Moving Wireless Forwardtm

MARCH/APRIL 2017 southern african Volume 21 Number 6

Forwireless communications professionals in southern Africa COMMUNICATIONS

l Is African broadband all about fibre? l Connecting the education sector l Comparing MFS on both sides of the Indian Ocean

Moving Wireless ForwardTM

SAWC 1704 p1 (Cover) RN.indd 1 28/04/2017 18:10 SAWC 1704 p2 (FG Wilson).indd 1 28/04/2017 18:54 wirelesssouthern african CONTENTS COMMUNICATIONS

MARCH/APRIL 2017 southern african Volume 21 5 News review Number 6 MARCH/

Forwireless communications professionals in southern Africa COMMUNICATIONS APRIL 2017 > Vodacom demos critical comms over LTE l Is African broadband all about fibre? > BBOXX to use Aeris IoT for clean energy l Connecting the education sector l Comparing MFS on both sides of the Indian Ocean Volume 21 > Launch success for Iridium at last Number 6 > Managed service from Thaicom and Intersat > More spectrum needed for IoT and 5G – DSA 10 News > CETel boosts capacity with Arabsat

Moving Wireless ForwardTM > First Intelsat HTS for Africa goes live SAWC 1704 p1 (Cover) RN.indd 1 28/04/2017 18:10 16 Wireless solutions > Gazprom scores big with satellite connectivity > Mastercard aims to create cashless continent Mobile Mark is a leading supplier of innovative, high-performance antennas to 13 Wireless business wireless companies across the globe. They > Motorola alleges Hytera patent infringement have been in the wireless industry for over 30 years and have roots in the early 16 Wireless solutions Cellular trials. > Myriad Connect service targets SIM-swap fraud 24 Wireless users The company design and manufacture antennas from 138 MHz–6.0 GHz. Features: Applications include public transit, 20 Fibre commercial trains, smart highways, > DAVE HOWELL wonders whether fibre can mining, utilities, remote monitoring, deliver universal broadband access across Africa. machine-to-machine (M2M), and the Internet of Things (IOT). Antenna styles 29 Industry view 24 Wireless users include omni-directional and directional > How operators and service providers are infrastructure antennas for network rollout; helping schools and educators. multiband mobile antennas for fleet management; low-profile and embedded 29 Industry view antennas for M2M/IOT applications. > NITIN MADHAVAN looks at the trends in mobile financial services and telecoms. Mobile Mark antennas are manufactured in the USA and UK. Their responsive 32 World news manufacturing capabilities and production > EU approves ‘digital dividend’ controls ensure that antennas are > Chile sees first regional NarrowBand IoT delivered on time and to spec. Their > Asian operators gain 5G headstart experienced engineering design group > ‘Not-spots’ eliminated at Sky can take a project from initial concept > 5G to deliver benefits ‘twice as fast as fibre’ 33 World news through to final production. They also > UROS connects smart water grid with IoT offer in-house engineering design and RF testing facilities for custom designs. SUBSCRIPTIONS: of control can purchase an annual Southern African Wireless Communications is subscription at the cost of £110. a controlled circulation bi-monthly magazine. For more information and general enquiries To find out more about Mobile Mark, Register now for your free subscription at please contact Suzanne Thomas at turn to page 12. www.kadiumpublishing.com [email protected] Readers who do not qualify under the terms or call +44 (0) 1932 886 537. Mobile Mark Europe Ltd 8 Miras Business Park, Hednesford EDITORIAL: ADVERTISEMENT SALES: WS12 2FS, UK Editorial director: Rahiel Nasir Sales executive: Paul Barrett Designer: Alan McClenaghan [email protected] Tel: +44 1543 459555 Contributors: Dave Howell Tel: +44 (0) 1932 481732 Fax: +44 1543 459545 Nitin Madhavan [email protected] Publishing apprentice: Jennifer Coates www.mobilemark.com Editorial enquiries: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1932 481729 [email protected] Production & circulation: Production: Suzanne Thomas Publishing director: Kathy Moynihan [email protected] +44 (0) 1932 481730 Tel: +44 (0) 1932 481728

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SAWC 1704 p3 (Contents) RN NEW.indd 3 11/05/2017 11:53

Vodacom demos LTE critical comms Vodacom says it has successfully to construct and maintain, the user improve the performance of existing demonstrated the first broadband terminals are expensive and have limited mission and business critical services multimedia trunking solution for variety, and the network technology is such as PTT. critical comms users on a commercial often proprietary and inflexible.” More importantly, the operator says LTE network in Africa. The firm believes these issues can be it can also support new broadband It used Huawei’s LTE integrated overcome by using a broadband public multimedia trunking services such Trunked Radio Application (LiTRA) to trunking communications system as push to video, real-time video demonstrate the solution which ran on such as the one it demonstrated. It surveillance, high resolution photos its nationwide, commercial 4G network. says LiTRA overcomes the challenges and location based services. It adds The operator says traditional private of using a public LTE network for that the solution it demonstrated was mobile radio network technologies critical communication by prioritising fully compliant with 3GPP standards. (such as TETRA) mainly provide basic emergency comms with a higher Furthermore, the service is voice trunking services such as PTT QoS and also ensures encryption and compatible with existing consumer and cannot support new, innovative, security of these messages. LTE smartphones and new rugged high-speed data services such as Vodacom says LiTRA enables its LTE devices, and does not restrict the Applications such as real-time video video and multimedia services. entire LTE network to be leveraged user terminals to exclusive providers can be supported on existing consumer According to Vodacom: “These to provide high bandwidth and as is the case with traditional PMR smartphones and rugged LTE devices. traditional PMR networks are expensive low latency trunking capabilities to network technologies. Regulators IoT to help deliver clean energy to millions BBOXX and Aeris are collaborating in the world on a simple plug-and- management and device- connectivity sign tech to deliver clean energy to millions of play basis, removing the necessity to management over each SIM’s lifecycle. people living in off-grid communities configure local network settings. The company adds that Aeris’ global in the developing world. Aeris will also provide its AerPort support of major mobile standards such agreement UK company BBOXX designs, connectivity management platform for as GSM, CDMA and LTE, means that The Independent Communications manufactures, distributes and finances IoT devices. This will give BBOXX it will be able to deploy its devices across Authority of South Africa (ICASA) plug and play solar systems. Its core real-time access to data usage, alert the world as it looks to expand. and the National Communications products are a range of solar ‘battery Institute of Mozambique boxes’ that allow users to power small (Autoridade Reguladora Das appliances, from lights and mobile Communicações) have entered into phones to TVs and computers. a technical agreement. US-based M2M specialist Aeris offers The two bodies will cooperate and IoT connectivity in East and Central coordinate in respect of spectrum Africa. The collaboration between the management for telecoms and two will ensure that the battery boxes broadcasting services. They will also have reliable IoT connectivity and establish a technical committee to can be remotely monitored. address matters of common interest BBOXX will install Aeris’ global on radio frequency coordination. SIM at the point of manufacture, Under the agreement, ICASA thereby reducing both supply-chain and ARDC plan to work together to costs and deployment time. BBOXX control and manage, amongst other adds that by utilising Aeris’ single things, radio transmission spillovers, global access point name, its solar the exchange of information, and system can also be deployed anywhere BBOXX’s solar ‘battery boxes’ can power domestic appliances such as TVs. expertise in the field of radio comms. The partnership is the culmination of an agreement entered into by the two governments in June 2015. Zimbabwe sees its first Tier II data centre This aims to find new approaches TelOne has launched what’s said to be mobile converged company with claims customers will benefit from IT and strategies for consolidating, Zimbabwe’s first Tier III data centre. It emphasis on broadband, cloud and cost savings of between 15 and 35 per expanding and deepening areas of unveiled two new mirrored facilities digital services. cent when they migrate from a silo economic development, industrial, in Harare and Mazoe in late March. The operator claims its data centre data centre to its integrated service. and trade cooperation between Built at a cost of USD4m, they are facilities offer a one-stop shop with a The Tier III facility promises Mozambique and South Africa. part of the state’s National Broadband range of services that include rack and 99.98 per cent uptime (1.6 hours “It is our commitment as regulators project and were funded by the server space rental, colocation, disaster downtime a year) and is backed by to make expertise, infrastructure USD98m loan arranged with China’s recovery, backup and storage, bandwidth UPS systems, on-site generators and and equipment available to assist Export Import Bank two years ago. rental, and diverse cloud services. battery power. It is also said to feature each other on regulatory matters,” TelOne says it is in the process of Ring fibre connectivity links user next-generation firewall protection, said ICASA acting chairperson transforming its business model from branches to the data centre via VPN along with biometric, multi-tier Rubben Mohlaloga. a fixed landline provider to a fixed or dedicated leased IP lines. TelOne physical security systems.

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SAWC 1704 p5 (News) NEW FILE RN.indd 5 02/05/2017 16:34 Register here for your free digital edition NEWS http://kadiumpublishing.com/forms/africa/sawc_reg.htm

Launch success for Iridium In what it describes as “one of the 2017. They were delivered to a new orbiters will be positioned near biggest tech refreshes” in history, 625km temporary parking orbit a current generation Iridium satellite, Iridium has finally launched the first where they are currently undergoing each moving at around 17,000 miles satellites that will eventually replace tests. Once they have passed, the per hour as testing begins. Iridium and enhance its existing network satellites are expected to be moved says “unique” inter-satcom links from of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites into their 780km operational orbit nearby satellites will be repositioned spanning the entire globe. some time in April. to point to the new NEXT spacecraft The first 10 satellites that comprise These first 10 satellites are the start as it prepares to take over service. Iridium’s NEXT constellation were of what the company claims will be Existing satellites will eventually be originally due to be launched by the largest commercial fleet in space, de-boosted and de-orbited. SpaceX last September (see News, Aug- providing 100 per cent truly global The second launch was expected in Sep, 2016). But the loss of Spacecom’s communications coverage. mid-April but this has now been moved AMOS-6 on the launchpad (ibid.) has Over the next 18 months, SpaceX to mid-June following continuing A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts-off with resulted in a backlog in Spacecom’s will carry out seven more launches delays at SpaceX. The entire Iridium the first 10 LEO satellites for Iridium’s schedule. Iridium’s satellites were for Iridium, deploying ten NEXT NEXT network is scheduled to be NEXT constellation. eventually launched on 14 January satellites at a time. One-by-one, these completed by mid-2018. Managed satellite network Expansion of high- service offering for Africa performance broadband Asian satellite operator Thaicom has Intersat and Thaicom add that Liquid Telecom will introduce Engineering work is now under teamed up with Intersat to launch a the service will deliver “reliable Intelsat’s high-performance EpicNG way and Liquid is expected to begin managed satellite network service for and secure communications with a satellite services into its network. using the Intelsat platform at the end African enterprises and governments. rugged network infrastructure and a As part of the new multi-year of July. The solution features ground The platform will use capacity quick turnaround time”. agreement, the firm has committed networking kit based on Newtec’s from THAICOM 6/AFRICOM 1 Thaicom CCO Patompob (Nile) to dedicated services on the Intelsat Dialog VSAT platform, including which orbits at 78.5ºE. Intersat will Suwansiri says: “We have been 33e high-throughput satellite (HTS) technology developed under the manage the end-to-end service from working hard to stay ahead of the which is now live (see News, p9). ESA-funded Project Indigo announced its teleport and NOC in Nairobi curve by offering flexible, cost- By taking advantage of Intelsat’s earlier by Intelsat and Newtec. which features iDirect’s Evolution effective, end-to-end satellite services HTS system, Liquid says it will be Furthering the relationship between hub technology. to our customers in Africa.” able to deliver more bandwidth with the companies, Liquid has been The two partners say their new Hanif Kassam, CEO of Intersat, greater efficiency to meet the growing awarded a three-year contract from offering provides a fully managed, reckons his firm’s “proven” managed needs of businesses across Africa. Intelsat to provide fibre backhaul customised turnkey service. When service platform has taken a leap The operator says EpicNG and uplinking services from its South combined with THAICOM 6/ forward by taking advantage of services will expand its coverage Africa teleport. This will be integrated AFRICOM 1’s “powerful” beams Thaicom’s experience as an end-to- and network capabilities across into the IntelsatOne network as over Africa, they claim the platform end satellite service provider, and the DRC, Kenya, Malawi, South Intelsat extends its managed services leverages high degrees of efficiency what he describes as its “powerful” Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia platform into Africa. to deliver cost-effective and C- band coverage across Africa. and Zimbabwe, where demand has The gateway service will competitive managed services Intersat and SES boost pan-continental grown for VSAT technology to deliver enable Intelsat to accelerate the to its customers. internet – News p11. connectivity to underserved rural areas. introduction of EpicNG services. Tigo launches Tanzania’s first “state-of-the-art” call centre Tigo has opened a new call centre in With 100 per cent CRM monitoring and operations outsourcing Tanzania, and claims it is the first of of customer satisfaction, Tigo boasts worldwide. The company will offer its kind in the country. that its customer service is expected Tigo customers both a traditional The operator has migrated its facility to “rocket sky high”. voice call centre as well as new from E1 to SIP (Session Initiation The call centre operates 24 hours digital customer service solutions Protocol) technology. It says this allows and can serve 55,000 customers daily, that include social media, e-chat and for a wide range of functionality and every day of the week. Tigo reckons email. It plans to employ more than offers the agility necessary to service its that by hosting such high volumes of 500 people to support local talent. growing subscriber base which currently customers, the centre will also provide Tigo MD Diego Gutierrez reckons call Tigo MD Diego Gutierrez said: includes 10 million customers. an ideal platform to receive and centre agents are ready to provide “Our business partners and customers The centre is also said to feature respond to customer feedback. “excellence” in customer service. can now look forward to receiving embedded data security measures to It adds that the facility aims to the most advanced customer care protect customer information and escalate customer queries every two reducing call queues. The centre is available in the country, buttressed by identity, and a USSD/SMS platform hours and provide swift resolution to supported by the PCCI Group which professional call centre agents ready to for query follow-up and escalation. customer queries, thereby drastically specialises in customer experience provide excellence in customer service.”

