The secondary market is an ideal source for value and procurement of parts at optimal market value-added inventory management and asset ‘hard to find’ parts, many of which are available price, to recycling and redeploying on behalf of recovery solutions. on shorter lead times than those offered by the the operator. The secondary market is very much OEMs are accepting, rather than contesting, OEMs for brand new purchases. This enables driven by the inventory that is available and how this shift, and are selectively approving secondary telcos to operate a leaner supply chain for spare this is turned into revenue streams. user organisations with whom they can partner parts management. Delivering consistent ‘fair market value’ from with to drive down cost and reduce their reliance Visibility of equipment available in the the resale of redundant and obsolete assets is on traditional repair routes. It also allows secondary market is essential in order to extremely important for all operators. It is all secondary market providers to offer solutions that maximise potential capex and opex savings. too easy to over-value inventories which end up were previously out of scope – extend the life of Secondary market providers and resellers in parts being sold too cheaply and not meeting multi-vendor networks, and offer more dynamic who have immediate access to the global used expectation, or having parts priced too expensively solutions that grow the partnerships with global marketplace are able to offer risk assessment and which never sell. With operators and OEMs acting communication companies. valuable advice on whether operators are able to as both supplier and purchaser of equipment, it sustain their networks with surplus equipment is the responsibility of the larger and experienced Delivering cost-efficient networks that is available in the market at reduced cost, providers to use their own data and extensive either now or in the future. market history to ensure that a balanced and With telcos in Africa, cost is the key limiting sustainable solution is delivered. n factor in network expansion. Therefore, in recent Creating new revenue streams years their focus has inevitably turned towards Tom Parker, cost control and operational efficiency. Like their Many operators across EMEA are now VP of business US and European counterparts, many African appreciating that there is also value in equipment development, communication companies are now looking at the that has reached the end of its useful life in a TXO Systems secondary equipment market where previously network. Operators can extract further value used or surplus equipment is available at costs sig- from their network assets by selling off surplus nificantly lower than the original OEM list price. or legacy equipment to be re-used elsewhere or Rather than stock expensive and new spares recycled for precious metals. This has the further to mitigate the repair or replace dilemma, or advantage of generating additional income for purchase brand new infrastructure to patch net- investment back into the network, and/or can be Headquartered in the UK, TXO Systems aims to help work issues, the secondary market can be used to offset against the cost of new spares. its customers to responsibly and sustainably acquire, provide inexpensive and discrete equipment supply Whether seeking equipment for upgrades, redeploy, resell, and recycle technology assets, allowing solutions. This helps reduce capex when deploying repairs or replacements, operators must first fully them to generate revenues and reduce expenses.

24 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS December 2014/January 2015

NAWC 1501 p23-24 (secondhand hardware) AM RN.indd 24 05/02/2015 18:40 NAWC 1501 p25 (RFS).indd 1 10/02/2015 14:15 NAWC 1501 p26 (Mobile Show).indd 1 06/02/2015 15:03 INDUSTRY VIEW: DIGITAL PMR

Industries across the world have deployed DAMM’s de-centralised architecture to secure their mission- critical communications. For example, in harsh environments such as mining oil and gas, the vendor says its TetraFlex system has delivered integrated voice and data solutions based on a “true IP backbone”. Being open – the key to digital migration In a volatile global market, companies are being challenged to make productivity gains. Critical radio communications in PMR environments may offer opportunities for doing just that, according to ALLAN DETLEFSEN.

