CAF 4 2015

Afrique

IPTVNew technologies,convergence andmedia deliverymethods

SatelliteSpace-based connections to serve

social and economic growth

BroadbandNetwork, policy and regulatory

frameworks for fast mobile Internet

DiffusionDes chaînes de télévision

numérique en Afrique

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

L’introduction des technologies numériques au Congo The introduction of digital technologies in the Congo

Africawww.communicationsafrica.com

FEATURES: � Internet � Mobile � InfrastructureREGULAR REPORTS: � Bulletin - Agenda � Solutions

Issue 4 2015Édition 4 2015

CAF 4 2015 Cover_Layout 1 17/07/2015 13:15 Page 1

S01 CAF 4 2015 - Start_Layout 1 17/07/2015 13:17 Page 2

Afrique

IPTVNew technologies,convergence andmedia deliverymethods

SatelliteSpace-based connections to serve

social and economic growth

BroadbandNetwork, policy and regulatory

frameworks for fast mobile Internet

DiffusionDes chaînes de télévision

numérique en Afrique

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

L’introduction des technologies numériques au Congo The introduction of digital technologies in the Congo

Africawww.communicationsafrica.com

FEATURES: � Internet � Mobile � InfrastructureREGULAR REPORTS: � Bulletin - Agenda � Solutions

Issue 4 2015Édition 4 2015

C 13:17 Page 1

A note from the EditorTHIS ISSUE OF CommunicationsAfrica/Afrique is centred around space-based infrastructure and the digitaleconomy. Following the most recentindustry news, this issue begins withanalyses of broadband penetration andtechnologies, and moves on to satelliteconnectivity in relation to socio-economicdynamics. This issue addresses, also,solutions to solve power and capacityproblems, before approaching theadvancement of technologies andbusiness models for digital television andcontent delivery.

Main Cover Image: SESInset: World BankContents Page Image: PerceptionTV

Une note du rédacteurCETTE ÉDITION DE CommunicationsAfrica/Afrique représente l'Internet,l’infrastructure, et la Diffusion. Il y aun article sur le travail d'un nouveaugroupe d’experts spécialisés dansl’Internet des objets et sesapplications. Il y a un autre articleconcernant un réseau de fibreoptique et la modernisation destechnologies au Congo. De plus, il yan rapport sur le sujet ses chaînesde télévision numérique en Afrique.

Bulletin 4

Events 8

Agenda 10

Solutions 32

FEATURES

Internet 16AA The rise in mobile broadband penetration across the continent; and AB the ways in which the Internet of Things transformsbusiness models and commercial operations

Satellite 20CA The satellite sector’s deepening service to society and economy; CB industrial innovation with mobile satellitecommunications; SingTel Singtel’s commitment to satellite connectivity; and EB technologial trends for tomorrow’s space-based networks

Power 25F G Wilson’s expanded range of diesel generators, which are designed specifically to serve telecommunications networkoperators in multiple applications and diverse geographies

Capacity 26EA The current debate over issues affecting the infrastructure of OTT service delivery

Broadcast 28FA How technological and operational developments have advanced the case for localised IP media services; and FB future-ready modular solutions for digital migration, available now

ARTICLES

Internet 19BA FR Des normes de l’UIT comme un nouveau groupe d’experts spécialisés dans l’Internet des objets et ses applications

Infrastructure 27DA FR La pose de la première pierre des travaux de raccordement au réseau de fibre optique lance la modernisation destechnologies au Congo

Diffusion 31FA FR Des chaînes de télévision numérique en Afrique, et le lancement de My TV Smart, Ma TELE et Shashatee sur le satelliteEutelsat 16A

CONTENTS

www.communicationsafrica.com Communications Africa Issue 4 2015 3

Managing Editor: Andrew Croft - [email protected]

Editorial and Design team: Bob Adams, Prashanth AP, Sindhuja Balaji, Hiriyti BairuAndrew Croft, Thomas Davies, Ranganath GS, Rhonita Patnaik, Prasad Shankarappa, Lee TelotLouise Waters and Ben Watts

Production: Charlie Burns, Priyanka Chakraborty, Nikitha Jain, Nathanielle Kumar, Donatella Moranelli,and Sophia Pinto Email: [email protected]

Publisher: Nick Fordham

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Country Representative Telephone Fax EmailChina Ying Matthieson (86)10 8472 1899 (86) 10 8472 1900 [email protected] Tanmay Mishra (91) 80 656 84483 (91) 80 40600791 [email protected] Bola Olowo (234) 8034349299 [email protected] Graham Brown (971) 4 448 9260 (971) 4 448 9261 [email protected] Michael Tomashefsky (1) 203 226 2882 (1) 203 226 7447 [email protected]

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Subscriptions: [email protected]: Derek FordhamPrinted by: Buxton Press Printed in: July 2015Communications Africa/Afrique is a bi-monthly magazine ISSN: 0962 3841

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S01 CAF 4 2015 - Start_Layout 1 17/07/2015 13:17 Page 3

Communications Africa Issue 4 20154

BULLETIN

BICS reports explosion in LTE roaming with month-on-month double digit growthWHOLESALE SERVICES CARRIER BICS has revealed a rapid increase in LTEroaming traffic over its IPX network through 2014, and into the first quarterof 2015, during which time the company experienced a 25 per cent month-on-month growth in traffic, with capacity usage on the BICS GRX networkgrowing 45 per cent and IPX transport (comprising of next generation datatraffic) growing by 400 per cent; “LTE roaming continues to go fromstrength to strength and now boasts an extensive footprint covering over100 countries and over 235 operators supported by the full value IPX canoffer,” said Mikael Schachne, VP mobile data business at BICS.

MTN & Mobisol partner in school electrificationCampaignSOLAR ENERGY ENTERPRISE Mobisol joined mobile network operatorMTN to electrify eight rural Rwandan schools with no prior access toelectricity in the districts of Gicumbi, Ngoma, Kamonyi, Nyagatare,Gakenke, Nyaruguru, Nyabihu and Nyamasheke, as part of the 2015Y’ello Care programme to benefit communities that are disadvantagedby focusing on sustainable ICT initiatives through the provision ofrelevant educational equipment and skills mentoring, with eight high-quality and sustainably managed and maintained Mobisol Solar SchoolSystems installed during the first two weeks of June; Yvonne Mubiligi,MTN’s corporate affairs manager, said, “In partnering with Mobisol toprovide solar systems to schools, we believe that this will produceproductive citizens able to compete in the already hi-tech globalmarket.”

How WFP uses technology to keep tabs on foodsecurity in RwandaWORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP) is using advanced technologies tosupport the Rwandan Government in its efforts towards building thecapacity to develop, design and manage programmes to improve thefood security in the country, by providing 150 computer tablets worthUS$89,000 to assist the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture and AnimalResources (MINAGRI) to collect timely and accurate information that will

help assess the food security situation across the country; "Thesetablets will allow the government to collect real time data on how peopleare eating, how much they pay for food and where potential pockets ofhunger are developing,” said Jean-Pierre de Margerie, WFP countrydirector.

Millicom makes good on commitment to acquireZanzibar Telecom from EtisalatTELECOMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA company Millicom has signed ashare purchase agreement to acquire an 85 per cent stake in ZanzibarTelecom (Zantel) from Etisalat Group; Zantel delivered 2014 grossrevenues of US$82mn and 1.7mn subscribers across Zanzibar andmainland Tanzania, operating 2G and 3G services over 545 networksites, with 57MHz of spectrum1, ownership rights to undersea fibre opticcable capacity, and approximately five per cent of the Tanzanian mobilemarket.

www.communicationsafrica.com

TTCL contracts with Avanti Communications fornational deployment in TanzaniaSATELLITE OPERATOR AVANTI Communications has signed a new contract withTanzania Telecommunications Company Ltd (TTCL), Tanzania’s incumbentnational telecoms operator, to expand TTCL’s high-speed broadband networkto customers beyond thebounds of fibre infrastructure.Deployed via Avanti’s HYLAS 2satellite with 100 per centcoverage of Tanzania, TTCL willsupply a new satellitebroadband offering to itsconsumer, enterprise andgovernment customer baseimminently.

Dr Kamugisha Kazaura, chief executive of TTCL, commented, “Avanti’sproven Ka band satellite technology will deliver high-speed broadband to ournational customer base, which demands the highest levels of service quality.We look forward to addressing Tanzania’s immediate digital divide challengesvia this growing partnership.”

David Williams, chief executive at Avanti Communications, commented,“This is a significant contract with one of the most important telecomsoperators in East Africa. The quality and flexibility built in to Avanti’s networkfrom its design ensures we deliver to the most demanding customers’ needs.Our Ka band satellite technology has a huge role to play in supporting TTCL tobridge Tanzania’s digital divide, today.”

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary launches 2015 reporton State of Blogging & Social MediaTHE BLOGGERS ASSOCIATION ofKenya (BAKE) has released ‘The Stateof Blogging & Social Media in Kenya2015 Report’. It was launched by theKenyan Government Cabinet Secretaryfor ICT Fred Matiangi at the Nailab, oneof Kenya’s top innovation hubs locatedat Bishop Magua Centre in Nairobi.

Mr Matiangi noted that mediatrends are changing and that theInternet is becoming the new media ofchoice, even for the government. Heemphasised that the KenyanGovernment respects the bloggingspace, fundamental rights and thefreedom of expression guaranteed in the new Kenyan Constitution. “It is not theintention of this government to harass anyone online,” he said.

Mr Matiangi called on Kenyan bloggers to apply ethical conduct in theirengagements on social media in order to strengthen the democratic space. Hesaid, “We are not that autocratic regime that will wake up one morning and shutdown the Internet. Let us bring a sense of culture that will create a value systemand shape morals in the social media space.”

Matiangi confirmed that social media have become a security challenge forcountries all over the world. He called on BAKE to organise a framework wherehis office can meet with bloggers on a regular basis to interact on various issuesfacing the online content creator community of bloggers and Social media users.

Mr Matiangi was joined by BAKE chairman Kennedy Kachwanya and thereport’s project lead Njeri Wangari in launching the report which is part ofBAKE’s iFreedoms Project.

The report highlights the significant gains made by bloggers in the promotionof free speech as well as in the creation of quality and diverse content aboutKenya on the Internet.

The event was attended by Kenyan Government officials from the Ministry ofICT, the Kenya ICT Authority, Kenya Media Council, dignitaries from theNorwegian, US and Dutch embassies in Kenya, civil society, activists, bloggersand social media influencers.

Michael Greenwald, public affairs officer at the US Embassy in Nairobi,remarked, “Bloggers play a huge and important role in democracy, the USEmbassy is happy with our continued partnership with BAKE.”

Award-winning Kenyan photojournalist Bo niface Mwangi joined Kenyanadvocate Mugambi Laibuta, ICT Authority CEO Victor Kyallo, Ushahidi directorDaudi Were and Njeri Wangari for a panel discussion on the report during thelaunch ceremony. The panel discussion was moderated by the event MC, RobertMwirigi Kunga.

Avanti’s HYLAS 2 satellite

BAKE’s blogging & social mediareport was launched at the Nailab

S02 CAF 4 2015 - Bulletin_Layout 1 17/07/2015 13:18 Page 4



BULLETIN

Un prix pour l’éducation dans les pays émergentsL’AGENCE UNIVERSITAIRE DE la Francophonie et l’Université de Monsont remis le prix Louis d’Hainaut 2015 de la meilleure thèse entechnologie éducative; le prix Louis d’Hainaut, qui récompense lameilleure thèse de doctorat en technologie éducative;, a été remis le 3juin 2015 à Mme Faouzia Messaoudi du Maroc dans le cadre ducolloque Environnements Informatiques pour l’Apprentissage Humain(EIAH) qui s’est tenu à Agadir.

SAP présente la transformation numérique dans lesecteur de l'aviationLEADER DES APPLICATIONS d’entreprise SAP et plus de 80 de ses clientssont présenté au Salon du Bourget en France pour présenter leursinnovations destinées à l’industrie aéronautique et de la défense (A&D);Torsten Welte, directeur mondial des secteurs de l'aéronautique et ladéfense (l'A&D) chez SAP SE, « Ces solutions permettent à plusieurscentaines d'entreprises du secteur de l'A&D d'optimiser les procédés,d'affiner la différenciation concurrentielle et d'innover pour parfairel'expérience client », a déclaré .

Tap'Touche sur iPad et Chromebook, de DruideinformatiqueDRUIDE INFORMATIQUE A annoncé que Tap’Touche en ligne, sonapplication Web d’apprentissage de la frappe au clavier, estcompatible avec les iPad et les ordinateurs portables Chromebook;toute personne souhaitant améliorer sa maitrise du clavier peuts’abonner à Tap’Touche en ligne via www.taptouche.com.

Orange Business Services et Gemalto offrent unaccès hautement sécurisé aux applications cloudGEMALTO, LEADER MONDIAL de la sécurité numérique, et OrangeBusiness Services, opérateur et intégrateur mondial de solutions decommunication pour les entreprises, ont annoncé l'intégration deSafeNet Authentication Service de Gemalto au sein de Business VPNGalerie, la galerie de services cloud sécurisée d'Orange BusinessServices; « En proposant les solutions d'authentification de Gemalto,nous élargissons l'écosystème des applications accessibles via laBusiness VPN Galerie et renforçons la sécurité des accès à cesapplications via notre réseau cloud mondial » affirme Pierre-LouisBiaggi, vice-président en charge des réseaux au sein d'OrangeBusiness Services.


LES MEMBRES DE l’UIT ont créé une nouvelleCommission d’études de l’UIT–T qui sera chargéed’examiner les besoins de normalisation destechnologies de l’Internet des objets (IoT) tout enprivilégiant, dans un premier temps, lesapplications de l’IoT dans les villes intelligentes.