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Peering at More spectrum needed NAPAfrica As part of its aim to become a major IP transit for IoT and 5G, warns DSA and MPLS player in sub-Saharan Moving society from “spectrum The DSA’s president worked together with Microsoft to Africa, Angola Cables has chosen scarcity” to “spectrum abundance” Kalpak Gude launch successful TVWS pilots across NAPAfrica as its peering point. IP is the only way to maximise the true believes there is an the continent. For example, C3 and product manager Darwin Costa potential of 5G and IoT, according to increasing industry Microsoft were recently involved with a says peering with NAPAfrica enables the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA). focus on efficient and project with the UNHCR in the Dzaleka Angola Cables to reduce latency and Kalpak Gude, who was appointed as effective spectrum Refugee Camp in Malawi. Here, last- increase bandwidth throughput, as the alliance’s president last November, management. mile connectivity using TVWS technol- well as increase overall connectivity said: “As the demand for connectivity ogy is bringing internet connectivity performance on the continent: increases, the emphasis is being placed which was held in Bogota, the DSA says to the camp’s 28,000 refugees. “We want to use peering as a tool on efficient and effective spectrum Colombia’s regulator has submitted a “Regulators play a key role in spec- to keep traffic paths local and management. Dynamic access proposal to develop rules for license- trum management decisions that drive throughput as high as possible.” technology, coupled with unlicensed exempt access to TVWS technology. investment in new wireless technolo- spectrum, will help in driving the The alliance believes this will not only gies,” said Gude. “These regulatory necessary availability and innovation.” enable the efficient use and management decisions help create the canvas upon New licenses Gude was speaking as regulators of spectrum TV bands in the country, which wireless internet access solu- from around the world are set to attend but would also bring connectivity to tions are drawn. We look forward to the fifth annual DSA Global Summit its most remote areas. open discussions on spectrum policies and rules which this year takes place in Cape In Africa, DSA members such as from regulators and industry leaders The Lesotho Commu- Town in May. Since the 2016 summit, Adaptrum, 6Harmonics and C3 have from around the world.” nications Authority (LCA) has invited interested firms to apply for individual licenses in the categories of Network Services HTS to boost eProcess’ banking network and Network Infrastructure. The eProcess International will use a high network to address increasing patibility of EpicNG and the higher authority has not released further throughput satellite (HTS) platform to transaction volumes for its customers. efficiency of the spot beams, Intelsat details but says the closing date for expand and strengthen its corporate Its HTS solution uses Intelsat’s says the bank is able to accommo- submission of applications is 18 banking services throughout Africa. EpicNG C-band spot beam capacity date its growing bandwidth demand August 2017. Separately, the LCA The company, which is a that will be available on IS-35e which across its pan-continental network. has also started a review of the subsidiary of pan-African banking is on schedule for launch during Claude Edmond Traoret, group current licensing framework and conglomerate Ecobank Group, the second quarter of this year. manager for technology services at regulatory fees. It has developed connects head offices and affiliates The satellite will feature C-band eProcess, adds: “Our banking and draft rules aimed at aligning regula- across 27 countries in Africa, spot beams as well as Ku-band mining customers across Africa tions, evolving technology and enabling banking transactions and coverage for Africa. The capacity will truly benefit from these latest developmental imperatives, and has corporate data exchanges through will complement eProcess’ existing improvements, as Intelsat EpicNG invited comments. its network. Given the growth in network which is based on wide enables us to deliver over 30 per cent commerce across the continent, beam C-band connectivity on IS-903. more throughput, driving improved Spectrum eProcess sought to enhance its Leveraging the backwards com- economics within our business model.” fee review Arabsat expands capacity for CETel The Communications CETel has upgraded its extended supplying the designated space segment Regulatory Authority C-band service from Arabsat to from Arabsat-5C which orbits at 20ºE. of Namibia is introducing new meet increasing demand in the raw With more than 50MHz of C-band on regulations on spectrum fees. CRAN material extraction sector. Arabsat-5C extended, CETel says it will CEO Festus K. Mbandeka said the Based in Germany, CETel is a global deliver connectivity to rural areas in fees have not changed since 2007 and provider of satellite, fibre and wireless- many countries, especially Mali, Niger, a review was necessary to assess the enabled communications solutions. It is Nigeria, DRC and South Africa. inflationary impact on cost recovery working with Arabsat to jointly deliver In announcing the upgrade in in respect of operational activities reliable and economic managed end-to- March, CETel MD Guido Neumann and capital investment pertaining to end services across Africa for the oil and said: “CETel expands this customer spectrum management. Furthermore, gas, mining and construction industries. network serving up to 200Mbps to he said CRAN is aiming to achieve The two companies have been long-term critical and sensitive operations in simplicity by ensuring the new strategic partners. For instance in 2015, the natural resources industry. The charges are easy to understand, they built an Earth station which uses increased bandwidth demand is practical, and incur minimised a 9.3m antenna at CETel’s teleport in realised via a hub-based solution from In 2015, Arabsat and CETel built an collection costs. The new fees are due Ruppichteroth near Bonn. our teleport in Germany, providing Earth station which uses a 9.3m to come into force on 1 January 2018. As part of the upgrade, Arabsat is dedicated as well as shared services.” antenna at CETel’s teleport.

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Intelsat extends EpicNG with IS-33e Intelsat has now gone live with what it but this was delayed due to a malfunction Intelsat says the new spacecraft will MultiChoice, Vodacom, Telkom claims to be the first multi spot beam, in the primary thruster which meant enable the delivery of enterprise-grade, South Africa, amongst others. Ku-band, high throughput satellite (HTS) orbit raising took longer than originally broadband services to fixed and mobile Intelsat’s first satellite to use service for the EMEA, APAC, Medi- planned. The satellite eventually network operators, aeronautical and its EpicNG HTS system was 29e terranean and Indian Ocean regions. entered service on 29 January 2017. maritime mobility service providers which went live with services for Intelsat 33e was successfully launched Manufactured by Boeing, Intelsat 33e and government customers. the Americas in March 2016. The last August and is the second satellite to is said to be equipped with the “most Some of the African customers company says its EpicNG global use Intelsat’s EpicNG high throughput advanced” HTS payload design that committed to Intelsat 33e’s vast footprint will be completed with system. It was due to enter service at the is also “exceptionally flexible”. geographic coverage include Orange additional launches over 2017-18. This end of last year (see News, Jun-Jul 2016), From its orbital location of 60°E, Cameroon, Djibouti Telecom, Africell, includes 35e in the next few weeks. Microsoft and Liquid partner for African cloud Microsoft and Liquid Telecom have joined forces to accelerate the use of cloud services across Africa. The companies say businesses across the continent have traditionally been slower adopters of cloud services, particularly in areas with limited ICT infrastructure. As well as the delivery of cloud services, their joint effort will also focus on SMB development, and the enablement of a TVWS technology and partner ecosystem to provide further connectivity across Africa. By combining Liquid ’s fibre network reach – which now spans more than 40,000km across 12 countries – with Microsoft’s business solutions, the partners say they will bring the cloud closer to the end user. They reckon this will enhance business potential and enable startups and home-grown operations to be more productive and efficient. “Cloud computing is still gaining momentum on the continent, but we believe it has the potential to transform the way businesses of all sizes operate,” says Ben Roberts, group CTO, Liquid Telecom. “Through better connectivity, faster internet and secure cloud offerings, businesses will have the platforms and tools they need to grow and succeed. ” Part of the project, ‘Business in a Box’, will offer SMBs a cloud-based toolkit of relevant applications, cloud services and connectivity.

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Gazprom scores big with satellite connectivity Gazprom Space System’s (GSS) covers sub-Sahara Africa. Gazprom says next year’s FIFA World Cup Finals. Yamal-402 satellite has been kept busier it will work with Equinoxe on further In separate news late last year, Gilat Cameroon clinched their fifth title after in Africa over the past few months. plans to develop business for full-time Satellite Networks (GSN) has also defeating seven-time champions Egypt In mid-February, the Russian and occasional use TV broadcasting. struck a deal with Gazprom to use in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final. operator announced that the satellite’s As the winner of the Africa Cup Yamal-402’s Southern Beam to deliver capacity was used for the 2017 Africa of Nations, Cameroon will now services based on its SkyEdge II-c GSS director general Dmitry Cup of Nations football tournament participate in the Confederation Cup technology in sub-Sahara Africa. Sevastiyanov said: “The partnership with that was held in Gabon at the start of held in Russia in June 2017. Gazprom’s Initially, the capacity will be used to Gilat will further enforce our presence in the year. This event was broadcast by Yamal-202 will be used to arrange implement broadband connectivity in the African market and will also involve Equinoxe Televison Cameroun using backup links for TV broadcasting of schools and deliver services to mobile enhancement of telecommunication Yamal-402’s Southern Beam which Confederation Cup games as well as operators in rural Ghana. infrastructure in Africa.” Zamtel 4.5G Smartphone re-use drives launch digital inclusion programme Zamtel has launched a 4.5G Facebook has appointed HYLA Devices collected through Smart LTE-2300 network in Zambia’s Mobile to collect high-end Restart and refurbished by HYLA Copperbelt Province. smartphones for re-distribution are being donated to 120 community The government-owned telco in emerging markets as part of health workers (CHWs). Supported claimed the deployment is a “crucial its Smart Restart initiative. The by Christian Aid Kenya and the step” that will allow it to offer programme seeks to underline Kenyan Ministry of Health, the innovative high-definition services the company’s commitment to CHWs will use the phones to register HYLA Mobile runs global operation to customers in the province, and sustainability while driving digital pregnant women, receive automated centres to extend the lifecycle of mobile will help it attain its vision to be the inclusion in underserved parts of antenatal care visit reminders, report devices. It says the global secondhand market’s technology innovation leader. the world. danger signs, and track deliveries. market is worth around USD17bn. According to Zamtel, the network It’s claimed the re-distribution of They will also register new-born will enable it to offer its fixed devices will have a major impact in babies and receive immunisation and re-commerce. It says the global network subscribers significantly many parts of Africa where device reminders to ensure that children are secondhand device market is worth higher data speeds. The 4.5G LTE- affordability is a major barrier to receiving necessary and life-saving around USD17bn. The company 2300 technology has been rolled out mobile broadband adoption. vaccinations. All the data collected claims to use “sophisticated” in Kitwe, Kalulushi, Chambishi, For example in Kenya, Facebook will integrate directly into the technology across its global operation Chingola, Chililabombwe, has been working with Medic Mobile Ministry of Health’s reporting tools. centres to extend the lifecycle of Mufulira and Solwezi. to get smartphones to frontline US-based HYLA Mobile mobile devices in the “most secure” Speaking at a launch event in health workers in Isiolo County. specialises in mobile device recycling manner possible. Kitwe late last year, transport and communications minister Brian Mushimba said the network rollout is part of the advanced delivery of WIOCC supports lion conservation the Universal Access Phase 2 Project that the government is implementing WIOCC has donated much-needed KWS through multiple activities and together with Zamtel and Huawei drugs and consumables worth initiatives, starting at a global telecoms Technologies. He said: “The success- KES500,000 (USD4,860) to the industry event in Chicago last May. ful implementation of this project by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Following this initial support, he Zamtel signifies the transformation of WIOCC, which describes itself as wanted to see how WIOCC could the ICT industry on the Copperbelt, “Africa’s carriers’ carrier”, has its main partner with KWS moving forward. redefines internet services, and opens office in Nairobi, and its CEO Chris “Out of this came [the] donation up numerous opportunities in ICT.” Wood says the continent’s wildlife of additional anaesthetic drugs and In separate news, Zamtel has has always been dear to his heart. medical consumables for use by also launched its ConnectedCar, In late March 2016, Mohawk, a veterinarians during wildlife rescues. fleet management service. It allows 13-year-old lion with a distinctive black The hope is that this will help prevent owners or fleet managers to view mane, was shot dead after straying away similar tragedies from occurring in their vehicles current locations in real from the Nairobi National Park and the future,” says Wood. time and track where they have been WIOCC CEO Chris Wood (right) presenting before a suitably-equipped veterinary KWS says WIOCC’s donation will on their computers or phones via the some of the veterinary drugs to KWS team could reach him. As a result, help support the work it is doing to ConnectedCar responsive web portal. deputy director Edwin Wanyonyi. Wood began raising funds for the protect and conserve lions.