dvanced networks enable companies to in equipment such as terminals, applications and In some ways, it is similar to the days when capture major gains in collaboration, infrastructure, not to mention derived costs such as companies made the transition from being workforce productivity and asset cold rooms for central IT purposes. dependent on large computer systems to adopting Autilisation. According to consultancy firm But despite these challenges, upgrading should desktop computing and mobile PCs. The new McKinsey, improving production efficiencies by not be regarded as a bad thing. Like going from technologies simply allowed people to be far more upgrading to new digital capabilities can yield old mobile phones to smartphones, people quickly agile and productive. substantial productivity improvements in operations. discover they can do so much more with their digital Not only that, but executives quickly realised So why have so many companies not yet system and can communicate more efficiently. that it was a whole lot more cost effective to replaced their existing analogue systems with So here’s the key question: how will you upgrade PCs rather than huge computer systems newer, more advanced digital solutions? prioritise your critical radio communications spend as technologies and applications advanced. Upgrading installations and migrating to new to better run, grow and transform your business? In our experience, companies that have platforms is not without challenges. It requires time successfully pursued upgrades and replacement and investment; companies may have to apply for Centralised or de-centralised programmes for their PMR environments consider new frequencies; current installations have existing architecture? one of two approaches: should they choose a wired systems, equipment and components, so centralised or de-centralised system architecture? there remains considerable uncertainty about the Given the challenges, companies need to know the This is a fundamental issue. risk of deploying a digital communication system; best way to move forward and to ensure that their Centralised systems tend to require the largest and personnel may also need special training. critical radio communications network will remain upfront investment, both financially and in terms of What’s more, all this may require a big investment viable and relevant in the future. the time it takes to design, install and commission.

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Such architectures operate redundant servers, links and routing paths from a central control site. They FROM PIT TO PORT may require specific communication protocols and How a mining company unearthed the value of a de-centralised and secure open architecture solution. highly trained specialists to design the infrastructure to ensure a stable power supply, and provide housing Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) in Australia power, creating considerable savings. Since no as well as cooling for the units. is one of the world’s largest iron ore mining air conditioned housing is needed and power Additionally, centralised systems can be prone and export companies. It also runs its own consumption is extremely low, initial installation to failure because they depend on central switch/ railway which leads to Port Hedland in Western costs can also be kept to a minimum. control configurations from which units are shared. Australia’s Pilbara region. In mining, rail and port applications, DAMM This means that when a unit fails, the connection Today, FMG’s rail network includes a main claims that its TetraFlex system has proven to be to the central units can fail, and this can have a 300km route as well as a 130km branch line. “cost-effective and remarkably reliable”. It adds domino effect throughout the system. The company’s rail and mining infrastructure that the solution for FMG is only one among De-centralised systems offer a more flexible benefits significantly from DAMM’s distributed hundreds of successful projects that provide real option. They give companies the opportunity architecture because it has allowed it to scale in world proof that is durable and cost effective. to start small and then scale out in response to response to business requirements. “Installations from the hot climates of business requirements. Today’s de-centralised There are 25 nodes in the rail corridor alone Australia to the freezing mountains of Norway systems require a smaller initial investment