Cette nouvelle Commission est la “Commissiond’études 20 de l’UIT–T : l’Internet des objets et sesapplications, y compris les villes et lescommunautés intelligentes”. Elle sera chargée desnormes internationales qui garantiront undéveloppement coordonné des technologies del’IoT, y compris les communications de machine àmachine et les réseaux de capteurs ubiquitaires.Elle élaborera des normes qui permettront d’utiliserle potentiel des technologies de l’IoT pour trouverune solution aux problèmes liés à l'urbanisation. La

normalisation des architectures de bout en boutpour l’IoT et les mécanismes pour assurerl’interopérabilité des applications et ensembles dedonnées IoT utilisées par divers secteurs verticauxde l’industrie constitueront une partie essentiellede son travail.

Le déploiement des technologies de l’IoT devraitpermettre de connecter, selon les estimations, 50milliards de dispositifs au réseau à l’horizon 2020,ce qui aura des incidences sur pratiquement tousles aspects de notre vie quotidienne. L’Internet desobjets contribue à la convergence des secteurs del’industrie, en particulier les secteurs des servicescollectifs, des soins de santé ou des transportsfaisant partie des nombreux secteurs qui ont unintérêt dans l’avenir des technologies de l’IoT. Lanouvelle Commission d’études de l’UIT–T est la

nouvelle plate-forme spécialisée dans lanormalisation de l’IoT nécessaire pour que cetteconvergence s’appuie sur un ensemble cohérent denormes internationales.

Les technologies de l’IoT donnent aux paysdéveloppés comme aux pays en développement lapossibilité de transformer les infrastructuresurbaines en tirant parti des gains d’efficacitéinhérents aux bâtiments et systèmes de transportintelligents ainsi qu’aux réseaux d’alimentationélectrique et de distribution d’eau intelligents. L’UITest bien placée pour aider les pouvoirs publics et lesecteur privé à mettre à profit cette opportunité.

“Construire des villes intelligentes et durablesnécessitera une collaboration efficace entre lesecteur public et le secteur privé,” a déclaré leSecrétaire général de l’UIT M Houlin Zhao. Etd’ajouter :“ Cette nouvelle Commission d’études del’UIT–T rassemblera en son sein des acteurs venantd’horizons divers qui mettront les compétencestechniques de l’UIT au service d’autres secteurs del’industrie et des administrations nationales etmétropolitaines responsables des questionsd’urbanisation.”

“Les cinq années à venir seront déterminantespour exploiter tout le potentiel des technologies del’IoT,” a déclaré M Chaesub Lee, Directeur duBureau de la normalisation des télécommunicationsde l’UIT. “L’UIT–T s’emploie activement à élaborerdes normes pour l’IoT et nous cherchons à aider lesvilles dans le monde entier à créer les conditionsnécessaires pour démontrer l’utilité destechnologies de l’IoT dans la solution desproblèmes d’urbanisation.”

Le nouveau groupe d’experts spécialisés dans l’Internet des objets et ses applications

M Chaesub Lee, Directeur du Bureau de lanormalisation des télécommunications de l’UIT

le Secrétaire général de l’UIT M Houlin Zhaoxx


S03 CAF 4 2015 - Events_Layout 1 17/07/2015 13:48 Page 7

Communications Africa Issue 4 20158 www.communicationsafrica.com

AGENDA

JULY/JUILLET30 Jun-1 Jul VAS Africa Johannesburg, South Africa vasafrica.comworldseries.com

5-7 HR4ICT Maputo, Mozambique www.cto.int

6-8 PACT Kampala, Uganda ib2com.org/PACT

15-17 Mediatech Africa Johannesburg, South Africa mediatech.co.za

28-29 Banking & Mobile Money Lagos Lagos, Nigeria aitecafrica.com

AUGUST/AOÛT10-11 Broadcast, Film & Music Africa Nairobi, Kenya aitecafrica.com

SEPTEMBER/SEPTEMBRE8-9 Capacity Africa Dar es Salaam www.capacityconferences.com

9-10 Banking & Mobile Money COMESA Nairobi, Kenya aitecafrica.com

10-15 IBC Amsterdam, The Netherlands www.ibc.org

14-16 Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum Nairobi, Kenya www.cto.int

15-16 Cards & Payments East Africa Nairobi, Kenya www.terrapinn.com

15-16 Ecommerce Show East Africa Nairobi, Kenya www.terrapinn.com

22-23 Internet of Things Security Boston, USA iotsecurityevent.com

22-23 Nigeria Com Lagos, Nigeria nigeria.comworldseries.com

29-30 Middle East Com Dubai, UAE me.comworldseries.com

OCTOBER/OCTOBRE12-15 ITU Telecom World Budapest, Hungary telecomworld.itu.int

14-16 ICDE Sun City, South Africa www.unisa.ac.za

18-22 GITEX Dubai, UAE www.gitex.com

21-22 Banking & Mobile Money Accra Accra, Ghana aitecafrica.com

26-27 CN4IoT Rome, Italy cloudniot.org

26-29 SecureComm Dallas, USA securecomm.org

Events/Événements 2015

GLOBAL SATELLITE OPERATOR ABS has selectedBoeing Satellite International, Inc (Boeing) tomanufacture the ABS-8 satellite, which will replaceABS-7 at 116.1 degree East orbital location, deliveringsignificant expansion capacity for Asia, Russia and theMiddle East. The satellite is expected to launch in 2017.

ABS-8 will be the third innovative all-electricpropulsion 702SP satellite ordered from Boeing thatminimises the spacecraft’s mass and maximisesavailable payload. The spacecraft will have over 9kW ofpayload power and it will be equipped with 50 activetransponders. ABS-8 will incorporate traditional widebeam coverage beams in C and Ku bands, a high-power ultra-throughput multi-spot Ku-band and asteerable high-power Ka-band beam payloadconfiguration to deliver both performance andflexibility. This satellite will expand broadcast, dataand enterprise services to multiple markets: the MiddleEast, Russia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the South Pacific region.“The procurement of ABS-8 shows our confidence and trust with Boeing

on the all-electric propulsion 702SP platformtechnology. The prescribed satellite payload of C, Kuand Ka beams with wide beams and high throughputcapacity would serve the government, mobility,telecoms, DTH and Rural broadband sectors,” saidTom Choi, CEO of ABS. “ABS is committed tocontinually innovate and improve the competitivenessof the FSS industry for the betterment of ourcustomers”.

“The decision by ABS to order a third Boeing 702SPsatellite is a testament to our customer’s confidence inthe capabilities of this satellite,” said Mark Spiwak,president of Boeing Satellite Systems International,Inc. “With the innovative all-electric propulsion design,Boeing is able to maximize payload while decreasingoverall satellite mass and cost.”

ABS-8 will follow the launch of ABS-2A which isscheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of this year.

This is part of ABS’ expansion plans to add more satellites and theassociated capable and flexible capacity to its growing fleet.

ABS selects Boeing to build ABS-8, its third all-electric propulsion hybrid satellite

Boeing will build ABS-8

S03 CAF 4 2015 - Events_Layout 1 17/07/2015 13:48 Page 8

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S04 CAF 4 2015 - Agenda_Layout 1 17/07/2015 13:49 Page 9

1 5

THE TELECOMS INDUSTRY represents a criticalcomponent of economic growth, affecting all aspectsof the business and social sphere. The continent hasseen a dramatic expansion in its telecoms sectorover the past five years. Mobile subscriptionexpansion in Africa is currently the fastest worldwide(72 per cent penetration on average across thecontinent).

Consequently, a huge amount of investment ishappening to improve Africa's infrastructure to copewith higher levels of data usage and the need forbetter connectivity, particularly in rural areas. Forexample, Algérie Télécom, in northern Africaannounced plans to deploy 20,000km of additionalfibre by the end of 2015.

The international telecoms community alsorecognises Africa as an area of high value for newbusiness. Gagun Gahir, director of carrier services forEMEA for the American telecommunicationscompany IDT Corporation, said Africa "is a massiveinvestment opportunity" with US$25bn needed "tobuild the next generation of internet-readynetworks".

Due to the size and scale of investmentopportunities in African telecoms, wholesaletelecoms carriers from across the globe meetannually at Capacity Africa, the largest pan-Africanwholesale conference to network, develop business

and hear industry leaders deliver future commercialstrategy. Taking place on 8 & 9 September in Dar esSalaam, 400+ senior telecoms executives from over65 countries will take advantage of the entire Africantelecoms ecosystem being represented, all lookingto secure new deals in the region's lucrativetelecoms market.

Mike Last, director of marketing and internationalbusiness development at WIOCC, said, "CapacityAfrica is without a doubt the best networking eventfor the African wholesale telecoms industry," addingit attracts "a very strong set of African andinternational carriers and creating a greatenvironment for doing business".

Expanding networks means increased demand forinfrastructure and competition amongst operators.Regulators are playing a key role in providing stabilityto these operators active in the region ensuring amarket driven industry. Capacity Africa recognisesthis, offering an agenda which brings together boththe C-level executives of major telecomsorganisations such as Seacom, Liquid Telecom,WIOCC as well as the regulators such as the NigeriaCommunications Commission to discuss the latestgrowth opportunities in front of an audience made upof the key decision makers in African telecoms.

www.capacityconferences.com/Capacity-Africa


AGENDA

10

WIFI PROVIDER ALWAYSON haslaunched its Croid devices inSouth Africa, enabling users tomake calls over WiFi or a datapackage, offering a cheaper wayof calling than using a network.All users have to do is registeron the AlwaysOn Website; afterreceiving an SMS, they justneed to follow the instructions.Once installed, the user’s phonewill automatically choose WiFior other data networks to makecalls. “AlwaysOn provides its servicesto close to a million monthlyusers, and the company iscommitted to ensuring thatanyone who wants to beconnected gets the bestpossible deal,” said AlwaysOnMD Hayden Lamberti at theservice launch.“For South Africans wanting toget the best deal and maximisetheir time online, this is theperfect answer.”

PAN-AFRICAN TELECOM ENABLER andnetwork provider Seacom has addedthe Deutscher Commercial InternetExchange (DE-CIX) in Frankfurt,Germany, to the growing list ofEuropean Internet exchange points atwhich it peers. This new peeringagreement will mean that Seacomclients will enjoy better performanceand less latency when they connect toWeb services in central Europe.DE-CIX provides premium IX

services to all kinds of networks andoperates several carrier neutral andindependent Internet exchanges (IXs)in the world, including DE-CIXFrankfurt. Founded in 1995, DE-CIXprovides the infrastructure for directand settlement-free IPinterconnection, called peering, andserves 700+ carriers, ISPs and contentnetworks from 60+ countries inFrankfurt (Germany), New York (USA),Dubai (UAE), Palermo (Italy), Marseille(France), Istanbul (Turkey), Hamburg(Germany) and Munich (Germany).DE-CIX operates the industry's

most robust and advanced peeringplatform DE-CIX Apollon. All types ofISPs including broadband providers,content delivery networks, web

hosters, and incumbent operators useDE-CIX services to improve their IPperformance and lower their IP transitcosts.DE-CIX Frankfurt is a leading

Internet exchange point in the heartof Europe. The carrier-neutralexchange has the world's largest andmost advanced Ethernet-basedplatform, DE-CIX Apollon, deliveringhigh-availability peering with full100Gbps Ethernet capabilities.Seacom head of engineering Mark

Tinka said, “Our peering arrangementat DE-CIX means that African carriersand service providers will be able toefficiently and securely exchangeInternet traffic with many majorproviders in central and WesternEurope. Since we have a full-serviceIP/MPLS point of presence in Frankfurtand control the experience from endto end, Seacom can offer itscustomers high levels of serviceavailability and quality at anaffordable cost. With the stronggrowth in Internet traffic betweenAfrica and Europe, we want to helpAfrican Internet users reach theservices they want to access with asfew hops as possible.”

Seacom and DE-CIX connects Africa and Europe

SOUTH AFRICA’S LEADING hotels are expected to digitally change theway in which guests can check in to hotels in the near future. Newprogrammes and technologies will help speed up and may even do awaywith the check-in process, according to the 2015 PwC Hospitality &Gaming Industry report.

“Hotel business models are increasingly undergoing change in theadvent of the digital era. Consumers are choosing when, where and howthey want to interact with hotels, using an array of technologicaldevices,” said Nikki Forster, PwC leader of hospitality & gaming industryfor Southern Africa.

Technology is making it easier and more efficient for guests to accesshotels whenever and wherever they want. This is done by way oftechnological devices that usually involve strategically designed andfree smartphone apps and Bluetooth technologies, said Veneta Eftychis,PwC senior manager, hospitality & gaming industry. On installation of anapp, guests can do an array of things such as selecting their hotel rooms,as well as making reservations and payment. They can also check inonline and have direct access to their rooms on arrival. Ultimately, withapps and Bluetooth technologies, guests’ phones become their roomkeys for the duration of their stay.

“They need not stop at the reception,” Eftychis said.In addition, apps allow guests control in-room electronics, such as air

conditioners, TV sets, curtains and blinds. They can even order roomservice and make reservations for restaurants and spa treatments. Onceguests have checked out of hotels, the apps delete the NFC (Near FieldCommunications) or Bluetooth code for the room.

Eftychis said that research carried out in the hotel industry indicatesthat hoteliers believe the technology will make their guests muchhappier. “It also makes for more streamlined and efficient runningoperations,” she added. In addition, the technology will providehoteliers with more marketing and branding opportunities.