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Creating Africa’s cashless society Mastercard promises to “empower” It claims Masterpass QR (Quick in-store purchases by scanning a QR on the continent to see the launch more than 150,000 micro, small and Response) combats these challenges in code displayed at the checkout on their of Masterpass QR last September medium enterprises (MSMEs) in a “simple and user-friendly” manner, smartphones, or by entering a merchant following a partnership with the Kenya this year by giving them access helping to stimulate the economy by identifier into their feature phones. Ecobank Trans International Group. to its Masterpass QR system. digitising a sector previously solely Masterpass QR can be used at any Mastercard’s global goal is to The company says MSMEs have dependent on cash-based transactions. supported location across Africa. As connect 40 million micro and small traditionally struggled with the cost of In Kenya, the company began well as Kenya, the system is already merchants to its electronic payments installing payment infrastructure such introducing its mobile solution via available in Rwanda, Tanzania, network by the end of 2020. By then, it as POS devices, as well as with issues various mobile banking applications Uganda and Ghana, as well as in says Masterpass QR will have been rolled of security surrounding payment. in February. Consumers can pay for Nigeria which was the first market out to 33 countries across Africa. Intersat boosts pan- continental internet Intersat is delivering internet services across Africa following the signing of a multi-year capacity agreement with SES. Based in Dubai, Intersat also has offices in Kenya and South Sudan and is said to be one of the largest providers of internet solutions on the continent. It will use the NSS-12 satellite located at 57ºE to deliver broadband connectivity to businesses and consumers. The agreement includes a new C-band capacity lease, infrastructure services out of SES’ Betzdorf teleport, and a renewal of upgraded Ku- band capacity out of the Djibouti Teleport. The latter is managed by BringCom and has been used by SES since 2014 after it installed a nine-metre Ku-band antenna and hub equipment at the site. Intersat will also use the Enterprise+ service to deliver high-speed broadband connectivity across the continent. SES says this managed, ready-to-deploy, customised satellite connectivity solution provides carrier grade services and enables a range of applications including connectivity for ERP, VPN, VoIP services, remote data traffic, etc. Hanif Kassam, executive director of Intersat, says: “With the new and upgraded capacity and customised connectivity platform on NSS- 12, combined with an extensive teleport infrastructure, we will be able to offer truly differentiated services to our customers.”

March/April 2017 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 11

SAWC 1704 p10-11 (News) RN.indd 11 02/05/2017 11:40 Moving Wireless Forward Mobile Mark is a leading supplier of innovative, current major projects for National Express, West high performance antennas to wireless companies Midlands, UK.” across the globe. We’ve been in the wireless industry for over 30 years and have our roots Remote Monitoring & Surveillance in the early Cellular trials. We have grown and Surveillance plays an important role in maintaining evolved over the years, along with the industry. secure settings. Network deployments need to be low We are now looking for maintenance and weather resistant. Broadband surface Today, we benefit from enhanced design capabilities distributors throughout Africa mounts offer flexibility for multi-frequency coverage and expanded production capacity – along with and are rugged and dependable. YAGI antennas a greater understanding of new and emerging Commercial Fleet Management provide practical point-to-point coverage. Our antenna markets – all of which have allowed us to become Mobile Mark has consistently lead the industry solutions are designed to handle tough conditions one of the best antenna developers in our field. with the most extensive and innovative range of while providing the reliable wireless connection antenna solutions that combine multiple wireless you would expect from a Mobile Mark antenna. Our customers have been our partners throughout technologies: from simple GPS & Cellular antennas the years. We believe in taking the time to to complex 6-cable antennas combining LTE MIMO, Mining & Exploration understand our customers’ individual needs. WiFi MIMO, DSRC and GNSS in the same antenna Modern mining operations rely on a battalion Through close consultation with clients, we are housing. This combination of wireless technologies of vehicles, ranging from massive extraction able to deliver innovative, tailored solutions that allows fleet owners to track and/or redirect their vehicles to modest-sized material transport trucks. meet specific antenna requirements. fleets of cars and trucks for optimum efficiencies. These vehicles operate in tough environments Mobile Mark antennas are rugged enough to where high vibration is a frequent wear and tear Rapid prototyping capabilities allow us to take our handle tough environments and efficient enough challenge. Mining companies throughout Africa designs from concept to reality in an extremely short to maintain reliable connections. have relied on our rugged, foam-filled mobile time span, and to verify the performance of the antenna. antennas for consistent connections. Mobile A variety of network analyzers and an anechoic chamber Public Transit & Bus Management Mark’s infrastructure antennas have been used for enable us to conduct measurements up to 13 GHz, From monitoring the location of the bus to monitoring rapid deployment and redundancy coverage for and ensure that the antennas designed meet or the condition of its tires, wireless has become an effective wireless coverage in isolated settings. exceed customer requirements. essential part of professional bus management. Mobile Mark’s multiband antennas allow the Smart Cities & Smart Highway We have onsite injection molding equipment and system to capture that information and transmit it For cities and highways, the lynchpin of a successful a fully equipped modeling shop staffed with skilled back to a central monitoring station with real-time “Smart” system will be dependable wireless connections. model makers to assist in the design phase and help connectivity. For an added touch, real-time WiFi Companies like Kapsch understand this, and have us come up with a superior product – an antenna service can also be added for the passengers. That’s worked with Mobile Mark to find ideal antenna that not only meets the customer’s electrical why companies like INIT have selected Mobile Mark solutions. Wireless networks must reach seamlessly specifications, but is also very attractively packaged. antenna to complete their product offerings. And into hard-to-cover corners of city intersections and they have made the following endorsement: along vast expanses of highways. They must be Mobile Mark antennas are used in many sectors of carefully embedded in city lighting and electrical the wireless industry. Here are just a few examples: “INIT GmbH – as a worldwide leading supplier meters. Mobile Mark offers both small network of integrated planning, dispatching, telematics infrastructure as well as embedded antenna elements Asset Tracking & RFID and ticketing systems for buses and trains – uses to help network designers tie all the pieces together. Managing and tracking important assets can be Mobile Mark bus antennas in public transportation a challenge in the field, and both RFID and WiFi projects all over the globe. Let us know how we can help offer effective wireless solutions. RFID / WiFi technology allows us to identify, monitor and For example: INIT has installed Mobile Mark antennas We understand the RF wireless world and are ready to track items ranging from medicine to fruit to in projects located in Abu Dhabi, Hertfordshire help you evaluate your options. Contact us by email, parcels to people. Since each application has its UK, Turku Finland, Oslo Norway, Montreal Canada, phone or fax and let us know how we can help. own challenges, Mobile Mark offers a range of Luxembourg, as well as several German projects. antennas so network developers can choose Mobile Mark Europe Ltd the right mix. In 2017, a fleet of more than 1,500 buses will have 8 Miras Business Park, Keys Park Rd. Mobile Mark Antennas installed in one of INIT`s Hednesford, Staffs. WS12 2FS, United Kingdom Email: [email protected] www.mobilemark.com Tel: (+44) 1543 459 555 | Fax: (+44) 1543 459 545

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Motorola Solutions accuses Hytera of patent infringement In a complaint filed with the US it says are “infringing products”, and its pattern of legal manoeuvring But Mark Hacker, general counsel International Trade Commission a cease-and-desist order to stop the instead of competing with Hytera in and chief administrative officer of (ITC) in late March, Motorola marketing and sale of these in the US. the marketplace. By waiting to file Motorola Solutions, said: “Hytera Solutions claimed China’s Hytera In a statement issued during its ITC complaint on the first day asserts that it embraces legitimate Communications is “unlawfully” the International Wireless of [IWCE] – the largest US trade competition, but there is nothing importing and selling two-way radio Communications Expo (IWCE) show for PMR providers – Motorola legitimate about the illegal copying equipment and systems and related held in Las Vegas at the end of Solutions is transparently using its and misappropriation in which it software and components that March, Hytera said it “embraces legal filings to generate publicity.” has engaged. We are committed to infringe its patents. competition” and respects the Hytera added that it will defend vigorously defending our valuable It has called for an immediate intellectual property rights of others. itself against the allegations and intellectual property as we continue investigation by the ITC, an exclusion The statement said: “Motorola remained “fully confident” that it to drive innovation for our customers order to halt the importation of what Solutions’ new action continues will prevail. across the globe.”

Teraco to invest ZAR1.2bn in South Teraco CFO Jan services for bank deposits and cash Nokia president and CEO Rajeev African data centres Hnizdo says the pick-up will give more choice to Suri described Elhage as a close Teraco has raised a medium-term funding facility will Tanzanians, further supporting friend and advisor through times funding facility from Absa Bank to help be used to expand the transition from costly offline both good and bad: “From helping build what it claims will be the largest JB1 as well as remittances via high street agents lead the transformation at Nokia commercial data centre in Africa. contribute to the to faster, cheaper and safer online Siemens Networks and creating a The company’s current colocation development of a transfer methods.” disciplined operating model that data centres in South Africa include new data centre. WorldRemit says remittances play an remains a competitive advantage, to CT1 in Cape Town, DB1 in Durban, important role in Tanzania’s economy being one of the driving forces behind and JB1 at Isando in Johannesburg. 24MW of power, thereby eclipsing – citing figures from the World Bank, the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent and It says the facilities enable clients to the current campus for power its says in 2015 the country received a its fast and successful integration, easily connect to submarine cable availability. “Bredell will be the total of USD390m, almost ten times Samih’s contributions to Nokia have systems, terrestrial networks and largest commercial data centre in the amount received in 2010. been remarkable.” major IP backbones on the continent. Africa, and Teraco will the largest The London-based firm also Marc Rouanne, currently chief Teraco is also home to NAPAfrica commercial data centre operator in claims it achieved a new record innovation and operating officer which is said to be Africa’s largest Africa,” he claims. of 10,000 unique transactions (CIOO), will become president of the carrier-neutral Layer 2 IXP. completed in December 2016 alone. Mobile Networks business group. Igor Teraco CFO Jan Hnizdo says the “Huge growth” in money transfers It says it grew 150 per cent YoY last Leprince, currently EVP of Global ZAR1.2bn (USD87.24m) funding to Tanzania year, driven primarily by the rapid Services, has been appointed president facility will be used to expand the WorldRemit – the digital money expansion of mobile money accounts of the new Global Services division. Isando campus which has been transfer service that describes itself as as the preferred receive method. In addition, Nokia will also split established as the connectivity gateway the “WhatsApp of money” – says it its CIOO organisation. Its current into South and sub-Saharan Africa. has hit 10,000 unique transactions per Elhage quits following changes operating activities will be moved to a “The site presently has 20MW month in Tanzania. at Nokia newly appointed COO organisation, of capacity which needs to all be The company introduced its Nokia has announced changes to its innovation activities to the CTO, and brought online,” says Hnizdo. “We services in the country in January organisation and group leadership team. incubation to a chief strategy officer. have also purchased land adjacent to 2012. Since then, WorldRemit says As part of the restructure, the Other personnel changes announced the existing site allowing for further it’s seen rapid expansion fuelled company has split its Mobile by the company include: Monika expansion. In addition, a component by growing demand for instant Networks business group into two Maurer, current COO of Fixed of the funding has also been remittances from more than four organisations: one will focus on Networks, assumes the position of earmarked for the construction of million expatriates living abroad. products and solutions, while the group COO; Kathrin Buvac, chief Teraco’s new data centre in Bredell.” WorldRemit customers can send other on global services. This has led strategy officer, gains additional Absa’s loan will enable the money to Tigo, Vodacom and Zantel to the resignation of Samih Elhage responsibilities for incubation of select completion of the plant and data mobile money accounts in Tanzania. who was appointed president of new business opportunities; and CMO centre fit-out of the new facility They can also use their mobiles to Mobile Networks in 2016 (see Wireless located on the Isando campus. It will transfer funds for bank deposits and Business, Jan-Feb 16 issue). It has been also partly fund the Bredell facility cash pick ups. The biggest senders to reportedly suggested that Elhage did where construction commenced the country include diaspora in the not support the separation of the Samih Elhage in November 2016 and is due for UK, Sweden, Australia, Norway and division, although Nokia’s official walked away from completion towards the end of 2017. Canada, amongst others. line is that “with the integration of Nokia after the According to Hnizdo, the Bredell Company founder and CEO Ismail Alcatel-Lucent largely complete”, firm restructured site will feature more than 6000m2 Ahmed says: “Our mobile money Elhage has decided to leave to its Mobile of technical deployment space and partnerships combined with existing “pursue new opportunities”. Networks division.

March/April 2017 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 13

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Barry French has been given additional our long-term strategy,” said Intelsat end-to-end ICT solutions from African growth for Facebook accelerates responsibilities for health, safety, CEO Stephen Spengler. a single provider. The company Facebook says the number of people security and environment. “By merging OneWeb’s LEO says it will address the technology connected to its platform across Africa All of the changes became effective satellite constellation and innovative and telecoms needs of companies has grown 42 per cent since 2015 to from 1 April 2017. technology with our global scale, operating in Africa, both within their reach more than 170 million monthly terrestrial infrastructure and GEO domestic market and as they expand. active users. Of these, it says 94 per Intelsat and OneWeb combine satellite network, we will create Althon Beukes, BCX’s chief of cent access the services via mobile. Intelsat and OneWeb have agreed advanced solutions that address the international business, adds: “BCX’s “Facebook is deeply committed to to merge in a share-for-share need for ubiquitous broadband.” extensive African footprint with its Africa, a mobile-first continent where transaction. Japan’s SoftBank Group international subsidiaries which seven in 10 of all connected people use – which acquired a 40 per cent stake End-to-end ICT solutions from a include Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, the platform,” says Carolyn Everson, in OneWeb at the end of last year (see single provider Namibia, Zambia and Botswana, as VP of global marketing solutions. Wireless Business, Jan-Feb 17 issue) – has South Africa’s incumbent operator well as a presence in Dubai and the “Many people in Africa are coming also agreed to invest USD1.7bn in Telkom is re-launching Business UK, makes us the ideal strategic ICT online for the first time, unleashing newly issued common and preferred Connexion (BCX) to create a new partner for clients doing business in new possibilities for people and shares of the combined company. end-to-end ICT solutions provider. Africa or those wanting to navigate businesses alike. We’re also seeing Both the merger and the SoftBank The move is the final step in the the continent’s growth opportunities.” growth of small- and medium-sized investment are subject to, among other integration of Telkom Business and Moving forward, Telkom says BCX businesses that are driving economic conditions, successful completion of Business Connexion, and follows will also focus on offering cutting development, companies that debt exchange offers to certain existing Telkom’s acquisition of the ICT edge solutions specifically for cloud Facebook wants to help grow locally Intelsat bondholders as well as receipt services provider in 2015 (see Wireless computing, unified communications and regionally across the continent.” of certain regulatory approvals. Business, Sep-Oct 2015). and collaboration, converged As a result of the expansion, The debt exchange offers together BCX will continue to fall within connectivity and business mobility, Facebook moved its Johannesburg with the proceeds of the SoftBank the umbrella of the larger Telkom security, IoT, and Big Data analytics. offices into new premises. Everson investment are intended to reduce Group but will operate as a separate “The launch of BCX is truly the says the new offices are part of the Intelsat’s debt by around USD3.6bn, business arm serving the enterprise beginning of a new chapter of digitali- company’s “ongoing commitment” to assuming the minimum level of space. All employees fall under the sation for Africa,” says BCX CEO Isaac invest in the African market and work participation in the debt exchange purview of the new brand and all Mophatlane. “This new brand is the with innovators across its key target offers is achieved. Either party physical office spaces will ref lect the culmination of the vision my late brother countries. can terminate the agreement and new brand name. Additionally, all and I had when we started Business Nunu Ntshingila, Facebook’s SoftBank can end its investment if the existing customer contracts will be Connexion over 20 years ago.” regional director for Africa, reckons debt exchange offers have not been covered by the new BCX entity. the firm has grown from “strength successfully completed within 90 days BCX is built from what’s claimed to BCX CEO Isaac to strength” since first establishing a of the date of the agreement which be the foundation of Telkom Business’ Mophatlane claims direct presence in sub-Saharan Africa was announced on 28 February 2017. “deep knowledge” of infrastructure the launch is the in 2015. “We have enjoyed working “As an early equity investor in and Business Connexion’s “expertise” beginning of a closely with entrepreneurs, partners, OneWeb, we recognised a network in providing customised ICT solutions. new chapter of developers and small businesses as that was a complement to our next- Telkom reckons BCX is now the digitalisation for they have used Facebook as a platform generation EpicNG fleet and a fit with first brand in Africa that can offer Africa. for growth. It’s inspiring for us to learn