and and, thanks to the low power consumption of have shown that this system, which has no fans do not need large engineering teams to design and the IP65 encapsulated outdoor DAMM Base or moving parts, keeps maintenance, repair and configure them. Moreover, they tend to be highly Station, many of the nodes are run on solar operations costs next to zero,” says the company. resilient in the face of the failure of a single unit because hardware resources are not shared. That means there is simply no single point of failure, so determine the initial scale of a deployment. With open to third-party applications. there is no risk of impact on neighbouring units. an open architecture, owners and operators can Thus an open architecture platform offers From a business perspective, de-centralised rapidly deploy their networks today and scale fast distinct benefits with regard to seamless integration architecture models mean higher availability and tomorrow to meet operational demands. capabilities with existing technologies. This helps greater continuity of service. And they have proven No special infrastructure protection, such as to avoid being locked in by technology choices, interoperability with other vendors’ equipment cool rooms, is needed with an outdoor solution. both past as well as future. and applications. According to many in the This means that when IP65-rated encapsulated industry, the de-centralised approach is preferred equipment is used, you know it is rugged and Smarter system thinking to mandating a single, centrally developed and built to withstand the most challenging outdoor controlled system across the network. conditions. All of this keeps upfront costs to a De-centralised networks give users layout freedom, minimum, and it means that investments can be vendor independence, and flexibility with a 100 The open architecture approach aligned with a company’s growth. per cent standard IP backbone. As coverage or The use of open gateways means the system capacity needs grow, additional base sites can be Companies with successful digital migration is vendor-neutral and can interface with other readily deployed and seamlessly ‘dropped’ into programmes think in terms of total lifecycle costs technologies. It enables an open architecture system the distributed IP architecture. Its standard IP and economics. The key to a de-centralised system to bridge between TETRA platforms via, for technology connects all network components (such as DAMM Cellular’s TetraFlex) is its plug example, the DAMM Group Bridge solution as well including indoor and outdoor base stations, and play simplicity for easy setup, fast deployment, as interface with analogue networks and terminals. dispatchers, network management facilities, and cost-effective scalability. Basically, it enables Additionally, TETRA over LTE is possible logging servers and external gateways in one state- companies to think big, start small and scale fast. operating through Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UMTS of-the-art intelligent distributed architecture. When planning a network, capacity and coverage (3G) and LTE networks, gaining full benefits of The use of intelligent software enables simple requirements are factored into dimensioning to broadband technologies. Plus, it keeps the system and self-configuring site expansion – even while the system is in operation. The entire user interface is Windows-based and has the same user interface many are familiar with, so no special training is required to use it. And from a purely practical perspective, an outdoor base station such as TetraFlex is so easy to deploy it only takes a single engineer (rather than an entire team) to mount the mast and ready the system for operation. Enterprise managers are constantly under pressure to reduce costs while simultaneously transforming their businesses with new critical radio communications opportunities. Industry experience and prudent risk management dictate that all your options be thoroughly investigated and, if possible, proven in small-scale implementations to begin with. Ultimately, it’s all about spending more on equipment that maximises the value critical radio communications delivers to your business, and less on things that don’t. Which may be the best Before migrating from analogue to digital, PMR users need to decide upon a centralised or de-centralised case yet for adopting a de-centralised approach to approach to their system architecture. critical radio communications. n