Calls over WiFi in SACapacity for new investment in African telecommunications

A digital key to open the hotel door



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www.intelsat.com/AfricaBB4


DATA, VOICE AND IP provider Liquid Telecom hasfollowed its recent purchase of a bundle of EXFOoptical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs) withupgrades to intelligent Optical Link Mapper (iOLM)licenses after realising the added value and costsavings offered by this innovative solution in terms oftraining, support and repetitive truck rolls.

The Liquid Telecom Group has been building anddeploying the largest single-fibre network across thecontinent. This FTTH network using GPON architecturespans Africa's fastest-growing economies, stretchingin excess of 18,000km across Uganda, Kenya,Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, DRC,Lesotho and South Africa. This important project isunderscored by its own specific set of challenges,mainly arising from the African continents geography,remote locations and the introduction of new andcontinuously developing skills.

In an effort to bridge this gap, Liquid Telecomrecently turned to EXFO's iOLM solution offering afirst-time-right, no-training-required approach toOTDR testing. The iOLM is an OTDR-based applicationdesigned to simplify OTDR testing by eliminating theneed to configure parameters, and/or analyse andinterpret multiple complex OTDR traces. The iOLM'sadvanced algorithms dynamically define the testingparameters, as well as the number of acquisitionsthat best fit the network under test. By correlatingmultipulse widths on multiple wavelengths, the iOLM

locates and identifies faults with maximum resolution- all at the push of a single button.

"The iOLM's advanced automation enables a widerchoice of frontline technicians with a variety offibre�optics�engineering skill levels to characteriseend�to�end fibre links in the same way that our expertOTDR technicians would, thereby providing expert-level analysis even out in remote and challengingregions," said Liquid Telecom's Keith Rowley, chief ofinfrastructure architecture, planning & deployment."Not only are the comprehensive link view and faultdiagnosis enabling us to lower training and supportcosts, they are also freeing up our more experiencedtechnicians to concentrate on added-value, expert-level tasks. In addition, the ability to integrate theiOLM's automatically generated schematic reportswith our network records inventory system allows fora more detailed view of our tested operationalenvironments."

"Liquid Telecom's decision to employ the iOLMsolution to cope with its training and remote supportissues confirms the key benefits of this tool: optimalperformance and easy-to-understand, first-time-rightresults," said Stéphane Chabot, Vice-President ofEXFO's physical-layer test division. "Various fibredeployments around the world are facing similar skill-level challenges, with a need for expert-levelsolutions to reduce OPEX while ensuring fast andeffective network delivery."


AGENDA

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MOBILE MONEY SOLUTIONSprovider Creova has formed apartnership with CarrefourTunisia for its mobile moneyinitiative in the Tunisianmarket. The new partnershipwith Carrefour, one of thelargest retailers in the world,will help boost adoption ofmobile payment services.Creova’s technology allowsCarrefour retail outlets to offermobile transactions thatinclude recharge (also knownas top-up) services and otherservices to be addedgradually."The mobile services marketis growing and being theleader is important. CarrefourTunisia is offering 'electronicmobile top-up' solutions at itscashiers, thanks to the Creovatechnology, and will graduallyadd new services," said CherifKaroui, GM of CarrefourTunisia.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION technology (ICT) solutions provider PhaseOne has entered into a groundbreaking alliance with Africare, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to addressing Africandevelopment and policy issues.The new alliance, called Africare ICT, builds upon and enhances Africa's

existing ICT systems to accelerate development at the community level inagriculture, education, governance, and healthcare.Working with Africa's public and private sectors – ranging from African

government agencies to entrepreneurial information technology start-upcompanies – the Africare and Phase One alliance provides knowledge andtools to refine the processes for gathering, sharing, and accessing data thatwill advance health and economic opportunities for Africans."Africare recognises the pressing need to improve communications in the

rural and urban communities we serve. Africare ICT solves this challenge andgives our staff and community leaders access to real-time information tomake informed decisions on urgent matters involving health, nutrition,agriculture and other vital disciplines across the continent. This partnershipbrings technology to improve the lives of Africans in some of the world's mostfragile communities," said Kendra Davenport, chief of staff and chiefdevelopment & communications officer at Africare.Africare has successfully addressed challenges on the continent from Ebola

to food security by working with African leaders, individuals, andorganisations at the community level. Africare ICT will employ this provenmodel to quickly discern specific community needs and rapidly makerecommendations to address the needs with ICT solutions."Technology will be the key enabler of Africa's future. As a technology firm,

Phase One is passionate about rising to the occasion to support Africare andjoin with other global companies to help Africans leverage technologies formodern governance and services to their citizens," remarked Jerad Speigel,chief executive office at Phase One.

Africare and Phase One form allianceEGYPTIAN MOBILE SERVICE provider Etisalat Misr has chosen an IBMFlashSystem, a sophisticated storage solution, to protect against fraud.This will help enable Etisalat Misr to speed up real-time analyticssignificantly, to identify fraudulent activity in areas such as calls andunauthorised Internet use.

Etisalat Misr provides a full range of voice and data services to morethan 22mn subscribers in Egypt, which includes telecom services to thelargest Egyptian enterprises. With increasing competition, the companyfaced challenges in delivering enhanced performance, availability,analytics and security to its growing customer base.

Etisalat’s fraud management system depends on data received fromnetwork switches to detect fraud. However it often took as long as threedays to capture and analyse fraud data.

To resolve delays in its fraud management system, Etisalat Misrdecided to use IBM FlashSystem V840 to improve the efficiency of itsfraud management application, reducing the time spent on processingcall records by a factor of 15 times and improving the speed of frauddetection by a factor of 37 times.

“We are growing very fast and as a result, we are continuously lookingfor innovative IT solutions that can help deliver seamless security andend-to-end management of our clients' devices, content andtransactions,” said Khalid AlKaf, director of operations & infrastructureat Etisalat Misr. “Modernising our storage is key to compete in aninterconnected world and supports our growth.”

Ahmed Bourham, systems group manager at IBM Egypt, added, “Intoday’s environment, risk and fraud management must be pervasivethroughout an organisation’s culture and operating model. IBM’s flash andsoftware defined storage technologies can help organisations bringtogether fragmented data from segregated systems and a variety of sourcesto deliver enhanced insights to mitigate risk and better manage fraud.”

Creova and Carrefouract together in Tunisia

Liquid Telecom invests in EXFO's iOLM technology

Etisalat Misr fights fraud with IBM analytics



TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR ORANGE, together with the ACEconsortium, has launched the ACE cable in Cotonou, Benin andTenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The connection of these twostations is part of the second phase of deployment of the ACEsubmarine cable, which nowserves 18 countries: France,Portugal, the CanaryIslands (Spain),Mauritania,Senegal, Gambia,Guinea, SierraLeone, Liberia,Côte d’Ivoire,Benin, Ghana,Nigeria,EquatorialGuinea, Gabon,and São Toméand Príncipe.Two landlockedcountries, Maliand Niger, areconnected via aterrestrialextension.

Beyond the connectivity between Africa and Europe, thanks tointerconnections with other submarine cables, ACE constitutesanother route to the Americas and Asia for Africa. Moreover, ACE isan alternative for network traffic between Europe and Asia goingthrough Africa. The cable also diversifies transmission arteriesbetween Portugal and France.


AGENDA

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AT MEDIATECH AFRICA 2015, videohybrid contribution systems providerAviwest demonstrated newenhancements to its digital mobilenews gathering (DMNG) system,which has been widely deployed bytier-1 broadcasters in Africa.Aviwest's advanced live video

contribution platform enablesbroadcasters to capture andbroadcast live HD or SD video overmultiple networks, including bonded3G/4G cellular wireless, Wi-Fi,Ethernet, and satellite, making it theideal solution for use in Africanmarkets, where cellular networkscontinue to grow.Offering seamless integration into existing workflows and

headends, extremely low power consumption, high MTBF, andunparalleled mobility, the DMNG system offers broadcasters afully integrated and cloud-based solution for breaking newsand live events coverage.Aviwest showcased a new version of its DMNG Studio

server, which is capable of receiving incoming streams fromDMNG video uplink systems as well as third-party products,such as IP cameras, through a variety of protocols such asRTP, RTSP, TS over UDP, HLS, and RTMP. Aviwest alsodemonstrated the DMNG App, which turns any smartphone

into a live broadcast video camera.Designed with ease of use in mind,the DMNG APP allows any Android oriOS-based smartphone user totransmit video content in justseconds.Aviwest recently launched a

specially designed backpack for theDMNG Pro video uplink system, whichwas on display at Mediatech Africa2015, which is ideal for broadcastersutilising the DMNG Pro with ahandheld camera.The latest DMNG Pro now comes

standard with a new integration withCobham's Explorer 710 BGAN

terminal, an ultra-portable satellite antenna. When usedduring satellite transmission, the Cobham antenna providesreal-time information about the satellite's available bit rate,enabling the DMNG PRO to compress video contentaccordingly to ensure superior video quality.Moreover, Aviwest demonstrated new cloud-based

capabilities for the DMNG Manager at Mediatech Africa 2015.The DMNG Manager is an innovative server application thatenables broadcasters and video professionals to monitor andmanage an entire fleet of DMNG equipment including DMNGtransmitters, smartphones using the DMNG APP, and DMNGStudio receivers.

The ACE cable will cover 17,000 kilometres and will be extended to South Africa

Today’s tier-1 broadcasters see how to shape tomorrow’s live video

ORANGE, AINSI QUE tous les membres du conncent la mise enservice du câble ACE à Cotonou (Bénin) et à Ténériffe (Iles Canaries,Espagne). La connexion de ces deux stations s’inscrit dans la secondephase de déploiement du câble sous-marin ACE qui dessertaujourd’hui 18 pays : la France, le Portugal, les Iles Canaries(Espagne), la Mauritanie, le Sénégal, la Gambie, la Guinée, la SierraLeone, le Libéria, la Côte d’Ivoire, le Bénin, le Ghana, le Nigéria, laGuinée Equatoriale, le Gabon et Sao Tomé & Principe. Deux pays sansfaçade maritime, le Mali et le Niger, sont connectés grâce à unprolongement terrestre. Le câble ACE qui étend l’accès à l’internethaut-débit en Afrique et apporte de la capacité supplémentaire auxréseaux internationaux existants, parcourra 17 000 km et seraprolongé jusqu’en Afrique du Sud au terme de la seconde phase. Desbranches sont prévues pour relier le Cameroun, qui vient de signerl’accord formalisant son entrée dans le consortium ACE, laRépublique Démocratique du Congo, l’Angola et la Namibie.Depuis la mise en service de la première phase, en décembre 2012,

sept des pays connectés – la Gambie, la Guinée, la GuinéeEquatoriale, le Libéria, la Mauritanie, Sao Tomé & Principe et la SierraLeone – ont bénéficié pour la première fois d’une connexion directe àun câble sous-marin, leur permettant d’accéder de manière optimaleau réseau haut débit international.Pour accomplir cet ambitieux projet, Orange, accompagné de ses

filiales Côte d’Ivoire Telecom, Orange Cameroun, Orange Mali,Orange Niger et Sonatel, s’est entouré de partenaires majeurs au seind’un consortium international. Au-delà de la connectivité Afrique –Europe, et grâce aux interconnexions avec d’autres câbles sous-marins,ACE constitue pour l’Afrique une route supplémentaire vers l’Amériqueet l’Asie. De plus, ACE constitue une alternative pour acheminer le traficentre l’Europe et l’Asie en passant par l’Afrique. Enfin, ce câble diversifieles artères de transmission entre le Portugal et la France.

GRAPHIC IMAGE TECHNOLOGIES(GIT), which distributes broadcastsolutions, has showcased itsbroadcast technology at MediaTech2015. The company launched thelatest Harmonic ZiXi software, TVUand Actus solutions:• Harmonic ZiXi software enables

the delivery of broadcast-quality high definition (HD)video over the Internet andmobile networks to any device.

• TVU solutions assist with the transformation of broadcaster’sSDI-based operations includingacquisition, transmission, routing,distribution and management toan IP-based infrastructure.

• Actus provides a user-friendlyvideo monitoring and loggingsolution that records, stores andindexes broadcast content fromany input, any number ofchannels while offeringsimultaneous 24/7 access tocontent.

GIT’s solution on show at MediaTech

ACE connects Benin and Canary Islands La connexion ACE du Bénin et des Iles Canaries


Aviwest showcased a new version of its DMNGStudio server at Mediatech Africa 2015


SELON LES EXPERTS, non seulement l'accèsdes femmes africaines aux technologies del'information (TI), comme les téléphonesintelligents, contribue à combler le fossé entreles hommes et les femmes en matièred'utilisation des TI, mais c'est aussi un moteurmajeur de croissance économique pourl'ensemble du continent. C'était le thèmeprincipal d'une discussion de groupe sur lesfemmes et les TI, qui a été organisée dans lecadre des 50e Assemblées annuelles duGroupe de la Banque africaine dedéveloppement (BAD), à Abidjan.

Le secteur des TI à l'échelle mondiale estextrêmement profitable, a déclaré ShireenShantosham du Programme de Connexion desFemmes du Groupe Speciale MobileAssociation ».

« 170 milliards sur cinq ans », a-t-elleindiqué, « dont 30 milliards sont représentéspar l'Afrique subsaharienne ».

Shantosham, les représentants de Google,d'Intel et d'OXFAM, et le Ministre de la Poste etdes Technologies de l'Information et de laCommunication en Côte d'Ivoire, Bruno Koné,ont tous indiqué que leurs organisationsœuvrent en faveur de l'inclusion, tout enconvenant que certains obstacles majeurs

compromettent l'accès des femmes aux TI.Shantosham a déclaré que son organisationavait mené l'une des quelques études sur ceproblème. Selon elle, le coût, la qualité deréseau, la sécurité individuelle, lesconnaissances techniques et la confiance sontles principaux aspects qui retiennent lesfemmes.