INVESTMENTS, MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Date Buyer Seller Item Price Notes

Sepura’s shareholders have reached a majority decision (97%) in favour of Hytera’s 9/2/17 Hytera Sepura Company NA acquisition offer. At the time of writing, the companies were liaising with the competition authorities in Spain & Germany to gain their approvals. Multi-currency New agreement replaces existing USD1.8bn revolving credit facility signed in 2014. Several Various VimpelCom term & revolving Up to international banks have committed to the TL/RCF in an aggregate amount of USD2.108bn. 17/2/17 international (VEON) facilities agreement USD2.25bn The TL/RCF includes option to increase amount up to the full USD2.25bn, which would consist banks (TL/RCF) of a term facility of USD562,500,000 & a revolving credit facility of USD 1,687,500,000.

LATEST COMPANY RESULTS

Sales EBITDA EPS Date Company Country Period Currency Notes (m) (m) (units) 2.7% YoY growth. Video is 68% of group revenue & grew 4.7% to EUR1,398.8m. Fully protected contract backlog increased from EUR7.4bn to 24/2/17 SES Luxembourg FY16 EUR 2,068.8 1,451.5 1.34 EUR 8.1bn for year ended 31 December 2016. This included EUR 0.3bn from O3b & EUR 0.1bn from RR Media, which were consolidated in 2016. Delivered on all 2016 financial targets & returned to growth at 7.5%. VimpelCom 27/2/17 Netherlands FY16 USD 8,885 3,232 0.23 Reported YoY revenues up 27.7%, but earnings in Algeria organically (VEON) decreased 14%. Company has now re-branded as ‘VEON’. 15% YoY decrease in Network Services; 2% YoY decrease in Media 28/2/17 Intelsat US FY16 USD 2,188 1,613.4 NA revenues; & Government earnings flat. Forecasts FY17 revenue to be in a range of USD2.180bn to USD2.225bn. 521.6 Net profits were CNY37.1bn (USD5.3bn), an increase of 0.4%. In 2016, YoY 31/3/17 Huawei China FY16 CNY NA NA (bn) revenues in EMEA grew 22.5% from CNY127,719m to CNY 156,509m.

14 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS March/April 2017

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Epsilon CEO Jerzy Szlosarek. “The operations, support and management Abuse of dominance could also lead timing was right to dedicate ourselves information. It added that the report to barriers to entry into the market and fully to innovating within our Cloud- fell short of splitting M-PESA and ultimately result in market failure.” centric networking platform.” Safaricom into different legal entities. Hipp becomes Cataleya’s chairman Joe Mucheru, cabinet secretary in Tigo and Airtel confirm merger in Ghana and CEO and will oversee its global Kenya’s Ministry of Information and As reported in our last issue, Millicom operations. The company will Communications, believes the proposals and Airtel have now agreed to maintain its Silicon Valley-based are detrimental to investors and combine their operations in Ghana. R&D facilities and headquarters innovators. “You cannot begin to punish The financial terms have not been in Singapore while expanding its companies for their innovativeness,” he disclosed, but each company will operations in Pune, India. told journalists. “There is dominance have equal ownership and governance Carolyn Everson, VP global marketing In the coming months, Cataleya in voice, which is a big area, according rights in the merged entity. solutions (left) says Facebook wants to plans to make announcements to the report. Parliament also wants It’s claimed the combination of help SMBs grow locally and regionally around features and functionalities to separate mobile money from Millicom’s Tigo in Ghana with Airtel’s across the continent. Also pictured is related to NFV, cloud and UCaaS the telecommunications and data local subsidiary will cover more the company’s regional director for (Unified Communications as a business. We are having discussions than 80 per cent of the population Africa, Nunu Ntshingila (middle) and Service) in addition to its machine with telecommunication operators with high speed data, providing Nicola Mendelsohn, VP EMEA. learning-based fraud identification in the country to determine how to the widest 3G coverage across the and mitigation capabilities. manage dominance.” country. It will have revenues of just from the continent and to play a role In mid-March, the CA issued a under USD300m and a 25.93 per in helping people and organisations Kenyan authority denies plans to press statement which said that it cent market share, making it Ghana’s connect with the world,” she says. split M-PESA from Safaricom “has no intention of splitting the second-biggest mobile voice operator. Kenya’s information and business of market players in the Millicom and Airtel expect Cataleya in management buyout communications minister has rejected telecommunications sub-sector, or the integration of their networks A joint management team has recommendations from a report take such drastic actions that create to provide a “major boost” for acquired Cataleya from Singapore- commissioned by the local regulator disruptions that may destabilise customers in both rural and urban headquartered Epsilon Global that says Safaricom and M-PESA dominant market players”. network coverage. They add that Communications group. Financial should be separated. Board chairman Ngene Gituku their amalgamated fibre footprint details have not been disclosed. In a study carried out on behalf of the confirmed that the CA’s aim is to and increased data centres will also The team includes technology Communications Authority of Kenya undertake “modest” regularity measures give enterprise customers access to startup accelerator Incipio and a group (CA), consultancy firm Analysys Mason that are focused on the progress of a diverse portfolio of “world class” of R&D and engineering specialists. looks at the degree of competition and the sector. He added that Analysis solutions. Mobile financial services It was led by Andreas Hipp who its effectiveness in various telecoms Mason’s report will be released once will also be enhanced with integrated co-founded Epsilon in 2003 and was markets in the country. While the CA the “required processes as stipulated agent networks and platforms. the former CEO of both Epsilon and says it plans to release the findings of in the constitution, ICT sector law and “The combination of Tigo and Cataleya until October 2015. Analysys Mason’s Dominant Market the Fair Competition and Equality Airtel will create an operator that will Cataleya specialises in IP networking Power and Regulated Services study in Treatment as well as the Tariffs be able to offer Ghanaian consumers and in developing and deploying May, some news outlets claim they Regulations have been concluded”. and businesses a state-of-the-art next-generation carrier grade switching have already seen it. The CA also pointed out that while network with high-speed mobile systems. Under its new ownership, it’s In late February, Kenya’s Daily it does not regard dominance in any data coverage,” says Millicom Africa claimed the firm will be able to push Nation reported that among the market segment as an offence, it is the EVP Mohamed Dabbour. “This intelligent networking applications and recommendations is a “functional “abuse and the potential of abuse of transaction underlines confidence in services into new areas and develop new separation” of Safaricom’s mobile dominance” that must be regulated. Its the Ghanaian economy, and provides commercial models for next-generation money service from its core telecoms statement said: “Uncompetitiveness the opportunity to develop nationwide session border controller (SBC) business. According to the report, this in the sector has the potential to digital infrastructure and services.” technologies (see Wireless Solutions, p16). would require the two to have separate compromise consumer welfare in The merger is subject to obtaining “Epsilon Global Communications offices and staff working below board terms of limited access to services, approvals from the relevant authorities made the strategic decision to focus on level, as well as distinct branding, poor quality of service, high tariffs and in Ghana and the satisfaction of its core service provider offering,” says accounting and systems for business limited choice, if it is not regulated. customary closing conditions.

NEW APPOINTMENTS

Date Name New employer New position Previous employer Previous position

24/2/17 Steve Collar SES Executive committee member – Has been appointed in his capacity as O3b CEO.

28/2/17 Samer Abu Ltaif Microsoft President MEA Microsoft Gulf Regional GM

7/3/17 Godfrey Motsa MTN South Africa CEO MTN Group VP of SEA region

7/3/17 Mteto Nyati – – MTN South Africa CEO – steps down Toriola remains VP of WECA region & takes on role of 7/3/17 Karl Toriola MTN Group Interim VP of SEA region MTN Group VP of SEA region until a successor to Motsa is found. Head of Emerging Markets Digital 28/2/17 Ali Faramawy Microsoft Microsoft Corporate VP Transformation Organisation 13/3/17 Béatrice Beau Eutelsat EVP, global broadband services Nc+ Member of supervisory board VP of marketing & business 20/3/17 Ilan Tevet RAD RAD Head of service provider line of business development March/April 2017 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 15

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Cataleya launches virtualised session border controller Cataleya has launched a virtualised functionality of the hardware version Cataleya says the platform enables vOrchid One works with vCenter software version of its session border of its Orchid One appliance (pictured), users to deliver up to 2,250 concurrent for VMware, Openstack for KVM, controller. The Singapore-based vendor combining Big Data, real-time network sessions per core with a QoS analysis and is said to support multiple API says vOrchid One provides all of the analytics and machine learning to engine that allows the system to detect standards and protocols. guarantee IP network performance. and predict voice performance. It offers According to Cataleya, the MANUFACTURER: Cataleya vOrchid One is designed to deliver full WebRTC to SIP interoperability platform enables operators of all end-to-end visibility into network as well as support for VoWiFi. sizes to deploy intelligent networks. PRODUCT: vOrchid One performance from transport to appli- The firm adds that the software’s It reckons the platform delivers an cation layers. It’s claimed service integrated intelligent firewall and immediate competitive advantage MORE INFORMATION: providers benefit from “comprehen- built-in fraud management services with faster monetisation of intelligent www.cataleya.com sive” visibility via near real-time and enables service providers to protect networks and the ability to deliver trending analytics reporting. against voice fraud. higher QoS and QoE for customers. Small cell radio platform aims to be alternative to SDR ip.access has come up with a new Despite the proliferation of approaches. By combining the new It also supports ip.access’ SUMO band- and RAT-flexible small cell software defined radio hardware, hardware platform with its “operator- multi-operator technology which designed specifically for the needs of ip.access believes integrators struggle proven” UMTS and LTE software is said to further reduce the specialist integrators. with inherent performance and stacks, ip.access says the S60z removes capex challenges in cost-sensitive reliability, as well as the need for the software integration burden (while deployments such as rural networks. MANUFACTURER: extensive integration of the software still offering low-level access), and ip.accesss necessary to run the device, the enables integrators to achieve the components for which often have to RAT and band flexibility they need. PRODUCT: S60z be sourced from multiple vendors. The S60z platform has been In contrast, the firm claims its designed to support all UMTS and MORE INFORMATION: new S60z provides integrators with a LTE bands (both FDD and TDD) in www.ipaccess.com complete ‘cellular engine’ that offers frequencies ranging from 500MHz a carrier-proven alternative to SDR to 3.6GHz. High capacity 24GHz point- Scalable LTE test solution to to-point link from Proxim help operators prepare for 5G

Proxim Wireless has as licensing approval is IxLoad LTE XAir2 has been designed to test system’s real-world subscriber introduced a high required. Because its new emulate mobile subscribers at scale in modelling, Ixia says users do not need capacity, 24GHz, point- Tsunami GX-824 operates order to validate the performance and to be protocol experts to develop test to-point (PTP) radio. in a license-exempt band functionality of 4.5G- (LTE-A Pro) realism. From a single tool, it says It is license-exempt similar to 5GHz, the and 5G-related products and services. they can perform capacity tests, detail and said to be ideal for vendor says customers and Developed by network testing, a cell throughput, measure voice providing a trunking carriers can proceed with visibility and security specialist Ixia, and video quality, and model a wide backbone for the firm’s their deployments without the new RAN test product combines variety of mobility scenarios. 5GHz portfolio. any regulatory delay. scale and performance testing with The firm adds that 5G presents While 6, 11, 15, 18 or 23GHz have It’s claimed the GX-824 delivers realistic subscriber emulation and unique technical challenges in terms of long been used as backbones for lower almost 1Gbps in a full duplex system, QoE validation. It can also be used for Wi-Fi and LTE-unlicensed spectrum. capacity point-to-multipoint base totalling just under 2Gbps of actual testing LTE on unlicensed spectrum. It says IxLoad LTE XAir2 has been de- stations, Proxim believes this approach throughput. Proxim says moving The vendor says IxLoad LTE XAir2 veloped to address complex scenarios often results in delays and extra cost almost 2Gbps of backbone capacity facilitates the realistic emulation of involving features like Carrier Aggre- to the license-exempt 24GHz band massive amounts of subscribers with gation, 4x4 MIMO and 256 QAM. MANUFACTURER: frees-up 5GHz spectrum for last-mile multi-Gigabit OTT traffic via the Proxim Wireless access links using some of its other internet, to help customers’ future- MANUFACTURER: Ixia Tsunami products. proof their networks and devices. PRODUCT: Tsunami GX-824 The GX-824 is said to be rugged The platform features Ixia’s XAir2 PRODUCT: IxLoad LTE XAir2 and offers support for either GbE or load module. It claims this provides MORE INFORMATION: fibre as the interface. It is managed LTE user equipment emulation that MORE INFORMATION: www.proxim.com by the vendor’s ProximVision enables a “powerful” eNodeB Layer 1 www.ixia.com Advanced hybrid controller. to 7 test solution. By using its IxLoad