28 NORTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS December 2014/January 2015

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SES to expand capabilities in Asia

SES is planning to launch a VSAT customers, enabling a “seam- new hybrid, high throughput less” transition from NSS-6 to SES-12. satellite for Asia. In addition, the design provides The firm says SES-12 will expand its incremental growth capacity to capabilities to provide direct-to-home support new DTH platforms and broadcasting, VSAT, mobility, and other services targeting the Asia- data connectivity services in the APAC Pacific region, says the firm. region, including rapidly growing The second mission consists of markets such as India and Indonesia. An artist’s impression of 70 Ku- and 11 Ka-band spot beams. SES-12 will be positioned at 95°E SES-12 which is expected It’s claimed these high throughput from where SES claims it currently to launch during Q4 2017. beams will deliver more than 14GHz serves close to 20m DTH households for VSAT, enterprise, mobility and in India and Indochina. It will replace be equipped with an electric plasma “two distinct but complementary” government applications. the company’s existing NSS-6 and propulsion system for orbit raising missions. Firstly, there are 54 (36MHz This mission also includes a Digital be colocated with SES-8 when it’s and on-orbit manoeuvres. equivalent) transponders for tradi- Transparent Processor. This provides launched during Q4 2017. SES-12 is designed to operate for 15 tional wide beam coverage. SES says anti-jamming capabilities as well The new satellite will be built by years with a payload that includes 68 these will provide “state-of-the-art” as increased payload flexibility in Airbus Defence and Space using Ku- and eight Ka-band transponders. replacement and growth capacity for order to provide bespoke bandwidth the Eurostar E3000 platform. It will It will offer what SES describe as its existing DTH, government and solutions to customers. Getrak and Wyless partner Cummins to supply hybrid in Brazil’s M2M market power units in Myanmar Getrak and M2M value to the services we provide Irrawaddy Green Towers that IGT is rolling out throughout the specialist Wyless have to our customers by helping them (IGT) is using hybrid country during the coming months. teamed up to offer a fully managed save costs significantly through power solutions from Cummins “While there are no shortages end-to-end solution for device, cloud traffic data management tools and Power Generation in Myanmar. of renewable hybrid solution and managed connectivity across all multi-network capability such as the In 2013, Norway’s Telenor and providers, we chose Cummins four mobile operators in Brazil. Wyless Porthos platform. Qatar’s Ooredoo won licenses to Power Generation for their technical Getrak provides cloud-based “Together with Wyless we will launch Myanmar’s first mobile expertise as well as their local service tracking solutions to the country’s offer Getrak customers a full end- networks. Telenor has contracted capability and coverage,” said fleet and telematics markets. to-end solution for managed IGT (a joint venture between IGT CEO Charbel Abou-Jaoude. Working with Wyless Brazil telematics services.” VIOM/QUIPPO and Golden “Additionally, we were looking for a subsidiary Wyless TM Data, it aims The two companies also plan to Towers) to build and operate around partner who is as committed to the to create a ‘one-stop shop’ for device, extend services to other markets and 1,500 towers for its network which growth of this country as we are.” cloud and network services for its operators in South America. has since gone live. Cummins says that it is already a customers that together manage According to IDC, telematics Under the agreement, Cummins main supplier to Ooredoo, and this more than 250,000 vehicles. services account for nearly 40 per is supplying solar hybrid, battery new contract with IGT means it Getrak CEO Frederico Menegatti cent of Brazil’s M2M market which hybrid, and diesel generator systems will now power both mobile service says: “We want to generate more was valued at USD2bn last year. to more than 750 mobile tower sites providers’ networks in Myanmar. Vodafone’s 3G initiative gains support in rural areas Vodafone has teamed up installed on any number of buildings live and work in rural areas cannot be with the UK’s Countryside across the community to ensure over emphasised. Alliance and National Association of widespread mobile coverage. “Mobile phones are an essential Local Councils (NALC) to encourage During initial trials, the part of modern life, but many rural more communities to apply to its programme connected 12 rural businesses and families cannot be sure Rural Open Sure Signal programme. communities across the UK, from that they will be able to access their Vodafone’s programme is a the Shetland Islands off the coast of network when they need it most.” community-led initiative. It aims to Scotland to the county of Devon in The NALC represents 9,000 parish give 100 rural communities in poor southwest England. and town councils in England and mobile coverage locations across the The Countryside Alliance is a 80,000 councillors. Its chairman, UK the opportunity to receive 3G major campaigning organisation Ken Browse, adds: “We see fast mobile access. on rural issues in the UK. Its head broadband access as an essential A Vodafone Open Sure Signal unit Based on ‘open femto’ technology, of policy Sarah Lee says: “The need for the social and economic installed on a barn in the northern it uses units that are about the size of importance of good mobile phone well-being of neighbourhoods in rural England county of Cumbria. a domestic broadband box that can be and broadband coverage to those who areas as well as urban areas.”