« Les femmes sont harcelées par desinconnus au téléphone » a indiquéShantosham. C'est ce qui se passe quand deshommes composent un numéro au hasard,trouvent une femme, et l'appellent de façonrépétée. « Ce phénomène peut susciter unecertaine méfiance au sein du foyer » et même

amener l'un des hommes de la famille àrestreindre, voire à interdire l'accès aux IT, a-t-elle ajouté.

La Côte d’Ivoire ouvre la voie dansl'élimination de certains de ces obstacles.Bruno Koné a déclaré que le pays compte 22millions d'abonnés à des services mobiles etque le rapport entre les hommes et les femmesest à peu près équitable, ce qui représente unaccomplissement majeur par rapport à d'autresnations sur le continent. Il a ajouté que legouvernement dispose d'un plan en cinqpoints qui vise à s'assurer qu'un public vasteaccède aux technologies et qui implique desréglementations, une connectivité et un accèsaux équipements, au contenu et à desformations. Par ailleurs, Koné a indiqué queson pays a formulé des lois relatives à lacyberprotection et qu'il lance actuellement desprogrammes d'accès et procède à la connexiondes zones rurales aux TI. Il a également déclaréque 3 000 communautés rurales disposentaujourd’hui de cybercentres.

Selon Assiatou Sow d'Intel, « tous lesgouvernements devraient suivre l'exemple dela Côte d’Ivoire ». Elle a indiqué que l'accès àl'Internet a eu un impact énorme dans le succèsde lutte contre la pauvreté dans les pays.


AGENDA

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QUELQUE 400 ÉMINENTS décideursvenant d'organismes deréglementation des technologies del'information et de la communication(TIC) et d'entreprises de premier plandu secteur de haute technologie dumonde entier réunis au Gabon pourdébattre des meilleures stratégiespour promouvoir l'inclusionnumérique et exploiter l'énormepotentiel de croissance deséconomies émergentes et desmarchés des pays en développement.Accueillie par l'Autorité de

Régulation des CommunicationsElectroniques et des Postes (ARCEP)du Gabon, sous le haut patronage duPrésident Ali Bongo Ondimba, lamanifestation était le plus grandrassemblement au monde despécialistes des politiques des TICvenus du secteur public et du secteurprivé, le colloque mondial desrégulateurs (GSR) organisé par l'UITvise à stimuler un débat approfondientre experts, le partage deconnaissances et l'échange de bonnespratiques entre régulateurs, hautsresponsables de la réglementationd'entreprises privées, analystes despolitiques publiques et autres parties

prenantes de premier plan du secteurdes TIC. Le thème retenu pour l'éditionde cette année est "Attention à lafracture numérique! Mesuresd'incitation réglementaires visant àconcrétiser le potentiel dunumérique". Les principaux sujetsabordés pendant ce programme ontété, entre autres, les paiements surmobile, les modèles de partage deréseaux, la fiscalité et l'économienumérique, le tout Internet, larèglementation et l'adoption du largebande et la façon dont laréglementation peut contribuer àl'accessibilité pour tous.L'ARCEP et l'UIT ont accueilli le

Colloque qui était présidé par lePrésident de l'ARCEP M Lin Mombo. Lacérémonie d'ouverture, tenue cematin, s'est déroulée en présence d'uncertain nombre d'hôtes prestigieuxdont M Séraphin Moundounga, Ministrede la Justice du Gabon, M PastorNgoua Nneme, Ministre de l'économienumérique et des postes; M Jean-François Ndongou, président duConseil National de la Communication;et M Abdoulkarim Soumaila, secrétairegénéral de l'Union africaine desTélécommunications.

Le groupe sur les femmes et les TI a étéorganisée dans le cadre des 50e Assembléesannuelles du Groupe de la Banque africaine dedéveloppement (BAD), à Abidjan

Des spécialistes des TIC réunis au Gabon

LA PLATEFORME NOVATRICE de télésanté, SATMED, a été déployée à lamaternité d'Ahozonnoude, au Bénin, afin d'améliorer les soins. Grâce àla connectivité Internet par satellite de SES, la plateforme SATMED sertcomme outil de consultation et de suivi médical à distance et permet descommunications efficaces entre la maternité d'Ahozonnoude, l'hôpitalde Cotonou, la capitale, et un troisième établissement hospitalier situéà Allada. Le personnel médical et de soutien des hôpitaux a reçu uneformation sur l'utilisation et l'entretien du matériel SATMED et lepersonnel sur le terrain recevra un soutien continu.

Au Bénin, le système de télésanté est le seul moyen d'assurer descommunications efficaces entre les trois établissements hospitaliersétant donné que les routes sont souvent inaccessibles pour caused'inondations durant la saison des pluies. Une formation à distancesupplémentaire doit être offerte en ligne, ce qui permettra à un médecindésigné de surveiller et d'évaluer la performance des sages-femmes etdes soignants en formation, améliorant ainsi les soins de santé àl'échelle locale, régionale et nationale.

Réalisée conjointement avec la Fondation Follereau Luxembourg(FFL), l'installation vise à améliorer la santé de la mère et de l'enfantdurant et après l'accouchement en plus de contribuer à l'améliorationdes connaissances médicales au moyen des installations deconsultation et de suivi à distance.

Gerhard Bethscheider, directeur général de SES Techcom Services, aaffirmé : « Nous sommes très heureux de constater que SATMED permetde surmonter les obstacles au déploiement des services de santé enAfrique, où les infrastructures terrestres sont parfois défaillantes, voireabsentes. Grâce à la technologie satellitaire, nous sommes désormaisen mesure de contribuer à l'amélioration de la qualité des services desanté et de la rapidité avec laquelle les soins sont prodigués dans lesrégions rurales et isolées, contribuant ainsi à l'avancement à une bienplus grande échelle.

L'accès des femmes africaines aux technologies de l'information promeut la croissance

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Evidence indicates that Africa’s mobile broadband penetration and adoption is soaring -albeit from a low base

Network-readyfor rapid connections

INTERNET Mobile Broadband

THE CURRENT STATE of Africa’s mobile broadband endowmentcan perhaps best be likened to the fabled curate’s egg - goodin parts. Looked at from the standpoint of the rest of theworld, Africa’s mobile broadband subscriptions of 17.4 per

cent - as reported by the International Telecommunications Union(ITU) in its most recent ‘ICT Facts & Figures’ report - gives it a lowranking on the global broadband index.

Indeed, the continent is the only region where mobile broadbandaccess is less than 20 per cent. A report by the Pew Research Centerreleased earlier this year revealed that even South Africa - which at 34per cent has the highest smartphone (those that can access the Internetand applications) usage in Africa - has less than half the smartphonepenetration of the west.

In Europe and the Americas, the report estimates a mobile-broadbandpenetration level of 78 active subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.Another report - published for the 2015 World Economic Forum inCape Town, South Africa - makes equally sombre reading. The GlobalInformation Technology Report featured a Networked Readiness Index(NRI) of 143 countries on the basis of their ICT environment,readiness, usage and impact.

Only six of Africa’s countries Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa,Rwanda, Kenya and Cape Verde, made the top 100, with some likeSouth Africa even dropping in the rankings this year to 75th.

Rising from recent lowsHowever, looked at from another perspective, the outlook - givenAfrica’s extremely low starting point - is very promising. A recentforecast shows mobile broadband growth in Africa doubling each yearto 2020. The forecast, from Market Research International, says thatthe African region is witnessing “one of the strongest increases inmobile data use in the world”.

Mobile broadband already accounts for up to 90 per cent of allbroadband connections in several African markets with internationalfibre optic cables and national backbone networks supportingbroadband growth. And mobile Internet traffic across Africa can beexpected to double between 2014 and the end of 2015 and by the endof the decade will see a 20-fold increase. Services based on 3Gnetworks will be dominant within three years, replacing older and morelimited 2G technology. According to the report, “By 2020, about three-quarters of all mobile connections will be on 3G or 4G, and thereafterthe focus for operators will be on making use of released spectrum toexpand the reach of LTE networks beyond the major cities.”

It says that the growth in traffic is being spurned on “by thematuring social media sector, data-rich applications and mobilevideo”. There is also a new wave of locally built cheap smartphones,which is making such devices more readily available to a largerproportion of the population. Another key facilitator identified by thereport is mobile banking and m-commerce. Sub-Saharan Africa -particularly Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda and Tanzania - israpidly developing an m-commerce sector that involves a growingnumber of participating banks in mobile-based transactions,remittances and payments. Increasingly, these facilities also includecross border money transactions. In Kenya alone a Market Research

International report indicates that M-Pesa mobile banking “carriesabout 20 per cent of the country’s entire GDP”.

The future of connectivity for many markets in the region -particularly in rural and semi-urban areas - increasingly lies in mobilebroadband. This is because in Africa broadband, based on digitalsubscriber line (DSL) technology on fixed-line networks is generallyunderdeveloped.

Mobile broadband costs, which traditionally far exceed the limitedfixed-line alternatives, are being driven down by the combination ofnetwork upgrades and the pressure of market competition. To copewith all this growth in Internet traffic, improvements are being madein national backbone networks, as well as international connectivity.At the same time as more bandwidth is being provided, the cost ofservices is plummeting.

Communications frameworksAfrica’s governments and regulators are laying the groundwork for theexpected unprecedented growth spurt in mobile broadband services.Sub-Saharan Africa already performs better in terms of liberalisationthan emerging and developing Asia or regions within the Middle Eastand North Africa. Indeed, many sub-Saharan African countries -including Kenya and Tanzania - have fully liberalised their ICTmarkets.

Now, the various regulators on the continent are working toaddress the remaining shortfall in available spectrum by enablingspectrum re-farming and releasing digital dividend spectrum formobile broadband.

In May 2015, the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority(TCRA) announced proposals requiring telecom companies to shareinfrastructure and bid for bandwidth.

TCRA Director General Prof John Nkoma said the adoption of thenew system is inevitable due to the increase in demand, especiallythe use of the Internet. The new system will come into effect during2016 after thorough consultations with all major players.

So, with the legislative and infrastructural framework being put inplace, there is plenty of scope for optimism about the prospect forAfrica’s future broadband connectivity. An example of the sort ofbenefits that this new wave of mobile broadband will bring is in Kenyawhere since May its citizens have been able to pay their taxes throughtheir mobile phone via Airtel.

Airtel Money customers in Kenya need no longer have to walk intoKenyan Revenue Authority (KRA) banking halls and queue to pay theirtaxes. Instead using a KRA payment reference number, which caneither be acquired on their website or on their mobile phone, they canpay their taxes using their mobile phones.

Customers can also make driving licence applications and renewalpayments; vehicle transfer logbook payments and motor vehicleinspection payments.

In May, Ericsson and Kenya's largest mobile operator Safaricomannounced a multi-year partnership agreement to support furtherupgrades and expansions to its network. Robert Rudin, countrymanager of Ericsson Kenya confirmed recently that the agreement willsee Ericsson deploy Wi-Fi technology on the Safaricom network. It will



Communications Africa Issue 4 2015 17

INTERNETMobile Broadband


also expand and enhance the Mini-Link microwave transmissionnetwork. He said, "Deployment of the Wi-Fi solution will enableSafaricom to optimise its use of spectrum resources while enhancing3G services and boosting broadband app coverage for customers inselected densely populated areas."

In early June, Safaricom and Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture,Livestock and Fisheries also embarked on the pilot of a joint initiativethat aims at empowering farmers with access to a technology-basedsolution for the distribution of fertiliser and other key inputs. Thesolution, named ‘E-fertiliser Subsidy Management System’, is anelectronic vouchering solution that allows farmers to access vouchersvia their mobile phones. Sicily Kariuki, Principal Secretary, Kenya'sState Department of Agriculture, said, “Traditionally, the process ofgetting subsidies to farmers has been time intensive and inefficientas there was no single way to reach them all effectively. Our solution,should the pilot be successful, will allow us to increase transparencyin the allocation of fertiliser to over 3.5mn small-holder farmersacross the country using mobile phones.”

A dry system run will be done in Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia andBungoma counties in preparation for next season subsidy fertiliserdistribution.

Meanwhile, and also in June, Ericsson signed a three-yearmemorandum of understanding (MoU) with the CommunicationsRegulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) to support theaccelerated development of ICT policies in the Southern AfricanDevelopment Community (SADC) region. The two parties will organiseand facilitate capacity building workshops geared towards thedevelopment of national broadband plans (NBPs) focussing onspecific concerns related to ICT in the 15 member countries of the

SADC who are planning, developing or revising and amending theirbroadband policies.

Evidence of improvementAs delegates at the World Economic Forum in Cape Town heard,evidence from the last two decades demonstrates that ICTs, particularlybroadband Internet, are income multipliers. And there is a clear linkbetween mobile telephony and broadband use to gross domesticproduct (GDP) growth. However, the picture is more mixed when lookingat ICTs’ impact on income inequality. At the global level, the latestavailable data from the World Bank shows income inequality (thedistribution of income across all people in the world) declining. But‘within country’ income inequality appears to be rising in many countries- in both the developed and developing world.

The reason for this paradox is that while ICT adoption improves thestandard of living for those who adopt, those who do not adopt anduse ICT do not improve their standard of living as fast or as much.

The challenge for Africa’s leaders, says the Global InformationTechnology Report, is to iron out the various disparities and ensurethat public resources are focussed on: building broadband Internetaccess out to rural and underserved communities; connectingschools and libraries to broadband Internet service; removingexcessive taxation on devices and access; developing robust ICTtraining curricula and programmes - and last but not least, closing thegender gap in ICTs.