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New service targets ALSO LOOK OUT FOR SIM-swap fraud Optical DSP Myriad Connect has launched a But according to Myriad, criminal tampered with via compromised third boosts fibre service to counter the growing threat groups and insiders at financial parties within an operator or bank. of ‘SIM-swap’ fraud. organisations and network operators The service uses SSD authentication capacity When a customer lets their operator work together to gather personal data and no persistent data is held with Nokia and Facebook have tested know that their SIM card is damaged, and then pose as contract owners to any third party. Myriad reckons this new optical digital signal processing lost or stolen, the current module is secure a new SIM. Once activated provides a more secure service than technologies over a live 5,500km deactivated and a new one is issued. by the fraudster, he or she is able current two factor authentication transatlantic submarine link. to access bank accounts and other services which, for example, use It’s claimed the test showed an MANUFACTURER: sensitive data authenticated through SMS to store data and are therefore increase of almost 2.5x more Myriad Connect the SIM. vulnerable to being intercepted. capacity than the stated optical The threat from SIM-swap is It adds that a clear audit trail is also transmission capacity of the system. PRODUCT: Anti SIM-Swap said to be the greatest in regions established, where the user’s identity The partners trialled new fraud service where mobile banking penetration is verified by a party external to the ‘probabilistic constellation shaping’ is highest. The firm believes its transaction. The company reckons this (PCS) technology from Bell Labs. MORE INFORMATION: new service can help reduce this results in a technology that will “greatly This uses ‘shaped’ QAM formats to connect.myriadgroup.com by providing a real-time check on enhance” the security of transactions flexibly adjust transmission capacity the card. It adds that this cannot be vulnerable to SIM-swap fraud. to near the physical limits of a given fibre link. In the first experiment for an installed submarine link, Nokia and Facebook used PCS based on Satellite QoE ‘revolutionised’ with 64 QAM, combined with digital non-linearity compensation and dynamic network access platform low-linewidth lasers. They say they Comtech EF Data has unveiled its links in Comtech’s Heights Networking The technology leverages the achieved a record spectral efficiency Heights Dynamic Network Access (H-DNA) Platform. The firm says it instantly VersaFEC-2 high-performance LDPC of 7.46bps per Hz, indicating the technology with the claim that it offers assigns capacity based on network- waveform, as recently announced as potential to upgrade the cable to a “step change” in satellite network wide demand and intelligently utilises an option for Comtech’s CDM-570A/ 32Tbps per fibre in the future. performance as well as a vehicle to total network bandwidth at all times. L-IP satellite modems (pictured ). Nokia adds that tests based on provide “exceptional” end user QoE. It also allocates all available It also uses ACM, dynamic power its commercially available Photonic H-DNA is designed for the return bandwidth per user demand and control, IP optimisation, low framing Service Engine 2 validated the configured SLAs, ensuring that all overhead, multi-tier QoS and WAN successful transmission of 8 QAM MANUFACTURER: capacity is used at all times. Comtech optimisation. As a result, Comtech wavelengths running at 200Gbps Comtech EF Data says H-DNA can provide sub-second claims H-DNA offers the “most and 16 QAM wavelengths running at reaction time to changing user robust reliability” and delivers the 250 Gbps. In addition, the firm says PRODUCT: Heights Dynamic demand and link conditions without most user IP bits per Hertz compared 200G 8 QAM wavelengths supported Network Access introducing the excessive jitter and to any other solution in its class. a spectral efficiency of 4bps per latency normally Hz while exhibiting sufficient MORE INFORMATION: associated with performance margin to support www.comtechefdata.com any comparable reliable, commercial operation. technology. System could help reduce rising capex TEOCO’s SMART Capacity initial deployments of its solution network event data in combination Management Solution aims to help CSPs with customers have demonstrated with subscriber behaviour. optimise current network capacity and the potential of reducing upgrade As data demand grows plan ideal capex investments for traffic spend by 10 per cent or more. exponentially and LTE and VoLTE growth. The analytics, assurance TEOCO says the platform does networks are increasingly rolled out, and optimisation specialist claims this by identifying the four most TEOCO says capacity management common areas of capex waste as it will be more continuous in nature This graphic shows a genuine MANUFACTURER: TEOCO relates to capacity. These include: with the demand on ‘what-ifs’ and ‘probabilistically shaped’ 64 QAM delays in re-purposing older ‘next best actions’. constellation, with the height of the PRODUCT: SMART Capacity infrastructure; failure to promptly The firm reckons its data and bars representing the ‘probability’ Management Solution re-farm spectrum; leaving ‘default’ algorithm driven SMART solution of transmitting a given constellation settings across sites; and ineffective can evaluate network traffic and its point. Nokia draws attention to how MORE INFORMATION: management of software licenses. provisioning while identify potential it is ‘shaped’ – in existing hardware www.teoco.com SMART is said to offer a way to plug cost savings through ‘what-if’ models it would look like a flat square with capex leakage in these four areas, using centred around customer behaviour. all points equally probable.

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SAWC 1704 p16-17 (Wireless Solutions).indd 17 28/04/2017 18:46 SAWC 1704 p18-19 (Liquid).indd All Pages 11/05/2017 16:23 Register here for your free digital edition FEATURE: FIBRE http://www.kadiumpublishing.com/forms/africa/sawc_reg.htm A fibre future? Fibre infrastructure has been slow to expand past coastal regions. DAVE HOWELL wonders whether it can truly deliver universal broadband access across the continent.

s the African telecoms sector approaches one billion subscribers, the question many across the industry are asking Ais whether consumers across the continent are benefiting from the promised broadband speeds and consequential services that were promised. Indeed, Ovum’s Broadband Development Index (BDI), which measures how different countries and regions are adopting high-speed broadband networks, gave Africa’s fixed broadband status a score of 106 at the end of 2015 – the lowest among world regions. In addition, a focus on the ‘low hanging fruit’ has largely lead to a patchy rollout of fibre. Even in some wealthier areas and within major conurbations, several competing fibre services can be seen, but the question remains whether they are delivering the services consumers demand at a price they can afford. While the level of submarine cable availability has continued to expand, this has not in many cases translated into more service availability. Bottlenecks continue with a lack of affordable cable and therefore affordable fibre backbone. The Internet Society points out that cross-border infrastructure in the region remains the least developed element, but adds that encouraging developments are emerging. For example, it says work has started on an East African Backhaul System to serve Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. (EABS is a joint venture between operators from the five East African Community Countries and involves The many submarine cable systems that now surround Africa are used to connect countries and continents around 30 other MNOs in Eastern and Southern to the internet. But more terrestrial fibre is needed to extend this connectivity to landlocked countries or Africa.) Also, the society says that the landlocked urban centres in countries without submarine cable access. SOURCE: MANYPOSSIBLITIES.NET countries of East Africa (Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) have already established backbones that give them access to international bandwidth via António Nunes, CEO of Angola Cables, But Nunes agrees that there are still hurdles submarine fibre at almost the same price as the reckons African connectivity is getting better to overcome: “One of the biggest challenges in coastal countries. every year with a lot of projects in development Africa is infrastructure construction. Power “And now, this cross-border terrestrial across the region. His company is busy with its also remains one of the big problems for African infrastructure is being further extended to the own landmark deployment, the South Atlantic development.” DRC, Ethiopia, and Somalia, with creation of Cable System (SACS), which will be the first Even with the eventual availability of regional backhaul rings to increase reliability also submarine fibre in the southern hemisphere to backbone, delivering fibre over the last mile to under way,” states the organisation. connect Africa and Latin America. consumers outside of urban areas will continue

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to be a challenge. Unlike other developing Nigeria 97.2 regions, Africa’s fibre network delivery has become fragmented. The main carriers have development Egypt 34.8 plans but these have been slow to gather momentum. This has meant other players have Kenya 31.9 entered the market, with some commentators South Africa 28.6 likening this to a fibre land grab. But Nunes points out that there is space in the Morocco 20.2 market for various competitors. “Big telecoms cannot compete with small ones in some areas, Algeria 15 since the demand is too low for them. In other Uganda 11.9 areas, where the business opportunities are better, it makes sense for the big players to jump in.” Sudan 10.9 He says the model created in Angola was to give an opportunity for new players to enter the market. Ghana 7.9 “We are an example of it. Angola Cables is providing the international connectivity and the other Tanzania 7.6 operators are building out the fibre and developing 0 20 40 60 80 100 the mobile networks all over the country. Working Millions of internet users together gives us the ability to deliver specific services according to customers’ needs and specifications.” Estimated internet users in Africa as at the end of June 2016. An increase in access will slowly expand across That all sounds plausible enough. But across the continent as costs reduce. SOURCE: INTERNET WORLD STATS the continent, prices have also been volatile, as smaller players look to deliver the connections fibre deployments rather than getting started. national and metro fibre networks in 12 countries. that consumers, particularly in urban areas, are He says: “Entrepreneurial broadband suppliers Speaking at the time, Liquid Telecom group CEO looking for to access more online services at followed a try-it-and-see approach. It paid off. Nic Rudnick said: “The combined companies reasonable prices. And then there are the bigger They learnt how to deploy cost-effectively and will create an unparalleled footprint covering players who can create difficulties for some fibre they learnt about consumer spending behaviour, key markets across the continent, giving Liquid delivery companies that want to move forward refining their business cases over time.” Telecom a significant competitive advantage with their plans. Dan Zajicek, CEO of Gilat Ramdhani reckons this learning has now become through the breadth, depth and flexibility of our Satcom which provides satellite and fibre-based pervasive, especially with some of the startups consolidated networks. We will be able to offer connectivity across Africa, says: “The monopoly being bought out by larger players. “The reservoir African companies the highest quality and most operators who are charging unreasonable prices of content online, especially video, means there extensive connectivity on the continent.” for using their networks are an obstacle. There are is tremendous consumer demand for high-speed also inconsistent rules from the regulatory bodies fibre and an excellent business case. There is also a Connecting consumers which can slow down infrastructure rollouts.” large construction contractor base with experience in fibre deployments, so the engineering risk is The Internet Society says that as Africa’s “On the cusp of a boom” mitigated. As such, we are on the cusp of a boom.” infrastructure and user base grows, the need Various organisation now laying fibre to what to coordinate and manage internet growth and Suveer Ramdhani, chief development officer at they believe is a ready and waiting consumer base development becomes increasingly important. SEACOM, believes innovation is often “stifled” for services that require fibre’s delivery speeds. “Several institutions and processes have in large organisations and, as a result, many For example in Uganda, the Oxfam-lead emerged over the last 15 years, each playing a role “theorised for too long” about the viability of Internet Now! project aims to connect 100 rural in strengthening Africa’s internet ecosystem,” villages with fibre. Further east, Kenya Power says the society. “Africa has embraced the António Nunes, has launched a year-long pilot project with multi-stakeholder model of internet governance CEO, Safaricom which aims to connect 12,000 homes which enables policymakers to draw from the Angola Cables in Nairobi with a fibre-based internet network. expertise of the relevant stakeholders to develop And in Rwanda, Liquid Telecom has invested sustainable public policy approaches that can more than USD35m in rolling out the country’s meet the challenges of the digital age.” first FTTH network to homes and businesses in These approaches are clearly going to be key Kigali, offering speeds of up to 100Mbps. moving forward as broadband access reaches more Liquid Telecom is arguably the continent’s biggest people across the continent. Ovum predicts that terrestrial fibre network provider and now looks set the number of fibre broadband subscribers will to get even bigger. Late last year, the company was increase from 400,000 at the end of 2016 to two “Big telecoms cannot compete with given permission for the ZAR6.55bn buyout of South million in 2021. It forecasts that fibre broadband African communications network operator Neotel. subscriptions will represent 10 per cent of fixed small ones in some areas, since Liquid’s partner, South African investment group broadband usage in 2021, compared to three per Royal Bafokeng Holdings, will own a 30 per cent cent in 2010 (other fixed broadband technologies the demand is too low for them. stake in the acquisition once the deal closes which include ADSL, satellite, etc.). is expected during the first quarter of 2017. In comparison, mobile broadband subscriptions In other areas, where the business By merging Neotel’s network assets and service will increase from 310 million at the end of 2016 platforms with its own, Liquid says it will have to 975 million in 2021. But that huge forecast for opportunities are better, it makes “unrivalled” reach across Eastern, Central and the number of mobile broadband users will depend Southern Africa, enabling it to offer access via a on the continued development of the backbone sense for the big players to jump in.” single connection over 40,000km of cross-border, infrastructure which will be required.