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ST Teleport Elara goes over-the-top and Eutelsat team up with IDT Global calling app ST Teleport and Eutelsat are Elara Comunicaciones is combining their expertise to launching an international respond to high user demand calling app for customers in rural for connectivity solutions for data and and remote villages in south-eastern video services in Asia. Mexico. The company says the app ST Teleport is a provider of will make international phone calls full service satellite, fibre and IP simpler and less expensive. communications solutions, and Elara’s large-scale satellite network, operates a groundstation complex in implemented through a government Singapore (pictured below).Working project in south-east Mexico, provides with Eutelsat, it has completed the more than 3,000 towns with voice and Elara has VSATs installed in private and public companies throughout Mexico. installation of a new gateway at the data services. The network brings con- station that connects to EUTELSAT nectivity to citizens, schools, hospitals, label VoiceLine application allows busi- It also includes voicemail services 70B which is positioned at 70.5ºE. and other government institutions in nesses to create new forms of revenue and class 5 telephony features. The two firms say their new gateway the region for the first time. streams and gain new subscribers. Jonathan Nierenberg, IDT’s SVP is ready to serve data, maritime, media The CSP is deploying VoiceLine The app comes with both of business development, says: and entertainment clients across a from wholesale voice and payment unlimited and pay-§as-you-go calling “Our application has a simple user high-performance footprint spanning services provider IDT Global across plans, and works over both 3G interface which makes it easy for the south-east Asia. This includes its Wi-Fi network, enabling interna- and Wi-Fi networks. The firm says customer to use. Because of its low Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines tional calling via the app on mobile this enables customers to use their rates, our app offers customers great and Thailand, as well as Australia and devices. IDT says claims its white existing phone number and contacts. value for their money.” south-east Asian waters. It can also connect to EUTELSAT 70B’s African and European beams. Eutelsat claims its satellite has a Virtual DC secures Deutsche Post app “unique ability” to offer secure, Deutsche Post, said to be According to Interoute, SIMSme “We provide the world’s best data single hop connectivity between key Europe’s largest postal users are guaranteed complete control protection in accordance with strict business hubs, such as Singapore and service, is relying on a virtual over their personal information. It says German laws, without imposing Frankfurt or Singapore and Nairobi. data centre (VDC) from Interoute the ability to control which geographic additional expenses on the customer. For even broader reach across the for SIMSme, its new smartphone VDC zone or zones are used to host SIMSme is free of charge and as we APAC region, ST Teleport adds that messenger app. a user’s data ensures app data stay are not using this opportunity to fund it also has the option of tapping into Interoute says its VDC in Berlin within German national borders. the service through advertisements EUTELSAT 172A orbiting at 172ºE. provides the cloud infrastructure for the SIMSme is secured with end-to-end like other messenger app services, app and guarantees smooth operation, encryption which has been tested and it’s also free from advertisements.” regardless of how many people are approved by TÜV IT. In addition, the Interoute claims to own and oper- using it. The company claims it was app has a special feature that allows ate Europe’s largest cloud services plat- able to quickly scale up the computing the user to setup and trigger the auto- form. This encompasses more than infrastructure it provides to Deutsche matic self-destruction of confidential 67,000km of lit fibre, 12 data centres, Post, adding 30 times the initial com- messages after a few seconds. 10 VDCs and 31 collocation centres, puting power provisioned to meet the Marco Hauprich, Deutsche Post’s with connections to 195 additional rising demand for SIMSme. SVP of mobile and new media, says: third-party DCs across the continent. Indonesia’s fastest mobile service launched by Indosat Indosat has launched what’s Super 4G-LTE is part of its ongoing encouraging the growth of the local claimed to be Indonesia’s “network journey” that started with content industry through its young fastest LTE service, offering the Super 3G+ 7.2Mbps system in 2012 developer’s incubation programmes, subscribers speeds of up to 185Mbps. which was followed by the 20Mbps either via [Indosat Wireless Innovation The launch of Super 4G-LTE last Super WiFi service in eight cities. Contest] competitions or the Ideabox November followed on from the The telco says its digital strategy incubation programme,” says the firm. company’s network modernisation is dedicated to supporting mobile Indosat is the largest operating programme. This saw the rollout of its finance, education and e-commerce company in Qatar-based Ooredoo Super Internet service in 23 cities, using services, and also includes Group. In addition to mobile services U900 and DC-HSPA+ technology to “significant” investment to support in Indonesia, it also provides fixed offer speeds of up to 42Mbps. the local development of apps. line, data communications, internet, Indosat marked its 47th anniversary 2014 marked Indosat’s 47th “To continue enhancing Indonesia’s enterprise solutions, and satcoms via last year, and is the largest subsidiary anniversary. The company says tech ecosystem, Indosat is dynamically the Palapa-C2 and Palapa-D satellites. in the Qatar-based Ooredoo Group.