Only when these inequities are successfully dealt with can Africabe truly have said to have entered the ‘mobile broadband age’ �

Nnamdi Anyadike

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTNETWORKS provider Infinera hasexpanded its Cloud Xpress familyof metro Cloud platforms with anew platform enabling 100gigabit Ethernet (GbE) clientservices in the same compactform factor along with enhancedfunctionality. The Cloud Xpressfamily is designed specifically toaddress the needs of Cloudservice providers, Internetcontent providers, InternetExchange service providers, largeenterprises and other large-scaledatacentre operators.

The Cloud Xpress familyutilises the oPIC-500 opticalengine, Infinera’s unique metro-optimized photonic integratedcircuit, to deliver DWDMdatacentre interconnect services

up to 500 gigabits per second(Gb/s) in a compact two rack unitchassis. The new Cloud Xpresswith 100 GbE extends the hyper-scale density, simplifiedoperations and low power of theexisting Cloud Xpress family thatoperators can use to easilydeploy and scale their networks.With the addition of the newplatform, the Cloud Xpress familynow supports 10 GbE, 40 GbE and100 GbE client-side interfaces tomatch customer specificrequirements. Along with theintroduction of the new CloudXpress with 100 GbE, Infinera hasintroduced importantenhancements to the CloudXpress family, including MACsecencryption for improved security,NETCONF & YANG support for

software defined networking(SDN) and ease of use, and LLDPdiscovery protocols enablingdatacentre automation.

“100 GbE is finally becomingavailable on datacentre switchesand achieving cost-effectivepricing on routers – creating anemerging demand for 100 GbEclient-side interfaces on opticalequipment designed for metrodatacentre interconnect,” saidAndrew Schmitt, researchdirector, carrier transportnetworking at IHS.

“Infinera is shipping 10 GbEand 40 GbE; adding 100 GbE is awell-timed extension to theCloud Xpress family, and helps itretain a leadership position inthis emerging product category.”

“The Cloud Xpress platformsare purpose-built for thedatacentre interconnect market,”said Stu Elby, senior vicepresident, Cloud networkstrategy and technology,Infinera. “Based on Infinera'sunique PIC and super-channeltechnology, the Cloud Xpressprovides scale and simplicitywhile utilising little power.”

SATELLITE SERVICESPROVIDER Intelsat has enteredinto a commercial agreementwith OneWeb, the ventureplanning to build, deploy andoperate a low earth orbit (LEO)Ku-band satellite constellation.Under the agreement, Intelsatwill partner with OneWeb to useOneWeb’s LEO platform, onceestablished, to complementIntelsat’s geostationary orbit(GEO) satellite services,resulting in the first and onlyfully global, pole-to-pole highthroughput satellite system.

The companies will alsocollaborate to develop hybridLEO/GEO end-user accessterminals.

“Through this partnershipwith OneWeb, we will furtherdifferentiate our own GEOinfrastructure, including ournext generation IntelsatEpicNG high-performancesatellites that will begin tolaunch in the first quarter of2016,” said Intelsat CEOStephen Spengler.

Infinera Cloud Xpress is a metro cloud platform that allows operators tosupport up to 500Gb/s of line-side capacity in just 3.5” or two rack units (RU)with a mix of 10 GbE, 40GbE and 100 GbE client side interfaces

Intelsat and OneWebset for new sat network

Infinera’s Cloud Xpress offers superior datacentre interconnect


How to transform business through engagement in the Internet of Things canfacilitate connected business transformation

Connected commercethrough the IoT ecosystem

INTERNET Commerce

TECHNOLOGY IS BECOMING increasingly sophisticated, and theworld is more connected than everbefore. The way we shop, work, play

and interact has become intrinsically linkedwith this connected technology. With theadvent of the new digital age, we are alsowitnessing a new era of consumerism, whichhas fundamentally changed the wayorganisations need to do business.Enterprises must try to keep pace with rapidlychanging trends, understand their customersbetter, develop sales cycles with a morepersonal touch, and find new, innovativeways of engaging with customers in order toremain competitive. The Internet of Things(IoT) brings interconnected intelligence totechnology, with the vision of providingseamless integration between the physicaland digital worlds. In an age where businesssuccess hinges on an enterprise’s ability toinnovate, IoT has the potential to offersignificant competitive advantage.Furthermore, it also assists greatly to improveservices in a number of areas, deliveringconnected business transformation for adigital world.

Business interactions with IoTWith the digital revolution and the shift in theway people communicate and interact,consumers expect a great deal frombusiness. They are no longer satisfied withgeneric solutions – they demand greaterlevels of customisation, direct andpersonalised feedback, and excellent userexperiences. Organisations need to be ableto cater to this demand in order to remaincompetitive, and central to this ability is theIoT.

While the IoT is not a new phenomenon,referring to the increased connectedness ofmany devices and technology, it is gainingtraction with the recent advances in mobiletechnology and connectivity. The heart of theIoT is the ability to bring interconnectedintelligence to physical items such asmachinery, appliances and more. Central tothis concept are four key components: theincreasing availability of low cost sensors,the ever-decreasing cost of computing, theavailability of ubiquitous and low cost data

networks, and the fast and advanced dataanalytics techniques. The combination ofthese factors has resulted in the IoT finallybecoming a reality, and one that can help toadd value for organisations across all areasand sectors of business.

The new data dynamicGartner has forecast that 4.9bn ‘connected‘things’ will be in use by the end of 2015,representing a 30 per cent increase on 2014,and this number is expected to reach 25bn by2020. This sudden expansion will boost theeconomic impact of the IoT as consumers,businesses, city authorities, hospitals andmany other entities find new ways in which toexploit the technology. Consumerapplications will drive the increase in numberof connected things, however it is theenterprise that will account for most of therevenue, making leveraging the value of theIoT essential for business success.

Data is key to the value of the IoT. As moreand more connected items emerge,increasing amounts of data are available.New ways of obtaining data, more easily thanin the past, will enable data to be availablewhen you need it, in the way you need it. Datagenerated by sensors, combined with otheravailable data, will enable organisations,and even the devices or things themselves,to make intelligent decisions and learn frompast data extrapolation. Devices will be ableto adapt based on the data, improving bothefficiency and the user experience withminimal or even zero no human intervention.This begins to usher in an age where devicesand machines can become self-sufficient and

autonomous. This in turn will enableorganisations to leverage better operationalefficiencies and improved productivitycoupled with far more enriched userexperiences. Furthermore, as with any newand disruptive technology, the IoT will alsocreate new opportunities and businessmodels that did not exist in the past.

The applications of the IoT are practicallylimitless. Smart networks can deliverpredictive analytics, intelligent decisionsupport, remote monitoring and more fororganisations across all industries.Specialised offerings can then be developedspecific to the needs and requirements ofthat sector. Healthcare is one sector that canbenefit enormously, for example, remotepatient monitoring, in-hospital devicemanagement, intelligent medical devices,wearable devices that can provide remotediagnostics with cloud-based clinicaldecision support, and more. This has thepotential to dramatically improve healthcarefor millions around the world.

The advantages of the IoT will becomeincreasingly clear as this technologybecomes further embedded in our everydaylives. In order to leverage these, however,organisations will need to ensure that theirengineering teams work closely, since thereare many variations of hybrid IT and IoTintegration, and the IoT will enable manymore layers in terms of digital securityarchitecture and dozens of platform options.

A core IoT platform is central to the entireprocess, as it sits between the sensors thatprovide data and the analytics that facilitateenhanced decision-making, and enables theprocessing of data that is being shared by theconnected devices. Such a platform should,for maximum benefit, be able to easilyintegrate with existing legacy systems andenable seamless integration. In addition, anexperienced IT partner with a strongbackground in integration, analytics and understanding of product engineering can beinstrumental in unlocking the value of the IoTfor business. �

Shailendra Singh, business director, AfricaRegion, and Siby Abraham, chief technologistand vice president, CTO office, at Wipro Ltd

The IoT is a disruptivetechnology that is set toshape the future, possiblyin ways that nobody couldpredict; staying on top ofdisruption has fast becomethe key to business success



Des normes de l’UIT comme un nouveau groupe d’experts spécialisés dansl’Internet des objets et ses applications

Les objets dansles villes intelligentes

INTERNETIndustrie

LES MEMBRES DE l’UIT ont créé unenouvelle Commission d’études del’UIT–T qui sera chargée d’examinerles besoins de normalisation des

technologies de l’Internet des objets (IoT)tout en privilégiant, dans un premier temps,les applications de l’IoT dans les villesintelligentes.Cette nouvelle Commission est la

“Commission d’études 20 de l’UIT–T :l’Internet des objets et ses applications, ycompris les villes et les communautésintelligentes”. Elle sera chargée des normesinternationales qui garantiront undéveloppement coordonné des technologiesde l’IoT, y compris les communications demachine à machine et les réseaux decapteurs ubiquitaires. Elle élaborera desnormes qui permettront d’utiliser le potentieldes technologies de l’IoT pour trouver unesolution aux problèmes liés à l'urbanisation.La normalisation des architectures de bouten bout pour l’IoT et les mécanismes pourassurer l’interopérabilité des applications etensembles de données IoT utilisées pardivers secteurs verticaux de l’industrieconstitueront une partie essentielle de sontravail.

La convergence des secteurs de l’industrieLe déploiement des technologies de l’IoTdevrait permettre de connecter, selon lesestimations, 50 milliards de dispositifs auréseau à l’horizon 2020, ce qui aura desincidences sur pratiquement tous les aspectsde notre vie quotidienne. L’Internet desobjets contribue à la convergence dessecteurs de l’industrie, en particulier lessecteurs des services collectifs, des soins desanté ou des transports faisant partie desnombreux secteurs qui ont un intérêt dansl’avenir des technologies de l’IoT. La nouvelleCommission d’études de l’UIT–T est lanouvelle plate-forme spécialisée dans lanormalisation de l’IoT nécessaire pour quecette convergence s’appuie sur un ensemblecohérent de normes internationales.Les technologies de l’IoT donnent aux

pays développés comme aux pays endéveloppement la possibilité de transformerles infrastructures urbaines en tirant partides gains d’efficacité inhérents auxbâtiments et systèmes de transport

intelligents ainsi qu’aux réseauxd’alimentation électrique et de distributiond’eau intelligents. L’UIT est bien placée pouraider les pouvoirs publics et le secteur privéà mettre à profit cette opportunité.“Construire des villes intelligentes et

durables nécessitera une collaborationefficace entre le secteur public et le secteurprivé,” a déclaré le Secrétaire général de l’UITM Houlin Zhao. Et d’ajouter : “ Cette nouvelleCommission d’études de l’UIT–T rassembleraen son sein des acteurs venant d’horizonsdivers qui mettront les compétencestechniques de l’UIT au service d’autressecteurs de l’industrie et des administrationsnationales et métropolitaines responsablesdes questions d’urbanisation.”“Les cinq années à venir seront

déterminantes pour exploiter tout lepotentiel des technologies de l’IoT,” adéclaré M. Chaesub Lee, Directeur du Bureaude la normalisation des télécommunicationsde l’UIT. “L’UIT–T s’emploie activement àélaborer des normes pour l’IoT et nouscherchons à aider les villes dans le mondeentier à créer les conditions nécessaires pourdémontrer l’utilité des technologies de l’IoTdans la solution des problèmesd’urbanisation.”

Autour de l’efficacité et de la viabilitéEn mai 2015, Dubaï a été la première ville aumonde à évaluer l’efficacité et la viabilité deses activités et de son fonctionnement enutilisant les indicateurs fondamentaux deperformance élaborés par le Groupespécialisé de l’UIT–T sur les villesintelligentes et durables (FG-SSC). Le projetpilote, d’une durée de deux ans, permettra

d’évaluer l’utilisation pratique de cesindicateurs en vue de leur normalisationinternationale.“Les réseaux des technologies IoT nous

permettront de mieux comprendre commentfonctionnent les villes car ils apporteront desgains d’efficacité considérables,” a déclaréM. Nasser Almarzouqi de l’Autorité derégulation des télécommunications desÉmirats arabes unis, le Président de lanouvelle Commission d’études de l’UIT–T.“Cette Commission d’études, composée desnombreux acteurs du secteur destechnologies de l’information et de lacommunication, jouera un rôle déterminantpour promouvoir le développement de «systèmes de systèmes » efficaces quicontribueront à réduire la fracture numériqueet à créer un monde plus connecté .”Singapour a proposé d’accueillir la

réunion inaugurale de cette Commissiond’études.L’UIT a exposé son projet concernant l’IoT

dans un rapport qui fera date, le “Rapport surl’Internet des objets publié en 2005 dans lecadre d’une série de rapports de l’UIT surl’Internet. La création de cette nouvelleCommission d’études résulte, d’une part, del’expérience acquise par l’UIT–T en ce quiconcerne l’élaboration de normes sur l’IoT et,d’autre part, des conclusions du Groupespécialisé FG-SSC, qui vient d’achever sestravaux avec la publication de 21 rapportstechniques et spécificationsLa décision de créer une nouvelle

Commission d’études de l’UIT–T a été prise àla réunion du Groupe consultatif de lanormalisation des télécommunications(GCNT) qui s’est tenue au siège de l’UIT, àGenève du 2 au 5 juin. Le GCNT est habilité àmodifier la structure et le programme detravail de l’UIT–T dans l’intervalle de quatreans qui sépare deux Assemblées mondialesde normalisation des télécommunications,ce qui donne à l’UIT–T la souplessenécessaire pour réagir à l’évolution despriorités de ses membres.Les Commissions d’études de l’UIT–T

élaborent des normes internationales(Recommandations de l’UIT–T) qui sont à labase de l’interconnexion et del’interopérabilité des réseaux et dispositifsTIC. �

“Construire des villesintelligentes et durables

nécessitera unecollaboration efficace entre

le secteur public et lesecteur privé.” -

le Secrétaire général del’UIT M Houlin Zhao

Communications Africa Issue 4 2015 19www.communicationsafrica.com


Being able to communicate across the widest expanses ofAfrica is crucial to enabling social and economic growth

As satcoms evolves,so the continent grows

SATELLITE Economy

WITHOUT THE MEANS for domesticand business populations tointeract between urban, semi-urban and extreme remote

locations, will mean that progress will remainslow and the majority of markets and regionson this huge continent will continue to bereferred to as ‘developing’. Satellitecommunications are improving the picture.