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Mike Last, CMO and VP of international in Europe. Local peering benefits local networks Suveer Ramdhani, business development with WIOCC, says: and local communities. This growth is important Chief development “Reach and accessibility will continue to for the future of Africa’s digital growth and the officer, increase as further investment delivers ever more reduction of the market pressure. In 2015, we SEACOM terrestrial fibre and many more metro networks launched in Angola the fastest-growing exchange in major urban centres. points in Africa. Called Angonix, this exchange “Capacity utilisation will also increase, driven point welcomes any kind of networks and aims by ever greater uptake of demanding consumer to keep local traffic in order to minimise latency and business applications. And with greater and to ensure better Internet quality.” dependence will come a greater emphasis on service availability, rather than simply price. A patchwork of operators and “Satellite is also often used to This will inevitably result in suppliers needing technologies to invest more heavily in network diversity to prove the financial viability of protect their customers from downtime.” All the main fibre operators remain bullish about But the Internet Society warns that cost will their plans for the future rollout of infrastructure, markets to justify the capital remain a pressure point to the expansion of and there is little doubt that they will expand their online services. It says users in Africa have to pay platforms. However, as mentioned above, the large expense of fibre deployment.” many times more for internet access than their players have been joined by smaller and often more peers in developed countries. “For instance, some nimble operators that have seen lucrative gaps in studies show that bandwidth costs for broadband the market that are not yet being filled. fibre optic cables are then used to extend this in sub-Saharan Africa are 30-40 times those in Fast broadband access across Africa connectivity to landlocked countries or urban the US. [Given] the difference in earnings, what therefore remains a patchwork of operators and centres in a country without submarine cable takes perhaps 15 per cent of US gross national technologies. For instance, Gilat Satcom’s Zajicek access. But he adds that while in most of the income per capita will take over 800 per cent of points out that the expected reduction in demand world a large number of such cables exists, often sub-Saharan GNI per capita.” for satellite services as fibre expanded has not mounting to robust internet backbones, the Citing Ethiopia as an example in Africa, the materialised. Indeed, satellite services are on an insufficient number of high-speed cables poses a society says 60.4 per cent of the country’s average upward trajectory, as ISPs use several connection great problem for most African countries GDP per capita is required for broadband access, channels to deliver their services. “The deployment of both submarine cables while it is 31 per cent in Uganda, and 15.7 and 7.4 SEACOM’s Ramdhani supports this view: and terrestrial fibre extensions is considered per cent respectively in Kenya and Sudan. South “Mobile services create demand for fibre since an important step to economic growth and Africa fares better at 6.1 per cent – but that’s still mobile towers need fibre to work. Once the development for many African countries. considerably more than the less than two per cent fibre is deployed, it becomes cheaper to connect It is also a great advantage to successful in most of Europe. homes and businesses in the vicinity of the tower. implementation of the SDGs,” says Rugege. Angola Cables’ Nunes agrees that price Satellite is expensive and fibre doesn’t reach The SDGs – or Sustainable Development remains the biggest challenge: “The African every corner of Africa – thus satellite is useful for Goals – replaced the UN’s Millennium market does not support the prices available for remote parts of the continent where there is no Development Goals in 2015, and universal mobile phones or PCs in the world market. A infrastructure. But satellite is also often used to access to broadband plays a key part in helping new solution of devices needs to develop, so that prove the financial viability of markets to justify to achieve several of the 17 global targets that this massive market of about one billion people the capital expense of fibre deployment.” member states have agreed to achieve by 2030. can have access to the broadband services. We Nunes adds to this by saying that Africa is a Clearly then, Africa cannot depend purely on have to change the traffic profile of the African big continent and many of its rural areas do not fibre for increasing broadband access. And the customer. We also need to provide access to the have big data demands. Satellite connectivity is current reach of fibre across the continent isn’t local internet exchange in order to reduce prices therefore still a backbone solution in such regions. comprehensive enough to allow costs to reduce. and increase the quality of service.” Andrew Rugege, ITU regional director for Add in mobile services and satellite to the mix, Nunes goes on to say that the continent’s Africa, says that submarine communications plus a lack of critical mass with internet access networks should exchange more African traffic cables are used to connect countries and demand, and the result is a strain on the available in Africa. “Today, we are exchanging our traffic continents to the internet, and terrestrial capital investments that can be made. Once online services are in demand, the provision of fibre will expand to meet this. The 450 2015 main players in the marketplace will continue to 2020 invest, but it is the smaller concerns where more innovation and service provision is likely to appear. 300 For the African consumer, choice of access supplier, the performance of that access and, of course, its cost, are all at the moment slightly out of 150 focus. Over the next few years this will change but for now, getting fibre inland still remains a challenge. Million users/subscribers 0 Nonetheless, there is cause for optimism. “I think that provision of fibre on the continent MMS Email Gaming Music Video Commerce will keep growing,” says Nunes. “The price for Social networking Location based services connectivity will drop and the demand will grow. Connectivity and access to broadband in Growth in smart devices, mobile video and 4G networks will drive an eight-fold increase in global mobile the future will be a commodity – we are already data traffic by 2020, predicts Cisco. The above chart shows the forecasted adoption of mobile services in the observing that in Europe and USA. The African Middle East and Africa from 2015 to 2010. SOURCE: CISCO VNI SERVICE ADOPTION FORECAST, 2016 population is very young and with a growing appetite for digital content.” n 22 SOUTHERN AFRICAN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS March/April 2017

SAWC 1704 p20-22 (Fibre).indd 22 28/04/2017 18:47 AWCY 17 p87 (Informa2).indd 1 10/05/2017 14:50 Register here for your free digital edition WIRELESS USERS: EDUCATION http://www.kadiumpublishing.com/forms/africa/sawc_reg.htm No longer lost for words?

How mobile operators and network service providers are helping to boost education Connected via a VSAT supplied by Liquid Telecom, BRCK’s Kio Tablet has transformed across the continent. education for both teachers and children in the remote Kenyan village of Kiltamany.

TN’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care is its annual 40 multimedia centres in schools since 2005, employee volunteer programme that bringing 60,000 students and 4,000 teachers takes place during three weeks in online across the country. Similar centres have MJune. 2016 marked the tenth year of the initiative also been rolled out in Benin, Ghana, Côte which had the theme of ‘Investing in Education d’Ivoire and Congo. for All’. 10,450 volunteers across the company’s Other projects in 2016 saw mobile libraries 22 country footprint established 56 libraries and bridging Cameroon’s digital divide, and the first of eight ICT labs, built 10 classrooms, and created eight libraries planned for the Congo was opened. four online learning platforms. MTN said more Computer labs have been set up for special needs than 140,000 people in Africa and the Middle learners in South Africa, while MTN Sudan East are now benefiting from the initiatives. has been installing interactive whiteboards and Each year, the company recognises the training teachers on how to use them in the operations that delivered the most impactful Last year, MTN says 10,450 volunteers across its classroom. And in Swaziland, the operator’s Y’ello Care projects with a prize of USD100,000 to footprint in Africa and the Middle East established Educare programme has been broadcasting maths further invest in community projects. The winner educational facilities such as classrooms and ICT labs and science lessons over the airwaves – content is for 2016 was MTN Côte d’Ivoire for the work its that will benefit more than 140,000 people. delivered via social media and learners can interact staff carried out at the Marchoux Elementary with teachers in real time using WhatsApp or School. Located around a kilometre away from children and significantly improve learning Facebook. MTN said that the programme has been the Marchoux Village in the country’s Bingerville conditions at the school. so successful that it’s now going to be televised. municipality, the school is in an area inhabited Another one of the many projects undertaken primarily by people suffering from leprosy, by MTN employees during Y’ello Care 2016 was Digital school in a box and those from underprivileged backgrounds. in Cameroon. Here, the company has built In recent years, the area has seen an influx of classrooms at three primary schools, enabling Vodafone is planning to provide free access to digital displaced persons from Abidjan, which has led an additional 600 learners to be accommodated educational content as part of its Instant Schools for to a substantial population increase. As such, the per year. It has also helped the government equip Africa initiative which will launch later this year. school has been unable to meet the increasing ten schools with PCs, workstations, servers, Millions of young people in DRC, Ghana, enrolment demand due to limited capacity, and printers, projectors and internet connectivity, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa many children were placed on waiting lists with enabling remote access to tutorials. MTN said and Tanzania will be given free access to online no certainty when they would receive access. its partnership with MINEDUB (Ministère learning materials developed in conjunction with Last June, 663 staff from MTN Côte d’Ivoire, de l’Education de Base – Ministry of Basic local educational partners and experts, ministries together with help from the government, partners Education) has seen primary schools receive 54 of education, and Learning Equality. The latter and members of the community, built seven extra classrooms and 16 portable water points. is a US-based not-for-profit provider of open- classrooms to accommodate an additional 350 The operator has now established nearly source educational technology solutions which,

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Each Instant Classroom is shipped in a durable and lockable storage box that weighs 52kg with its contents. Inside, is a laptop, 25 tablets pre-loaded with educational software, a projector, a speaker and a hotspot 3G modem. According to Vodafone, it takes just 20 minutes to set up.

according to its website, is led by people who “eat refugees who fled civil war in neighbouring building community and employee engagement the digital divide for breakfast”. Central African Republic. Vodafone’s team with the adopted schools. Airtel said the school Vodafone said Instant Schools for Africa is a installed three new Instant Network schools with calendar ensures there is enough opportunity long-term cumulative programme, and it plans to the help of Vodacom Congo and the UNHCR. for the community – as well as its own increase the initiative’s reach, scale and relevance When the team arrived, many people at the employees – to understand and be engaged with over time. It will also encourage other major camps had never used the internet before. After the programme by participating in activities mobile operators in the countries involved to four days of training, the teachers gave their first undertaken by schools, such as cleanliness drives, adopt a similar, non-commercial approach by digital lesson – teaching the alphabet. Using the tree plantations, etc. giving them the technical specifications needed Instant Classroom, they can project the alphabet Other programmes Airtel has been involved with to extend the benefits of the programme to the on to the screen, stream ABC song from YouTube, include the ICT For Schools Project. Last September largest possible number of beneficiaries. and use tablets to practice writing. The Instant in Uganda, the company teamed-up with Huawei Under the project, learners and teachers who are Classroom is another Vodafone innovation. It’s and the Kazo and Nasasira (KAN) Foundation customers of Vodafone or its African subsidiaries described as a digital ‘school in a box’ and was to power 30 PCs in three schools. Set up by John will not incur any mobile data charges when created to bring tablet-based teaching to refugee Nasasira after he stepped down as Uganda’s accessing Instant Schools for Africa. They will simply camps and areas where electricity and internet ICT minister last year, the KAN Foundation need a data connection to the Vodafone network connectivity are unreliable or non-existent. seeks to address ICT issues in education, water The online materials will be tailored, drawing Shipped in a robust, 52kg, lockable storage and sanitation, and agricultural businesses. on what’s described as a combination of the best case, the Instant Classroom contains: 25 Android The 30 computers were supplied by Huawei and openly licensed global and local educational tablets with 10-inch screens for students; one donated to Kashwa Primary School, Rwemikoma resources to provide country-specific content. 11-inch convertible Windows laptop/tablet (which Secondary School and Karo Secondary School Vodafone adds that the content will also be also acts as a content server and AV source) for which are all in the Kiruhura District, western optimised for simple, low-cost mobile devices the teacher; 1000 lumen LED projector and 20W Uganda. The PCs will each receive 2GB of data with basic data connectivity (3G) and areas of audio system; and a 3G Ethernet modem with from Airtel for a period of one year. low coverage/capacity. integrated Wi-Fi hotspot/router and external Further east across the border in Kenya, Airtel In the meantime, the Vodafone Foundation’s antennas. According to Vodafone, it takes 20 announced last September that it had connected Instant Network School programme continues minutes to set up the entire Instant Classroom. five schools in the Nyanza region and two in the to provide previously remote and isolated It adds that battery power is around 1.5 hours Rift region to the internet as part of another one communities with access to a wealth of educational for the projector and around eight hours for of its flagship programmes, Internet for Schools. The content and resources. The company believes this the router/hotspot. A built-in system can be initiative aims to enhance quality of learning in link to the outside world can be a “game changer” used to recharge all 25 tablets and the laptop order to enable more pupils to have access to relevant for education programmes in refugee camps, simultaneously while they are in the case. educational information that is available online. and will be critical for the long-term future of the Meanwhile, for Education Day last August, children and communities that live there. The bus that teaches ICT skills representatives from Airtel Madagascar visited As part of the programme, Vodafone connects the CoderBus, a mobile platform for learning classes to the internet providing connectivity, Airtel Africa runs several CSR initiatives to power, tablet computers, mobile content and teacher support schools and help improve the quality training. There are 70 trained Vodafone employees and delivery of education to children in who make up the Instant Network team. These underprivileged communities. For example, volunteers remain on standby ready to deploy to under its flagship Our School programme, the set up the schools, and manage on-site introduction company works closely with governments and teacher training alongside the UNHCR. has currently ‘adopted’ 38 primary schools in The training is aimed at building ownership rural areas across its 15 country footprint. Airtel of the Instant Network School programme within said its adopted schools presently cater to more the local community, and to ensure that the than 18,000 children. The support it provides technology and solution respond to its needs. under the programme includes: infrastructural One of the team’s latest deployments was at refurbishment of classrooms and furniture; the beginning of September 2016 in the Mole provision of uniforms, books and teaching aids; John Nasasira, of the Kazo and Nasasira Foundation and Boyabu refugee camps in remote Equateur and ICT and broadband connectivity. and Uganda’s former ICT minister, praises Huawei Province. These camps host more than 50,000 In addition, the initiative also works towards and Airtel for supporting e-learning in the country.