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Largest TD- TETRA network built for LTE network an earthquake zone China Mobile (CM) and Nokia Networks have an- The Venezuelan government Around 4,000 radios will be supplied, Hytera’s nounced a framework deal for equip- has chosen Hytera Mobil- including the vendor’s PT580H DIB-R5 ment and services worth USD970m. funk to supply and install a TETRA handhelds and MT680 mobile devices. TETRA base Under the terms of the deal signed system for the police in Caracas. Hytera says because Caracas is stations all last October, Nokia will provide 4G Working with its local partners in a region that is at very high risk have a TD-LTE technology including EPC APD and Cobra, the Germany- from earthquakes, redundancies were backup. and GSM hardware, software and based PMR specialist – which is a integrated into the network in case services to support the operator’s subsidiary of China’s Hytera – says it any base station should fail. ongoing 4G roll outs in 2015. will implement the latest generation The DIB-R5s all have a backup base Deliveries under the deal have TETRA technology. station which is placed at a different already begun, and by the end of The deployment will feature DIB-R5 location and can take over the radio 2014 CM said it had built the world’s TETRA base stations with support for coverage of the region if needed. The largest TD-LTE network with more TEDS (Tetra Enhanced Data Service), firm says that this ensures the system than 500,000 4G BSTs deployed. as well as the complete range of will be available at any time, even in Hytera’s TETRA product portfolio. the case of unforeseeable events. Telstra and Hypermart deploys PowaTag mobile Tata connect app to help maintain customer loyalty Telstra reckons its multi- national customers will One of Indonesia’s biggest 102 Hypermart stores in Indonesia. in-store promotional material and ads, benefit from “superior connectivity” retail groups plans to use The app will power coupon distri- both in print and online. to and from India thanks to a new mobile technology to support its bution and redemption for the HiCard Powa Technologies Group CEO network-to-network interconnection customer loyalty programme. customer loyalty programme which is Dan Wagner says: “No longer will (NNI) deal with Tata Communica- PT Matahari Putra Prima Tbk said to have grown to more than three [customers] have to seek out coupons tions. The NNI will utilise Tata’s 116 (MPPA) operates the Foodmart, million members and represents over and offers from newspapers, labori- PoPs, extending Telstra’s reach to Boston Health and Beauty, and 60 per cent of Hypermart’s sales. ously clipping and taking them into Tier 2 and Tier 3 Indian cities such Hypermart stores. It’s claimed that PowaTag is a mobile commerce the store. All that’s needed now is a as Jaipur, Surat and Trichy. Telstra the latter has the widest network solution that enables shoppers to quick capture of the PowaTag with says that by leveraging Tata’s domes- among hypermarket operators, with complete purchases anytime, any- their mobile, and numerous coupons tic infrastructure and global subsea 227 outlets in more than 60 cities where, simply by scanning tags on are instantly available to them.” fibre network, users will benefit from across the region. anything from products to billboards. Future phases of the deployment increased availability and reduced Working with mobile solutions It will be linked to the HiCard app include rollouts across Hypermart’s latency, giving them access to the provider PT Artomoro Prima which allows members to redeem entire store network, and additional business services they need. Internasional, MPPA will implement loyalty points using their mobiles. functionality such as location-based the PowaTag app from Powa They will also be able to acquire notifications, virtual shopping, and Technologies Group across 48 of its coupons and special offers by ‘tagging’ special offers. Passenger Wi-Fi system OBS to provide connectivity for Tesla cars Tesla Motors has chosen Musk, who is perhaps better known Government-owned Orange Business Services for establishing space transport Queensland Rail will use (OBS) to provide wireless connectivity services company SpaceX. an end-to-end Wi-Fi solution from to its fleet of Model S vehicles in France. OBS believes electric and connected Nomad Digital on 75 new trains. Using Orange’s mobile networks and cars are becoming an increasingly The six-car trains are being supplied SIM cards, Tesla will be able to offer accessible and desired means of by Bombardier to increase capacity its customers in France interactive transport in a market driven by both on commuter services in the navigation services, internet radio and environmental and social trends. “Not Australian state. Queensland Rail web browsing. OBS says it will also The interior of Tesla’s Model S. only do drivers and passengers want operates more than 7,000km of track be able to provide “seamless” remote OBS says today’s car drivers and safer and cleaner cars, but they want connecting Brisbane and regional diagnostics and over-the-air updates passengers want on-demand access to on-demand access to infotainment areas such as Cairns, Townsville, of M2M software. infotainment and navigation services. and navigation services,” it says. Rockhampton, Longreach and Tesla Motors is a manufacturer The company claims to be a “strong Charleville. Nomad claims the of electric vehicles and power to sustainable transport. The firm supporter” of sustainable transporta- passenger Wi-Fi system will be the train components, and its goal is was founded by South Africa born tion and launched its Smart Cities and largest in the southern hemisphere. to accelerate the world’s transition entrepreneur and inventor Elon Territories programme in 2011.

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