Profitable deliverySatcoms infrastructure and technology haveevolved in recent years and now offer mobileoperators in Africa more viable ways ofdelivering profitable services to user segmentsand communities, which would previously havebeen neglected.One company, using a vendor and operator-

neutral business model to further satcomsunderpinning of communications advancesacross Africa is iDirect. The company partnerswith operators at all levels, whethermultinational mobile firms or single-countryoperators, as well as local integrators workingacross Africa. Communications Africa/Afriquespoke to the company, whose director ofmarket development, Richard Deasington,concurred that satcoms infrastructure had,indeed, made ‘steady progress in the pastyears’. He cited achievements such as iDirect’sDVB-S2 - designed to improve bandwidthefficiency and service quality - and thecompany’s efforts to reduce roll-off down to fiveper cent [to avoid adjacent channelinterference, signals transmitted to a satelliteare run through a filter and roll-off determines‘how gradually or abruptly the transmittedsignal drops off after being filtered. The higherthe roll-off factor the more gradual the drop off,and by improving the roll-off factor from 20 percent to five per cent, service providers are ableto either transmit more Mbps over the sameamount of leased bandwidth, or lease less MHzfrom a satellite operator while still offering thesame Mbps to their customers’]. As anotherrecent advance, Deasington also mentionediDirect’s 2D 16-State inbound coding, whichprovides greater efficiency due to its average1dB gain and payload size choices. He thenwent on to say that, “The introduction of highthroughput satellites (HTS), which offer thepromise of higher throughputs and lowers

costs, will likely lead to the biggest economicchange. However, key changes have alsohappened in the cellular mobile industry withthe introduction of lower cost, less power-hungry small cells. When combined with HTScarrier-class satellite backhaul, these changeshelp bring down the point of entry forcommunities sized from 50–300 people.”This last point has always been a bugbear

from African operators, whether to spend vast

amounts of money to deliver unprofitableservices to just a few hundred people with verylow ARPUs, or to wait until technology will makesuch efforts more viable. Well, the technologyhas arrived so such obstacles are beingremoved.

Technical challengesAs for Deasington’s views on the technicalchallenges, which remain for satcomsinfrastructure providers if they are to supportAfrican mobile operators better, he toldCommunications Africa/Afrique, “The keychallenge is power efficiency. You want to be ina position where the satellite terminal and thecell base station are both efficient enough to bepowered from small solar/wind plus batterysolutions. This goes hand-in-hand with solarcharging stations for local devices, such asmobile phones.”We’ve seen some interesting work from

companies like Ericsson to combine the solarrequirements of a base station with that of avillage shop, or even a solar-powered waterpump.”

iDirect’s SatHaul optimisation software enables more efficient connections and better user experience (Photo: iDirect)

“The introduction of highthroughput satellites, whichoffer the promise of higherthroughputs and lowerscosts, will likely lead to thebiggest economic change” -Richard Deasington,director of marketdevelopment, iDirect




SATELLITEEconomy


From challenges to solutions, he added thatwith ‘most people in this context will not havelaptop or desktop computers and as the data-centric world makes its way to the most remoteparts of the continent, the low-cost smart phonewill be the key enabler for the digital revolution’.With this in mind, iDirect’s Deasington had thisadvice for new mobile entrants in Africa, “Thismeans that the best option for most newnetworks will be a leap straight to 4G LTE,leapfrogging 3G. It provides higher speeds,better efficiency and wider coverage for thesame power budget. Until recently, the cost ofhandsets has been a handicap, but thisconcern is being reduced due to the fact thatnewer phones are now built with multi-standardchips.”As to how increasing demand for high-

bandwidth services in rural regions hasimpacted satcoms providers, he said that ‘thearrival of higher bandwidth demands, driven bythe move to 4G and the data revolution, hascoincided with the deployment of newgeneration HTS satellites that can deliver anorder of magnitude more bandwidth foressentially the same costs as older broad-beamsatellites’. The point here, he said, is, “Thismeans that the costs to service each user willstay close to the same, despite the capacityneeded per person being projected to riserapidly.”When it comes to the geo-political and

business challenges that face companies tryingto conduct business in regions of Africa in needof satellite-based telecoms services, RichardDeasington said that, “Many of the mosteconomical HTS services are provided bysatellites that land their traffic in a differentcountry, or even continent, from the originatingcountry and then return it via fibre. At times,regulators have demonstrated a reluctance topermit this topology for ‘security reasons’. Thistype of set-up is common in Europe and, in anycase, end-to-end encryption can be applied tothe traffic.”He added that it is, however, now time for

regulators to take a new look at this situation.

Playing its part in AfricaAs for iDirect’s involvement in deliveringsatcoms-based communications in Africa,Deasington said this is one of his company’sfastest growing markets, with ‘many

established networks deployed - some of whichhave been quietly operating for many yearsproviding GSM communications in countriessuch as Cameroon and Senegal’. The companyis also currently working with newer networksbeing deployed in South Africa, Benin and DRC.“We are involved in just about every country

in Africa, delivering services to enterprises andcarriers through a range of different operatorsand service providers. These services rangefrom Internet cafes to bank branches and ATMmachines, and remote oil and gas installations.The company also provides connectivity toremote and rural cellular sites, which rangefrom high-bandwidth 3G systems, installed inSouth Africa, to voice-only GSM systems inGhana.“We have a fairly large number of 3G base

stations from Huawei installed across SouthAfrica; originally, customers in this region triedto deploy base stations using a consumerInternet satellite system, only to find that thisdidn’t work. Once we persuaded them to try oursystem they found that a carrier-class 3Gsystem works fine - and that it wasn’t a problemintrinsic to satellite that had stopped theiroriginal trial.”As for some of the technological

differentiators that come into play, Deasingtonsaid, “The iDirect system provides carrier-classservices and allows operators to meet theirservice level agreements (SLAs) for varioustechnical parameters. This can make thedifference between a service working well, ornot at all. Our systems are built to work in atelco environment; for example, the X1 Outdoorremote is commonly used for cell backhaul. Thefact that it is outdoor-mounted (IP67 rated, -40to +60 degrees operation) and also availablewith -48v DC and +24v DC (as well as AC) powersupplies makes it an ideal choice for theseenvironments.“This makes it easy to integrate with modern

cellular equipment, and with either telco orsolar power supplies.”Last year, the company absorbed some of

the pioneering technology from former remotecommunity communications specialist,Altobridge, into its portfolio. Until now, little ofhow this ‘acquisition’ has gone has beenrevealed. With several deployments and usersin Africa, understanding the future for thosestakeholders is important and Deasingtondecided to reveal to CA what exactly is beingdone with the technology and IP acquired.“Altobridge had the most efficient 2G and 3G

base stations on the market, as well as othersuitable technology for optimising all kinds ofbackhaul - not just cellular. However, iDirectdidn’t acquire the hardware aspects of theirbusiness, preferring to maintain a vendor-neutral position in the market. We’re now readyto release the first fruits of this integration workcalled iDirect SatHaul. Initial focus will be onmaking the 4G experience more economic, aswell as providing a better user experience oversatellite. Due to the fact that 4G typically useslarger links, this is where the biggest savingsare to be made in the short term. This will befollowed with software to optimise 3G smallcells. The 2G and 3G optimisation that waspreviously sold bundled with the Altobridgeproprietary base stations has now beenlicensed to other firms. This will enableprevious users of Altobridge equipment tomove forward and grow their networks or tobuild new networks where ultra-high bandwidthefficiency and low power consumption are key.”

The futureAs to what’s next for Africa in terms of satcomsdelivering personal communications to remoteregions, Deasington said, “the combination ofsmall cells and satellite means that a singlesatellite link can be shared by hundreds ofusers, each with their own access device. Whenyou couple this with HTS capacity and the newiDirect SatHaul optimisation software beingreleased, the economics and the userexperience are greatly enhanced.” �

Tim Guest

“The combination of small cells and satellite means that asingle satellite link can be shared by hundreds of users,each with their own access device“ - Richard Deasington,

director of market development, iDirect

WIDE AREA COMMUNICATIONS specialist Hermes Datacommunications has partnered with O3b Networks, a global satellite operator offering next generationsatellite networks, to deliver communications to a global oil company, with major operations in the world’s most important oil and gas regions. Under the contract,Hermes will deliver critical communications for the company’s operations in West Africa and a connection back to their regional headquarters in Europe.The use of O3b satellites, which are closer to the earth than conventional geostationary satellites, reduces latency, increases data rates and improves voice and

video quality for the end user. The high throughput O3b satellites also offer greater capacity, with the ability to support up to 1.6 Gigabits in a single beam. “Access to the O3b network gives us the ability to open up new services where it would be difficult to obtain access to fibre,” said Barry Bouwmeester, business

development manager for Africa at Hermes Datacomms.

Hermes Datacomms and O3b serve the oil & gas Sector in West Africa


Inmarsat’s sophisticated satellite technologies enable a plural ecosystem, servingmultiple sectors in new ways with mobile satellite communications

Innovating industry withthe “Internet of Everywhere”

SATELLITE Industry

MOBILE SATELLITECOMMUNICATIONS servicesprovider Inmarsat presentlyoffers a range of technologies

and services specifically to enable the‘Internet of Everywhere’, the new Internet agein which things can be found in any regionand in any vertical.“The way we use technology to work, live,

play and learn is evolving. No matter where weare, or where our devices are located, werequire and demand high-speed internetaccess,” said Michele Franci, CTO of Inmarsat.“With two of our three Global Xpress

satellites successfully launched, we are close

to the completion of our fifth generationconstellation. It will push the boundaries ofsatellite communications and deliverseamless, high-speed broadbandcommunications anywhere in the globe –creating opportunities for everything to beconnected anywhere, anytime.”

Satellite solutions and end-usersInmarsat has been busy enhancing its portfolioof satellite solutions for end-users ingovernment, maritime, aviation andenterprise sectors.As part of the development of the next

generation of global mobile satellitetechnology and applications, Inmarsat hasbeen opening up its platform to third partydevelopers; encouraging new ideas that willchange the way satellite communications areimplemented on land, at sea and in the air.

Spanning the world with GXInmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) will be the firsthigh-speed broadband network to span theworld, delivering seamless, globallyavailable connectivity on land, at sea and in

the air, and will bring to life the prospect ofthe ‘Internet of Everywhere’.Pushing the boundaries of satellite

communications, GX will deliver a high-speedbroadband service that will offer seamlessglobal coverage from a single operator, withspeeds up to 100 times faster than thecompany’s fourth generation (I-4) constellation.The launch of the third Global Xpress

satellite was preceded by Type Approval ofCobham Satcom’s Explorer 7100GX GlobalXpress terminal. However, there is also a widerange of products and services to takeInmarsat’s customers forward, including:Machine-to-machine (M2M) services, which

provide affordable two-way data connectivityfor messaging, tracking and monitoring of fixedor mobile assets anywhere in the world.BGAN HDR, which provides broadcasters

and media organisations with high definitionvideo quality and a streaming rate of around650kbps with its full channel options, makingit the fastest streaming rate service in the worldof mobile satellite communications. It alsooffers access to BGAN features such asStandard IP, voice and text messaging.IsatHub, which has been designed

specifically for use in remote locations, theIsatHub service will connect smart deviceswhen beyond the reach of terrestrial mobileand fixed networks. Users will be able to talk,text, access the internet and their apps usingtheir own smart device, wherever they go.L-TAC, which delivers robust, low-cost

beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) mobilecommunications to a broad range of newgovernment users. L-TAC offers a ‘UHF-like’tactical satellite capability for use with existingmilitary radios by approved governmentcustomers.Low Profile BGAN, consists of a rapidly

deployable lay-flat antenna and a robust,remotely operable BGAN terminal which willwork even when buried under sand. Low ProfileBGAN is the only solution which allowsunmanned, concealed surveillance in real-time.Fleet One, which provides affordable

satellite voice and data specially packaged forsmall leisure and fishing boats.Fleet Media, an on-demand video solution,

which brings the latest movies, TV, sport andnews to ships at sea.�

Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellites arebeing launched on Proton rockets

(Photo: International Launch Services)

Inmarsat has been openingup its platform to thirdparty developers;encouraging new ideas thatwill change the way satellitecommunications areimplemented



Lim Kian Soon, Head of Satellite at Singapore Telecommunications Limited,explains the company’s commitment to African connectivity

Singtel’s vital rolein satellite services

PROFILESingapore Telecommunications

SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS(SINGTEL) is amongst Asia’s primesatellite operators, with over 35years experience in connecting

communities and commercial entities. It is anaward-winning provider of fixed and mobilesatellite services with a fleet of two satellitesand access to another 30 satellites aroundthe world. Its three satellite earth stationsprovide direct transmission (from Singapore)to over 80 countries.