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The CoderBus is a connected mobile platform that aims to guide women and children to learn about ICT. Nearly 500 children are said to have so far benefited from the project.

computer science. The CoderBus is a non-profit usually only five teachers so the children were per cent, content can be constantly updated so project and is backed by Madagascar’s Habaka often behind in their studies compared to their children do not have to wait for new materials to innovation hub. Its mission is to guide women contemporaries. In addition, there was a shortage come from the nearest town. Data about how the and children to become passionate builders, not of books, pens, papers and other essential items. tablets are being used can be gathered by BRCK. just consumers, of new technologies through However, Kiltamany’s fortunes changed This enables the company to constantly review hands-on learning of technical skills in a when it was chosen by Kenyan technologist online tests and interactive exercises in order to collaborative and social way. CoderBus’ founders and entrepreneur Erik Hersman as an early both monitor the children’s progress and help it claim that nearly 500 children have benefited recipient of his latest initiative: Kio Kit. This is a improve the content. since they started up around a year ago, adding digital classroom in a box developed by BRCK Kiltamany’s five teachers all agree that their that this is just the beginning as the plan is to Education which was co-founded by Hersman in work has been made easier with the fast internet gradually increase this impact up to eight times. 2014 and is said to be one of the first hardware connectivity, and they have been able to widen Airtel said its visit to the CoderBus in Ivato, startups in Africa. their scope of teaching to match what is taught central Madagascar last August was an Kio Kit comprises a rugged, battery- in urban schools. “We used to travel for about opportunity to support the enthusiasm of young powered Wi-Fi router that can, according to 20 kilometres to Archer’s Post to update fresh Malagasy encoders, the local council and the its developers, “seamlessly” serve educational educational materials into our kits,” says teacher Madagascar CoderDojo – a global volunteer- content to 40 tablets. Due to the demands of Elizabeth Leress. “But with the internet and solar led community of free programming clubs for rural environments, and the fact that children are infrastructure in place, we have reduced the cost people aged between seven and 17. The grass bound to drop and spill things on the tablets, the and time we spent on the way.” roots organisation is made up of individual clubs Kio Tablet was also designed to be hard-wearing, Liquid trained a local man to manage (‘Dojos’) that act independently. Since 2015, adaptable and highly functional. There is a single and update the system although, to date, no when signing the partnership with Madagascar plug used to charge all the kit and one button to connectivity problems have resulted. However, CoderDojo, Airtel has donated hardware, internet power up the entire system. As well as accessing after the first week, a fence had to be built around connections, phones and monthly communication information online, tablet users can also take the dish as goats were using it as a scratching post credits to three clubs in Antananarivo and advantage of a wealth of pre-loaded multimedia and misaligning it. Fianarantsoa. It said nearly 500 young people content including the local curriculum, games The operator concludes that the deployment has have benefited from its ongoing support. that stimulate critical thinking, and information been a “textbook” example of how children can focused on responsible citizenship. benefit from the internet. No longer are teachers Liquid delivers internet to pupils However, Kiltamany is around 20km from the only sources of knowledge and information in at remote Kenyan school the nearest base station and is only covered by a the classroom. The world has got much bigger for patchy and weak 2G signal. So Hersman asked both the children and adults of Kiltamany. n For Liquid Telecom, internet access always has a Liquid to help provide connectivity. Although “transformatory” effect in education. “Improving it is perhaps best known for its pan-African education is at the core of our own mission of fibre network, Liquid also provides satellite facilitating the rise of Africa as an economic connectivity across the continent. The company powerhouse,” said Ben Roberts, CEO of Liquid says it has “vast experience” in connecting remote Telecom Kenya. rural locations which mostly share the same For instance, the company has connected all characteristics: unreliable or no power; poor roads; 46 branches of Kenya’s National Libraries to high no local engineers; as well as dust and heat. speed internet so that more than 500,000 library Liquid installed its most robust VSAT dish on a members across Kenya have easy – and free – access one-metre high pole. The firm says this offers upload to research materials, opportunities and information. and download speeds of 10Mbps. The antenna is Another more recent deployment was for a school wired to the BRCK Wi-Fi router while power is in the remote village of Kiltamany. According provided by a solar battery and generator set. to Liquid Kiltamany is, in many ways, a typical With almost zero interference, Liquid claims the rural Kenyan village surrounded by kilometres of tablets can be used up to 50 metres from the BRCK dry, dusty barren land. It lies around 160km from router which means people outside the classrooms the nearest town and is a seven hour drive from can also use the network. Indeed parents, teachers, Nairobi. The men herd goats, the women make village elders and others are all encouraged to beaded necklaces, and there are few outside visitors. use the Wi-Fi network after school lessons have There are around 170 children in the school finished, and most of the villagers have accessed divided into eight classes. But recruiting the internet, either by phone or tablet. Liquid Telecom engineers install a VSAT dish on a one- and keeping teachers is difficult. There were With satellite availability of more than 99 metre high pole in the Kenyan village of Kiltamany.

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Register here for your free digital edition http://www.kadiumpublishing.com/forms/africa/sawc_reg.htm INDUSTRY VIEW: MOBILE MONEYNEWS

An ocean apart NITIN MADHAVAN looks at the trends in mobile financial services and telecoms on both sides of the Indian Ocean and discovers similarities as well as marked differences.

he wireless communications markets in The value of m-banking in Africa These figures are lower in Kenya. While formal India and Africa have really advanced inclusion for men in Kenya has risen steadily since over the past couple of years, and we have The African focus now is on expanding the 2006, formal inclusion for women leapt between Tseen operators launching new services as well as mobile money system and adding digitisation to 2009 and 2013 driven by the spread of MFS. strengthening existing ones. improve efficiency – making previously manual This has lessened women’s exclusive reliance on Whilst some areas in both regions still have processes more automated and relying more on the use of informal services. Compared to men, low mobile penetration rates, their markets have systems, networks, processes and technology. however, women still have lower access to formal evolved beyond the initial ‘land grab’ phase In many respects, mobile money is ‘old news’ prudentially regulated services such as banks (35 per of service providers competing for licenses to the African market – Safaricom has been cent for women compared to 50 per cent for men). and rolling out the early networks. The more championing mobile money and payments with Formal inclusion and exclusion also differ across established operators are now looking at revenue M-PESA in Kenya for 10 years now. Whilst other regions within Kenya. Formal inclusion is more improvements through increasing their services countries like Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe than 70 per cent in most parts of the country, but and making their offerings more competitive. are beginning to expand, Kenya and Safaricom slightly lower in the western and coastal areas. One of the most important services in this region remain leaders of the pack. The northern parts of the country continue to face is mobile money and money transfer, with the likes However, although 350 million of the world’s higher levels of exclusion, up to about 52 per cent. of M-PESA which was introduced in Africa in unbanked adults live in sub-Saharan Africa, Going back to South Africa, getting a new 2007, and Immediate Payment Services launched mobile financial services have not had the license for MFS in the country is now difficult by the National Payments Corporation of India in same level of success as Kenya elsewhere on thanks to its formal regulatory framework. 2010 (the NCPI is an umbrella organisation for all the continent. Vodacom and MTN shut down Mobile money proponents I have spoken to say retail payment systems in India). their mobile money services in South Africa the regime is now harder to navigate for new The mobile money markets on both sides of last year, and other countries have struggled. In entrants. Compare that to India where a special the Indian Ocean have now grown beyond initial South Africa’s case, this is most likely because dispensation for non-banks financial companies micropayments and simple money transfers and, the country’s banking system is already very or e-money providers is available. certainly in India, we are transitioning towards a sophisticated and around 80 per cent of the For example, Bharti Airtel has started its own largely cashless society. population have some type of formal bank account. bank, known as a ‘payment bank’. These payment

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banks generally get a quicker license owing to new users, adding more than 14 million new Nitin Madhavan, the capital investments and various other factors accounts in November alone. Meanwhile, Oxigen Regional business when compared to the process of gaining a full- Wallet claims its daily average users increased by development fledged license to start a bank. 167 per cent since demonetisation began. manager, However, while this may make it more attractive The initiative has also presented an opportunity Neural Technologies for telecoms companies to become banks, with great for telcos to open banks, offering competitive interest power comes great responsibility. Furthermore, rates and allowing people to deposit cash and use regulators in both India and Africa are getting their mobiles to make payments for everything from tougher on the telcos. The public sector has cabs to airline flights. This new opportunity gateway become more involved, and operators on both has encouraged new players into the market, but by a staggering 96 per cent when moving from a sides of the ocean are beginning to find themselves has also raised concerns in the fintech community branch infrastructure to a mobile platform.” facing huge fines for any money laundering or about cybersecurity and account hacking. In emerging economies, all this adds up to a illicit activity conducted on their networks. Should Another key driver in mobile financial services very attractive prospect. they fall foul of fraudsters repeatedly, they run (MFS) is serving the unbanked and underbanked. the risk of having their licenses revoked. According to the World Bank, around two billion How IoT will affect the market But for me, the positives of this transition towards adults worldwide don’t use formal financial less cash and a more ‘mobile’ payment society services and more than 50 per cent of adults in the The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has the outweigh the risks. By taking money from paper poorest households are unbanked. ability to take mobile money a stage further and to wireless, many of the previously unbanked The Indian market has around 75 per cent mobile integrate more areas of daily life for people within populations in the rural communities of India penetration and 53.1 per cent financial inclusion, these two markets. Mobile money in emerging and Africa will now be able to move and store presenting a clear opportunity for MFS. As part of its regions will be the catalyst for creating smart funds more easily and safely than ever before. Global Telecoms Risk Management Survey 2016, Neural cities, transferring vast amounts of data over The majority of the population whose transactions polled 113 individuals at different levels in operators networks without requiring human-to-human or are monitored and protected are good, honest folk from every part of the world. The results, published human-to-computer interaction. and this increased visibility in transactions, both in February 2016, revealed that compared to other Once these smart cities emerge, their domestic and across borders, will help the countries regions, Central Asia (which includes India, Pakistan inhabitants will start to see the full potential of in which they operate to trade more freely with and Bangladesh) saw greater opportunities in the the IoT, as interoperability will not be limited the West. In order to trade with the USA and EU, fields of allowing the unbanked to establish a credit to banks and telecoms, but spread to utilities, countries must be able to show that they are on history (25 per cent), and helping the World Bank’s municipal authorities and transportation systems. top of any potential crime (money laundering) ‘unbanked’ initiative (17 per cent) (see graph below). Any company will be able to integrate into this and terrorism threats within their borders. The EY (Ernst & Young) Global Telecommunications payment and mobile money ecosystem and force data available to telcos makes them one of the best leader Prashant Singhal also points out that the competition to innovate. Once an ecosystem positioned to spot terrorism and crime and help law there are three benefits for financial institutions is built, machines or devices will be able to enforcement to stop these threats, enabling greater promoting MFS: expansion of reach; decrease in determine the best rate and company for every trust and better trading potential. capital expenditure due to lesser need for physical aspect of daily life automatically, from electricity infrastructure; and lowering of transaction cost. to groceries to healthcare. India’s MFS drivers “The cost of mobile banking channels is As the IoT spreads its wings worldwide, the significantly lesser compared to traditional technological leaps made by India and Africa India has recently completed a massive demonet- channels,” says Singhal. “For instance, a mobile will set them in good stead to take advantage of isation drive following the abolition of its largest banking transaction can be done at 10 to 15 per cent the digital future. It will be interesting to see how currency notes in a fight against unaccounted of the branch banking cost. The cost involved in these two regions measure up against the UK and wealth and corruption. This initiative has been a financial infrastructure is also much less – USD400 USA in five years’ time. My money would be on boon for local e-payment providers. For example, for agent-enabled mobile banking as compared to these currently ‘emerging’ markets overtaking the mobile payments and commerce platform USD250,000 for a traditional branch. Furthermore, currently ‘developed’ world and setting the bar for provider Paytm reported a three-times surge in for banks the cost to serve customers declines them as we transition into the digital age. n

Provides a channel Shows that our Allows us to Allows the unbanked Assisting the World Not applicable for new services & revenues for our company is compete with to establish a credit Bank’s unbanked Other to my customers innovative our peers history initiative 58 company

52 50 50 47 45 43 43 42

33 29

25 25 25 25 24 22 22 19 17 17 17 17 Figures in percentages Figures 16 14 13 11 11 11 9 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 5 4 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Africa Central & Central Asia Eastern Europe Middle East North America Southeast Asia Western Europe TOTAL Latin America Operators in Africa see MFS as a big opportunity to provide news services and revenues. SOURCE: GLOBAL TELECOMS RISK MANAGEMENT SURVEY 2016, NEURAL TECHNOLOGIES

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EU approves ‘digital dividend’