Singtel’s Head of Satellite, Mr Lim Kian Soon,spoke to Communications Africa/Afriquerecently of the company’s ongoing commitmentto African service provision and content deliverythrough sophisticated satellite architectures.He discussed single channel per carrier (SCPC)coverage using very small aperture terminal(VSAT) services over ST-3 transpondertechnology. He spoke of the support providedthrough an extensive deployment of points ofpresence (PoPs) to serve the continent as itconnects between nations and across theglobe. Mr Lim spoke also of the economicpotential represented by the high prospectivecompound annual growth rate (CAGR) of theAfrican communications marketplace, taken asa whole. Lastly, Mr Lim addressed theopportunities for telecommunicationscompanies, with respect to new revenuegeneration through enhanced service channels.

Communications Africa/Afrique: Whichtechnologies and services does Singtel offerAfrican operators and industries?Lim Kian Soon: We have expanded into theAfrican market last year with our ST-3 WestHemi C-Band transponders and while there isstill strong demand in the region, thecompetition is equally intense.

To extend our services beyond justtransponder leases, we have also establishedteleport facility to provide iDirect Hub and SCPCVSAT services for ST-3 coverage in Africa.

Our comprehensive satellite footprint coversAsia, the Middle East and Africa with threeteleports pointing to more than 30 satellites;are supported by our own extensive terrestrialnetwork of more than 200 PoPs in over 160global cities.

This unique position of being a leading telcoas well as Satellite operator and serviceprovider in Asia-Pac region enables Singtel to

offer end-to-end connectivity to our customersthus saving them the hassle of working withmultiple parties.

CA: What is the level of demand for VSATservices in African markets?LKS: The level of demand for VSAT services inAfrican markets has high potential despiteeconomic uncertainties. According to a surveycarried out by Euroconsult (Satcomms &Broadcasting Markets Survey to 2023), the

growth in Sub-Saharan African is 11 per centCAGR. Nigeria, Congo and Kenya are some ofthe larger satcom markets for Banking, Mining,O&G, Retail and Government .

One of our customers is one of Asia’s fastestgrowing carriers, for which we deployed ourstrong C band satellite covering Europe toAfrica for a VSAT project. We carefullyrecommended highly reliable and mostadvanced SCPC modem in the market usingCarrier-in-Carrier technology to maximisebandwidth with total availability of 99.98 percent.

CA: What are the key market drivers forsatellite services over the next 12-18months?LKS: Africa has enormous and dispersed landarea, most if not all has under- developedtelecom markets in terms of connectivity due tolimited transport, telecoms infrastructure, andsocio-economic conditions.

Satellite still plays a vital role in deliveringthe critical communications to many parts ofAfrica that are unconnected and underserved.

Key drivers for satellite services will becellular backhaul and Internet trunking in Africaand the Middle East as cellular deploymentincreases in the region. Telcos in Africa and theMiddle East are looking at satellite to helpthem to provide services to their customers inrural areas as investments continues to pourinto the regions. �Lim Kian Soon, Head of Satellite at Singtel


Singtel’s teleports serve Asia, the Middle East and Africa through more than 30 satellites



Satellite operators are increasing their commitment to a stronger role for satellite infuture communications ecosystems

A greater voicefor satcom ventures

SATELLITE Technology

CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF the world’s leadingsatellite operators met in Washington, inthe USA, at the Satellite 2015 Conferenceto announce that ESOA, the world’s only

CEO-driven satellite organisation, is expanding toinclude satellite operators from the ITU’s region 1,namely Europe, the Middle East, Africa and theCommonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Themove highlights the importance the sector’sexecutives attach to leading a coordinated andimpactful response to the global challenges andopportunities it faces.

Adapting to new trendsESOA Board members are conscious of two importanttrends in telecommunications: increased demand forrich media video content and increased take-up ofmobile data services. Both trends are headingtowards unmanageable congestion for networks that

will result in massive user delays, poor qualitycontent and a more critical digital divide than existstoday. These developments are also happeningagainst a backdrop of increased vulnerability ofterrestrial fixed infrastructure.

Playing a vital role in tomorrow’s digitalinfrastructureSatellite operators transmit thousands of HDTVchannels, are pioneering Ultra High Definitionbroadcasting and facilitating backhaul and mobilityservices across hundreds of countries. Though ofteninvisible, satellite technology is an essential enabler,with unique qualities of reach, resilience andcapacity that must play its role in future digitalinfrastructure. Only then will users truly benefit fromthe choice and quality they demand, andpolicymakers truly achieve an inclusive society thatcan rely on always-on technology that is immediatelyavailable. The emerging debate on 5G presents animportant opportunity for policymakers to get it right:control costs, add reach and create truly convergedecosystems.

Leading the charge to protect spectrumThe geographic expansion of ESOA is also inresponse to the overwhelming push on satelliteoperators to combine their efforts and lead thecharge to protect highly sought-after spectrum andretain their place as high value contributors to digitalmarkets.

Michel de Rosen, ESOA Chairman, and CEO ofEutelsat, said: “The issues our industry faces matterfor the hundreds of millions of people who benefitfrom our services. We will better secure the future ofour sector in the connected world by coming togetherin a broader forum to define a shared vision and worktogether to make it a reality. Preserving access to ourspectrum at WRC15 is currently our number onepriority and a goal shared by all satellite operators.We will have a louder voice by joining forces to ensureour users don’t lose out and our massive investmentsare not in vain.”

The EMEA Satellite Operators Association nowcounts among its members: Airbus CIS, AmosSpacecom, Arabsat, Avanti, Azercosmos, Es’hailSat,Eutelsat, HellasSat, Hispasat, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Nigcomsat, Nilesat, O3B, SES, Telenor, Telespazio,Thuraya, Turksat, and Yahsat as well asrepresentatives of the broader space industryincluding Airbus Space Systems, Asitel, ASIC, Brit,Bulsatcom, Hiscox, Mansat, Marsh, Munich Re, Newtec, Solaris, Swiss re and Thales Alenia Space.�

Policymakers can use satellitetechnology to achieve an

inclusive society. (Photo: Satoshi Kaya/Flickr)

Though often invisible, satellite technology is anessential enabler, with unique qualities of reach,

resilience and capacity


Less than a year since FG Wilson launched its hugely-successful F Model range, the leading global manufacturer of dieseland gas generator sets will be expanding the range further throughout the next 18 months

FG Wilson expands F Model range

POWERGensets

LESS THAN A year since FG Wilsonlaunched its hugely-successful FModel range, the leading globalmanufacturer of diesel and gas

generator sets will be expanding the rangefurther throughout the next 18 months.

The 32–125 kVA range of generator sets,which complements the existing suite of FGWilson product ranges, has proved extremelypopular with customers across the world. Itsdesign provides a more diverse and competitiveproduct offering across multiple customersegments such as domestic, retail and industrial.

Uncompromising on quality, availability andexpert local support, these models deliveruncomplicated power assurance with thequality excellence which the world has come toexpect from FG Wilson. Until recently the 32–125 kVA range had only been available in 50 Hzbut customers are now able to be purchase thisrange in 60 Hz also.

Plans are also advanced for the launch ofthe F Model range in a number of different sizes– both smaller and larger – to meet the risingdemand for the product in countries such asChina, Brazil, Russia and Africa. Over the next18 months the range will become available in9.5–22 kVA, 150–165 kVA, 200–220 kVA, 275kVA and 340–390 kVA.

An exclusive feature of the F Model range,which has been an important factor in itssuccess during the first year on the market isthe introduction of the FG Wilson engines to theproven and trusted FG Wilson generator setcore design. Coupled with robust, world-renowned components, the F models deliver ahigh quality, ready-to-run product that meetsindustry standards for the value-utility market.

Running in tandem with the successfullaunch of the F Model range has been thegrowth of FG Wilson’s official Dealer networkacross China. During 2014 FG Wilson expandedits Dealer network in China with the recruitmentof five high-quality companies which hasimproved its reach across four key provinces –Shandong, Jiangsu, Hunan and Sichuan.

These new Dealers will work alongside oneof the most long-standing Dealers in the region,FG Wilson Hong Kong, who have beenproviding high-quality diesel and gas generatorsets as well as expert advice and specialisttechnical support to Hong Kong, China, Macauand Taiwan since 1991.

Our Dealer recruitment is ongoing and weare engaging with a number of firms with aproven pedigree to establish new Dealers inareas including Jiangsu, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi,Hubei, Henan, Hainan, Guizhou, Yunnan,Gansu, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Jilin,Heliongjiang, and Ningxia.

Neil McDougall, Retail Global sales director,commented, “FG Wilson is continuallysearching for opportunities to consolidate ourposition as the leading global manufacturer ofdiesel and gas generator sets. The expansionof our Dealer network in China and theupcoming launches of our ever-popular F

model range in a number of new sizes are verytangible examples of FG Wilson ensuring all ofour customers’ needs are fully met.

“The F Model product range has delivered onour promise of providing performance,serviceability and durability with a FG Wilsonengine and a simplified choice of options. Theforthcoming introductions of the new F modelsizes will allow us to compete in even more newmarkets and broaden our customer base further.

“Such new product introductions are part ofCaterpillar’s strategic plans to position FGWilson as the volume brand within its ElectricPower Division for all diesel and gas generatorsets from 6.8 – 750 kVA.

“The expansion of our Dealer network inChina comes just six years after the relocationof FG Wilson’s Asia Power Systems (APS) to a28,000m2 world class facility in Tianjin,purpose built to fulfil increasing demand.Highlighting our policy of continuedinvestment in our world-class manufacturingfacilities across the globe, the APS plant inChina is one of the main source plants for therecently-opened Product Distribution Centre(PDC), located at Antwerp, Belgium.”�

The F Model product range provides exceptional performance, serviceability and durability

The 32–125 kVA range ofgenerator sets, which

complements the existingsuite of FG Wilson product

ranges, has proved popular with customers

across the world




The core challenges facing operators seeking to remain relevant in thecommunications market

The OTT servicedelivery debate

CAPACITY OTT

OVER-THE-TOP (OTT) servicesdelivered via the Internet havebecome part and parcel of thelives of consumers today. From

converged multimedia services such as highdefinition (HD) audio and video to socialplatforms, screen sharing and otherbandwidth-intensive, high data volumeservices, OTT has revolutionised dataconsumption. However, while OTT providersreap the benefits of insatiable consumerdemand, infrastructure service providers andoperators are suffering as a result of the verysame demand. OTTs essentially create virtualcommunities and virtual networks,connecting millions of people, generatinghuge data volumes, and making significantprofit, without the need to invest ininfrastructure. Network providers, on theother hand, must cater to increasing demandfor bandwidth and infrastructure whilecontinually reducing prices to cater to theneeds of their customers. This unsustainablesituation has created a number of debateswithin the ICT industry about disruptiveservices and the need for new services andrevenue models. Operators are challenged toremain relevant in the market, and mustcome up with new strategies to become morecompetitive in a consumer-driven world.

Investing in the revenue base While OTTs have without doubt driven greaternetwork traffic, the main challenge comes as aresult of their operating model. They run theirservices over the plethora of existing networksand create large commercial value forthemselves without investment into thenetwork that carries the traffic. OTT serviceproviders largely capitalise on user-generatedcontent and turn such content into afoundation for their own value proposition.Networks, in contrast, are faced with risinginvestment costs, increased customer churnand faster technology refresh cycles, not tomention the effect that OTT consumption hason their infrastructure. OTT players offer theirservices directly to the consumer, which erodesthe traditional revenue base of the networksand drives the requirement for furtherinvestment into network expansion andnetwork capacity. This creates a doublenegative effect for operators of lower revenues

and higher investment requirements, and thissituation is in somewhat of a downward spiral.

In order to curb the negative effects onoperators, some networks have resisted OTTswith the introduction of data caps, or have triedto recover revenue from OTT service providersthemselves. However, this strategy failed toachieve the desired result and in fact alienatedoperators further from their customers, creatingadditional churn. Some operators have, as aresult, embraced OTTS and have made the useof OTT networks free, without reallyunderstanding how this loss in revenue will bereplaced. Ultimately, OTT must become a keystrategic focal point if networks want to remainrelevant and profitable, and new models andrevenue streams need to be generated.

Controlling content The adoption of OTT illustrates that the balanceof power has now shifted solidly toward theconsumer. While OTT providers may believethat they are controlling this balance, it hasbeen demonstrated before that the market

does not harbour much loyalty toward anyparticular OTT service. The moment an OTTservice loses relevance, or new innovationemerges, the market switches to anotherprovider, taking the money and the profits withthem. Fundamentally successful OTTs are well-designed applications with multimedia contentthat demonstrates mass-market appeal.

Operators should take cognisance of thismodel for success and apply this strategy totheir own business. In order to stay relevantand reach the biggest possible subscriberbase, networks have to move up the valuechain, by not just providing the pure transportlayer but also to participate in the benefits fromthe application layer. In this way, they will bebetter enabled to participate in a market thathas experienced such a fundamental shiftbrought about by OTT services.

In order to survive, networks need toembrace the OTT concept and build their ownvalue added services into or on top of it. Thereality is that expecting revenues from OTTservice providers is unrealistic, as is theexpectation that large revenues can be gainedfrom the users of OTT services. However,creating their own OTT services within thecommunities of their subscriber base is onearea where there may be money to be made. Inaddition, operators should look toward thecreation of value-added solutions for the OTTservice that can be turned into a combined newrevenue source. Service bundling shouldbecome a key focus with, for example, themanagement and security of customer databringing additional value to the customerexperience and revenue to the mobile operator.