The European Parliament TCCA CEO Phil Kidner were published in 2016 to establish critical services having to compete has approved the use said his members harmonised technical conditions with consumer services for bandwidth. of 700MHz spectrum for mobile will continue to in the 700MHz band for public “France is currently the only broadband. It will be allocated in lobby for reserved protection and disaster relief (PPDR) member state that has allocated 2020, while any European Union spectrum in the mobile broadband services. dedicated spectrum for PPDR in the member states that need to delay (for 700MHz band. With the European Parliament 700MHz band,” said Kidner. “We certain technical or financial reasons) now having approved the use of are following closely the progress will be able to do so until 2022. will ensure the availability for the spectrum, the TCCA said EU of the Swedish PPDR stakeholders’ In a press announcement published broadcasting services in the sub- members can now start preparing recommendation to hold one of the in mid-March, the parliament said 700MHz band until 2030, and may for the implementation of mobile three 700MHz allocations as a national coordinating the release of the also compensate end-users for any broadband services for mission- asset for a future nationwide mission- spectrum in EU member states is direct costs caused by migration or critical communication applications. critical mobile broadband network. crucial to allow innovative mobile the reallocation of spectrum. However, the association’s CEO “There are also positive developments services, such as remote healthcare, The TCCA, which represents Phil Kidner said his members will in Norway, where a report to the smart cities and connected cars, to the global critical communications continue to lobby governments to national regulator clearly recommends work across the union. industry, welcomed the news. It reserve dedicated spectrum within the taking the needs of PPDR onboard in It added that member states said binding technical provisions 700MHz band to prevent mission- the licensing conditions.” Chile sees regions first NarrowBand IoT Internet of A water utility company in allow the supplier to detect leaks than 300 residential water meters by Chile has successfully tested and unaccounted water flows. reusing the 700MHz LTE network. the body a telemetry solution for residential The experimental deployment NB-IoT offers low-power Ingestible connected pills water meters using NarrowBand was led by Spanish telco Telefónica. wide-area network (LPWAN) that enable wireless medical IoT technology (NB-IoT). It worked with Danish vendor connectivity focused on adapting monitoring have been approved for The system used real data from Kamstrup, which provided the smart devices to the needs of the Internet use in Europe’s hospitals. meters installed with residential meters, and Huawei, which carried of Things market. It is therefore The e-Celsius Performance was customers. It will enable them out the update to the NB-IoT network. said to enable increased battery life, developed by France-based BodyCap to know their exact daily water The pilot in Chile is claimed to be appropriate use-specific cost, wide which specialises in miniaturised usage, and means that the unnamed the first time NB-IoT technology has coverage and indoor penetration. wireless monitoring devices for water company will be able to bill been used in Latin America. The At the same time, the technology e-health applications. The disposable for actual, rather than estimated, partners plan to expand the project aims to allow for great scalability electronic capsule is coated in consumption. Telemetry will also in the near future and include more and comprehensive security. a biocompatible medical grade plastic, and follows the intestinal transit after being swallowed by the patient. The pill then uses 433MHz Wi-Fi optimised at botanic research institute frequencies to wirelessly transmit The Leibniz Institute of used the WHG series WLAN With two WHG405s deployed, IPK measurements of the patient’s core Plant Genetics and Crop gateway-controllers from wireless is able to offer Wi-Fi service tailored body temperature every 30 seconds. Plant Research (IPK) has optimised specialist 4ipnet. According to the for individual user groups. Guests The readings are sent to a its Wi-Fi network using what’s Taiwan-based vendor, its controllers are assigned to the first service zone monitor called an e-Viewer which claimed to be a “unique” system. are “unique” because they integrate and authenticated via the built-in can be up to one metre away. IPK is a non-profit and user authentication, role-based access local user-database with accounts The data show alerts when the internationally renowned botanic policy enforcement, and centralised generated using 4ipnet’s WTG measurement is outside the range genome institution in Germany, and AP management into the same box. keypad-based ticket printer solution. set by the healthcare professional. needed to provide comprehensive Furthermore, 4ipnet says WHG’s The second service zone is Each e-Celsius pill is provided in coverage and reliable connectivity Service Zone feature allows a single configured for visiting researchers. standby mode. When the device is for its researchers. To meet this gateway to simulate multiple Here, users are authenticated by ready to be used, an activation box objective, IPK upgraded its legacy independent virtual networks, each 802.1x directly with their home wakes it up and links it to the e-Viewer Wi-Fi network to a solution based with their own user roles, access institution’s ‘eduroam’ account. The for data collection in real-time on the latest .11ac standard, and policies, and customised login pages. third service zone, ‘ipk’, is exclusively mode, or by recovery from the pill’s reserved for the institute’s employees. internal memory, says BodyCap. 4ipnet’s EAP757, EAP76, and It adds that each device can store OWL630 APs were deployed to up to 2,000 data events and can accommodate the various research remain operational for up to 20 labs, lecture halls, libraries, days, but leaves the patient’s body guesthouses and outdoor facilities. naturally after one to three days. The e-Celsius will be sold directly The Leibniz Institute’s new Wi-Fi or through specialised distributors network features several AP from for a unit price of EUR40 to EU60 4ipnet including the OWL630 (inset). (USD42-63), depending on volume.

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Zong boosts Asian operators gain 5G 4G network headstart with Ericsson in Pakistan Ericsson is helping NBTC secretary demand for broadband and video on Zong, China Mobile’s Singapore pave the general Takorn mobile devices, but also provide a subsidiary in Pakistan, way towards 5G, and has also carried Tantasith outlined “viable and cost effective” alternative is expanding its 4G network and out the first live end-to-end transmission plans to support the to residential fibre connections. services in the country. of the technology in Thailand. transformation to a Thailand’s National Broadcasting The cellco rolled out an additional In late February, the vendor “Digital Thailand”. and Telecommunications Commission 1,000 4G sites across Pakistan in announced that it was piloting key (NBTC) expects to have broadband 2016, expanding its 4G coverage to technologies in the evolution to 5G that provide Singtel with the flexibility connectivity throughout the country more than 100 cities. It currently has will enable Singtel to offer faster speeds to centralise, distribute, scale and by 2018, covering big cities as well as around 6,000 4G sites nationwide, in Singapore by the end of the year. virtualise RAN functions to “efficiently more than 75,000 villages nationwide. and claimed this makes it the Ericsson’s AIR 6468 radio, which is said meet performance requirements today Speaking at the event, NBTC country’s biggest operator in terms to provide 64T64R Massive MIMO and on the road to 5G”. secretary general Takorn Tantasith of LTE coverage. China Mobile has capabilities, will be tested and progres- Earlier this year at an event to said: “Along with the fixed internet so far invested more than USD300m sively deployed on the operator’s LTE mark 111 years in Thailand, Ericsson deployment, we plan to release more in Zong’s 4G network. network. The company said Massive carried out the country’s first live 5G spectrum of 380MHz by 2020 which The operator said it will continue MIMO is key to achieving Gigabit LTE end-to-end demonstration using its will add to the 420MHz already to invest and grow its services speeds as it improves spectral efficiency 5G test bed and core technologies. allocated to the telecommunications to “enable a fully connected to triple or quadruple the number of It claimed to have achieved a peak industry. This will handle the rising environment” for citizens. As data paths of base stations. throughput of 5.7Gbps and latency as demand for online services, IoT and part of this, the company recently The two partners will also pilot a low as 3ms. The company said these innovative applications as the country launched what it described as Cloud RAN. Ericsson said this will speeds not only support growing transforms into a Digital Thailand.” Pakistan’s first cloud based electronic medical record (EMR) and practice management software. Zong’s Cloud Clinik platform aims Jio build largest All-IP services platform to provide EMR solutions for small Cisco is supporting Indian Since its launch, it’s claimed Jio has to handle ever-increasing volumes of and big medical facilities. With this operator Reliance Jio accelerated India’s monthly user data data, and also promises to help shape cloud-based solution, it said doctors Infocomm to expand its All-IP consumption 40 times, the highest the future of India with end-to-end will be able to manage their hospitals converged network. Said to be the in the world. It’s also claimed that digital solutions and broadband for all. and clinics in a paper-free manner world’s first network of its kind, the the operator’s premium broadband In addition, Cisco says Jio’s infra- with no upfront investment. multi-terabit capacity platform is built service, priced at USD0.15 per GB, structure and CDN extends beyond Among some of the features on on Cisco’s Open Network Architecture is the most affordable in the world. India into Singapore, France, London, offer, Cloud Clinik enables medical and Cloud Scale Networking technologies Jio has more than 185,000 miles New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, staff to register patients, manage featuring IP/MPLS. The vendor says of fibre and has built what’s said to and Frankfurt. As a result, it says the appointments, send automated this enables Jio to offer a combination be India’s largest cloud data centre operator has direct interconnect with SMS and email alerts to patients, of high-speed data, mobile video, in order to develop platforms for global carriers and content providers issue e-prescriptions and e-referrals, VoLTE, digital commerce, media, applications and vertical solutions. enabling “low-latency and high-quality and more. cloud and payment services. Its All-IP network has been created experience” for users in India. ‘Not-spots’ eliminated at Sky As part of consolidating to provide a consistent, strong signal its operations, UK- source so that employees could use based satellite broadcaster and their mobile devices, connect to the communication services provider internet and communicate wirelessly Sky has extensively redeveloped its wherever they were on campus. offices. But with multiple floors and While the company had installed the use of dense materials at its site a single operator DAS in existing in west London, wireless signals were buildings at its site, it wanted multi- Set over three floors, Sky Central has a total combined area of around 46,000m2. heavily affected. operator coverage to cope with user The biggest area of concern volumes throughout the much larger imperative that a scalable, high safety access services. It delivered an involved the second phase of the Sky Central area. performing and future-proof solution end-to-end all fibre solution on a single development, Sky Central. Set Martin Eddleston, planning was selected.” converged system within the building. over three floors, this has a total and delivery manager for network Systems integrator Herbert In- Zinwave adds that the platform combined area of around 46,000m2 implementation at Sky, said: “With Building Wireless recommended supports any frequency from 150MHz encompassing office space, a studio, the number of colleagues occupying Zinwave’s UNItivity system because to 2700MHz, and claims it is only production facilities, and R&D our new building and the importance of its ability to support multiple solution that can provide consistent zones. It was vital for Sky to be able of mobile communications, it was operators, services, as well as public mobile coverage inside metal lifts.

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First LTE-R 5G to deliver benefits network SK Telecom and the ‘twice as fast as fibre’ Busan Transportation 5G infrastructure will outstrip 12,000 Corporation (BTC) claim to have the economic benefits of fixed 10,000 deployed the world’s first LTE-R fibre broadband in the UK by 2026, network. LTE-R is a standard for according to a report by Telefónica- 8,000 next-generation railway comms owned mobile operator O2. Ultrafast broadband systems. The two partners first signed It states that 5G will introduce 6,000 5G a contract for the deployment of entirely new industries, platforms 4,000 LTE-R in August 2015. Since then, and services. In addition to GBP7bn Gross value added value Gross SK Telecom has built the network of direct economic value through 2,000 (economic impact,(economic GBPm) for the 40.48km long Busan Subway businesses using the technology, the 0 Line 1 using 10MHz bandwidth in report says the ‘ripple effect’ through

the 700MHz frequency band. In the supply chain will also see 5G 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 February 2017, SK Telecom and BTC indirectly boost UK productivity by economic benefits as fibre by 2026. GBP17.5bn for broadband overall. piloted the LTE-R network and plan an extra GBP3bn a year. Citing data from UK regulator “Mobile is the invisible infrastructure to commercialise it in April 2017. O2 also believes that the added Ofcom, O2 says more than four in that can drive the economy of post- value of 5G to the economy will every five adults in the UK now owns Brexit Britain,” says O2 CEO Mark become apparent almost twice as a smartphone and nearly three quarters Evans. “The future of 5G promises Big fibre in quickly as fibre broadband (see graph, use a mobile device to access the a much quicker return on investment right). Despite fibre broadband rollouts internet on the go. It says the combined than fibre broadband, and a range of already taking place in the country and value of 4G and 5G connectivity unprecedented benefits: from telehealth Hong Kong 5G not scheduled for launch until 2020, will add GBP18.5bn to the economy applications to smarter cities and more Prysmian Group, the Italy- the latter is forecast to achieve the same in less than a decade, compared to seamless public services.” based energy and telecom cable systems specialist, is claiming a world record after delivering the densest and highest fibre count UROS connects smart water grid with IoT underwater optical cable ever made. Roaming specialist UROS by a unique M2M platform pro- says: “The world’s smartest digital The firm said its FlexTube cable (Uni-fi Roaming Solutions) viding global connectivity via the water solutions combined with global containing 1,728 optical fibres was is working with Finland’s Jyväskylä eSIM ecosystem. connectivity and security enable successfully deployed by Australian Energy to create smart management Jyväskylä Energy will use this water management to enter a new telco Superloop for its TKO Express solutions for national water opera- M2M platform to connect its water era in which water will be distributed project. This provides broadband tion systems around the globe. management platform initiative via intelligent water networks and connection between Siu Sai Wan UROS offers worldwide roaming called ‘Pisara’. This is said to offer in which water quality will be con- on Hong Kong Island and the data and IoT solutions for mobile oper- preventive maintenance solutions trolled using AI and smart sensors.” centre hub of Tseung Kwan O (TKO) ators, enterprises and consumers. aimed at avoiding water supply Laitinen adds that people in on the mainland. Prysmian says the The company says its “bill shock- crises and at guaranteeing high- communities around the world previous record was set in 2014 with free” services – which include quality water for consumers. will soon be able to monitor, in a FlexTube cable with 720 fibres. smartphones, apps and Goodspeed Sakari Laitinen, development real-time, the quality of their most 4G mobile Wi-Fi – are provisioned manager at Pisara Water Business, valuable asset – clean water. IoT for Viasat improves driver safety with Orange Honda Orange Business Services temperatures, and roaming-enabled Honda is using IoT to deliver (OBS) has signed a multi- which provides global coverage. the MyHonda Connected Car million dollar three-year contract OBS also provides an IoT system. Using Bright Box’s with Viasat Group for a global IoT management platform that will telematics solutions – which are roaming service for up to 350,000 allow Viasat customers to manage powered by the Cisco Jasper Control SIM cards. It will allow Viasat to and update their own SIMs. It says Center automated IoT connectivity provide global coverage across a the platform can be integrated with management platform – Honda number of markets for services that The Viasat Group’s remote telematics the customer’s back-end system to will deliver a variety of connected include insurance, fleet security and boxes will be able to remotely send provide detailed reports and retrieve services across Europe. They include safety, and telematics. and receive data via the IoT. billing information. vehicle data and diagnostics, alerts Italy-headquartered Viasat In addition, it’s claimed IoT con- and scheduling of maintenance, specialises in satellite-based OBS will provide the IoT nectivity will also allow customers to and GPS tracking. Cisco Jasper says security systems, which it says connectivity to enable the company’s improve the quality of their driving that its partnerships with 50 service incorporate the very latest telematics telematics boxes to remotely send which translates into increased safety providers in more than 100 countries information technologies to and receive data, texts and voice. for passengers as well as vehicles. will enable the car-maker to expand guarantee absolute security for It says the SIMs are reinforced This will ultimately help to lower the its services globally as needed. the vehicle and its occupants. to withstand vibration and high average costs of insurance premiums.

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