Operators need to think outside of the boxof their current models in order to remainrelevant. Whatever new services and solutionsare developed and become successful, thereality is that the playing field has changedsubstantially in favour of the market. The onlysure thing is that staying the same andstagnating with regard to services will only leadto further eroding of profit margins. In-depthknowledge and understanding of marketdemand and market dynamics have becomeindispensable tools for any mobile operator inorder to remain relevant and profitable. �

Eckart Zollner, head of businessdevelopment, Jasco Group

Eckart Zollner, head of business development,Jasco Group

Network providers mustcater to increasing demandfor bandwidth andinfrastructure whilecontinually reducing prices


La pose de la première pierre des travaux de raccordement au réseau de fibre optiquelance la modernisation des technologies au Congo

La révolution dunumérique est en marche

INFRASTRUCTURENumérique

CONSCIENTS DE LA faiblesse de leurs infrastructuresnumériques, le Congo et le Gabon construisent ensemble unréseau moderne de connectivité internet haut débit. Deuxprojets cofinancés par la Banque mondiale vont les

raccorder au câble sous-marin (African Backbone) de fibre optiquequi relie le continent africain à l’Europe et développer un réseauterrestre entre leur deux pays.

De l’accès aux servicesContrairement à la téléphonie mobile qui s’est beaucoup développéeces dernières années au Congo avec 44% d’abonnés en 2013, l’accèsaux services Internet demeure inégal, très cher et lent. Ces nouveauxchantiers permettront de couvrir une plus large partie du territoire etd’offrir des services plus abordables et de meilleure qualité à lapopulation.

Les entreprises et l’administration publique tireront aussi parti decette modernisation. Le développement commun des TIC favorisera eneffet les échanges et l’intégration économique régionale. Cela offrira parailleurs de nouvelles opportunités économiques et sociales quipermettront de lutter contre la pauvreté. Le projet modernisera leChemin de Fer Congo-Océan (CFCO) et développera les technologies dela communication dans les villes, ainsi que les services publics etadministratifs. Il générera aussi des emplois, en particulier auprès desjeunes qui seront employés sur ces chantiers.

« Le haut débit est un levier majeur pour la compétitivité desentreprises et pour l’attractivité du Congo en matière d’investissementsdirects, en raison de la forte relation existant entre la pénétration du hautdébit et la croissance du PIB », a souligné le représentant-résident de laBanque mondiale par intérim Clément Tukéba, à l’occasion de lacérémonie de pose de la première pierre en décembre dernier.

Le réseau gabonaisLes ministres de tutelle gabonais et congolais ont signé un marchépublic pour la construction du réseau de fibre optique qui concrétise lamise en œuvre de ces deux projets de « colonne vertébrale de l’Internet» pour l’Afrique Centrale (CAB3-Congo et CAB4-Gabon). L’objectif est deréaliser à terme un maillage total de la sous-région. Les travaux mis en

œuvre par le ministère de l'Aménagement du Territoire et la DélégationGénérale des Grands Travaux du Congo comportent l’aménagement d’uncâble de fibre optique qui traversera le pays d’Ouest en Est en reliant laville côtière de Pointe-Noire à Brazzaville par voie terrestre. S’ajoutent àcela les travaux de raccordement au câble sous-marin Afrique-Europe viale réseau gabonais, qui commenceront à la station d’atterrissage descâbles sous-marins de Matoumbi et parcourront le territoire du Nord auSud, de Mbinda à Pointe-Noire sur le même tracé que les 520km duchemin de fer Congo-Océan.

Les deux infrastructures doteront le pays d’une très bonne capacitéInternet. Ce nouveau réseau national sera public, mais sa gestion et sacommercialisation seront déléguées à un fournisseur d’accès privé.

En attendant, un comité de 16 membres a été créé pour assurer lesuivi des travaux de construction. Il définira aussi la réglementation, larégulation et les modalités de gestion et de sécurisation du futur réseau.Ces réunions périodiques organisées dans les deux pays informerontaussi la population sur ces deux chantiers et sur les bénéfices qu’ellepourra en tirer. �

Thierry Moungalla, ministre congolais des Postes et Télécommunications etPastor Ngoua N’Neme, ministre gabonais de l’Economie numérique, de laCommunication et de la Poste, posent la première pierre des travaux


BLES TECHNOLOGIES DE l’information et de la communication (TIC) sont elles unproblème pour le climat ? C’est en tout cas le scénario retenu lors d’un récentcolloque à la London's Royal Society, qui alertait simultanément surl’effondrement d’ici 2023 des réseaux et sur le caractère énergivore des centresde données et d’Internet. Un scénario anxiogène, bien sûr. Mais un scénarioreposant sur une hypothèse de laissez-faire qui n’a déjà plus cours et contrelaquelle les acteurs se sont mobilisés. Ainsi, chez Alcatel-Lucent nous avonsinvesti massivement pour trouver les solutions aux enjeuxénergétiques des réseaux. Nos Bell Labs ont en effet clairement établiles données du défi numérico-énergétique : plus de 3,9 milliardsd’internautes connectés en 2017, générant une augmentation de 440%du trafic données et 720% de la vidéo. Le tsunami numériquetransforme la question de l’efficacité énergétique des TIC en priorité.

Là encore, l’approche d’Alcatel-Lucent, au-delà des efforts deréduction faits pour réduire notre propre empreinte carbone, mesemble pouvoir servir d’exemple par la complémentarité etl’exhaustivité des deux axes qui la structurent : l’adoption d’unestratégie volontariste d’amélioration de l’empreinte énergétique etclimatique de chaque nouvelle génération technologique que nousmettons sur le marché, combinée à des programmes de R&D disruptifsde long terme.Le rôle du numérique va bien au-delà de ses propres défis sectoriels : via la

dématérialisation, la data, l’intégration des systèmes informatiques etl’optimisation des procédés industriels, le numérique se place au cœur de latransition énergétique et de l’optimisation du bilan écologique de tous lessecteurs économiques.

Un New Deal numérique pour le climat


The convergence of delivery methods and the increased influence of enterprise marketsmean continued development of localised IP media delivery

Systems and technologiesfor content and commerce

BROADCAST IPTV

THE MARKET FOR Internet protocoltelevision (IPTV) is characterised bylow investment and high returns oninvestment. Content can be delivered

over the Internet in the same way as high-quality programming is delivered throughtelevision. Television integrated with IP offerscontinuous television content to sustain avaried customer base. Content deliverynetworks (CDNs) and telecommunicationscompanies (telcos) can take advantage of anormalised approach to Internet access andaggregation networks for high qualitydistribution of content.The most commercially viable content for

service development may be found in musicand video - and so these are key focal points forCDNs and for telcos. Music is particularly well-serviced by IP radio, which can be integratedwith music streaming services and within fixedand mobile telecommunications multi-playpackages. IP video streaming can be bothdedicated and localised for multi-channel,multi-play revenue models.Amongst operators serving Africa, Orange

has been instrumental in delivering bothstreaming video and radio in collaboration withits affiliates in Ivory Coast, Senegal,

Madagascar, Maurice, and Réunion Island. Keyto Orange's success IP media is localisation,which is a key driver in consumer serviceadoption. At present, the strongest markets forOrange are South Africa and Algeria, but all itsterritories may see strong growth as provisionof high-quality IP services requires gainsground in tandem with significant bandwidthincreases enabled by submarine cables andhigh-speed fibre terrestrial networkdeployments. As important to adoption are theutilisation of datacentres and local contentproduction. On the last point, Nigeria, Egyptand South Africa have led the way, withsignificant volumes of local content alreadycreated, and well-established mediaindustries.

Equipment for enterprisesIncreasingly, broadcasters and other mediaorganisations require efficient solutions todistribute TV content internally. Demand is metin the market with technologies such as TVgateways offering capacity and support fordigital video broadcast (DVB) inputs fromterrestrial and satellite sources. For critical IPvideo services, there are TV gateways on themarket providing significant Ethernetcapabilities, supporting automatic Ethernetswitching on loss of network connection. It isinteresting to note, too, that such technologiesserve not only consumer-facing contentdelivery, but all shapes and sizes ofbusinesses, across a wide set of industries,seeking to using their existing IP networkinvestment to distribute video content toaffiliated organisations and individuals -including to employees operating from remotelocations. Colin Farquhar, CEO of Exterity,explained the trend toward enterprise IPTVrecently, saying that robust and flexible TVgateways can "give companies access to liveTV content to support their core businessactivity", adding that benefits to enterprisesinclude "greater mobility through real-timecommunication, greater accessibility and

The most commerciallyviable content for servicedevelopment may be foundin music and video - and sothese are key focal pointsfor CDNs and for telcos


FOUNDED IN 2014, PerceptionTV is a high-growth media technologycompany providing innovative and compelling products and servicesto the IP broadcast industry. Its solutions serve telecommunicationscompanies, broadcasters, content owners and ISPs. Its core offering,Perception, is a white label on-net and OTT platform that delivers livestreaming TV, catch up TV, video on demand and network PVR.PerceptionTV allows both established

broadcasters and start-up media businessesto launch a branded service within a fewmonths, delivering the service rapidly andcost effectively. Perception also provides thecapability to deliver video entertainmentservices across verticalindustries, on a global scale,utilising its regionalisation andmulti-node functionality.Designed for operators,broadcasters and contentaggregators, Perceptionrepresents a cost-effective andrapidly deployable solution,

enabling multiple viewing modes to be combined into a single userinterface across multiple screens. It is scalable, and delivers content toany connected device - regardless of location, at any time.Headquartered in London, in the UK, PerceptionTV maintains

development offices in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, andLatin America. John Mills, the company's CEO, recently explained the

vision behind the development of thecompany's platform. Service providers mustbe empowered to grow with adifferentiated, value-added package. Thiskey commercial message underpinsPerceptionTV's core aim: to enable aprofessional, personalised, operationalexperience to new markets and customers.Mr Mills commented, "The Perceptionplatform delivers TV as it should be -

intuitive, personalised andwith all your viewing in asingle user experience,whether you’re watching onyour TV, mobile or tablet."

Delivering a differentiated media platform with PerceptionTV



BROADCASTIPTV

enhanced productivity”. Exterity's ownportfolio serves enterprise IP video by enablingorganisations to stream content including livebroadcast, internal TV channels and over-the-top (OTT) content. Its ‘Beyond the LAN’ productline facilitates the distribution of high qualityvideo content to a number of screens across awide range of networks - including corporatewired LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi and the Internet.Notably, this capability is critical fororganisations that look to integrate bring yourown device (BYOD) benefits with theirenterprise IP video solutions.Solutions such as those supplied by Exterity

can be combined to build systems that cater forstreams originating from all types of sources -including cable, digital terrestrial television(DTTV), IP, and satellite.

Service from the skySatellite itself represents an interestingproposition. Eutelsat 9A offers an example ofan established platform, particularly popularwith channel start-ups looking for delivery intoNorth Africa and the Middle East. The benefitsit offers to such enterprises include adjacencyto Eutelsat’s Hotbird position, so reception ofchannels from both locations is possible withdual fee dishes. There are also direct to home(DTH) platforms and strong cable head-endcommunities receiving from its orbital location.Moreover, established backroom companiessuch as Arqiva work with Eutelsat 9A, collectSD and HD channel output, providing encodingif required, adding conditional access,multiplexing and channel modulation anduplinking to its own Eutelsat 9A capacity, sothat channels can then be downlinked by DTH

platforms and cable or IP head-ends.In fact, mature media companies such as

Arqiva can deliver full monitoring, technicalsupport and a dedicated account manager aspart of the package. They will also work tostandardised contracts, and maintain aproduct portfolio that guarantees smoothtransmission and offers disaster recoverycapabilities. To emerging and established IPmedia entities, such features can be veryuseful additions to operational models.Many argue that media convergence – by

which IP services are used seamlessly in linewith traditional linear television viewing - willimprove viewer experience. Moreover,connected devices are becoming more andmore ubiquitous, and satellite - as a linearbroadcast technology providing a simple andreliable service - may be expected to play amajor role in increasingly converged markets.The convergence of broadcast, IPTV andbroadband delivery through smart TVs and set-top boxes is becoming more established inAfrica and the Middle East, but this sitsalongside the provision of satellite-deliveredcontent. The end-user experience need notdifferentiate between the delivery method.As everywhere in an increasingly connected

world, audiences in Africa and the Middle Eastare hungry for content, recorded and live. Thereis increasing demand and so increasingrevenue opportunities in news, sports andreality TV. And increased and more variedforms of access to near-line, off-line andarchive programming means greater reach asaudiences can fit more content around socialactivities. Satellite's service to live contentdelivery is particularly strong, as the agility of

satellite news gathering (SNG) vehicles toattend live events and distribute contentquickly and efficiently is particularly valuable.Missing a top variety show, the latest breakingnews or goals scored at a top match as theyhappen can leave people feeling left out -especially when there is the possibility ofsharing views with other viewers, or using that'red button' to vote or interact with a show.

A diversity of opportunityBut the money need not be made from viewersat home or workers out in the field. Anotherinteresting example of IPTV at work in Africaand the Middle East is the emergence ofmanaged digital entertainment andconnectivity services. In this regard, a primeexample is offered by Quadriga Worldwide,which has recently marked a break-out year inAfrica not only in IPTV but in WiFi sales. What'sinteresting here is that much of its businesshas come from hospitality. In the year to April2015, Quadriga secured a 600 per centincrease in sales across North, West and EastAfrica. Its major wins including being selectedas Accor’s exclusive WiFi provider for its entire20,000 room African estate and Starwood’sWiFi provider in Egypt. Quadriga has alsostrengthened existing relationships withstrategically important clients such asMövenpick, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott, Hyatt,Hilton and Rezidor Hotel Group. Its next stepsinclude installing IP and network solutions asthe essential backbone of hotel infrastructureand a multimedia platform (called Sensiq) withstreaming technology in strategic cities likeMalabo, Nairobi, Kinshasa, N’Djamena andAccra.�


CHINA'S LEADING SYSTEMS integrator, technologyprovider and network operator, StarTimes hasextended its partnership with satellite operator SESSA, utilising the SES-5 satellite. StarTimes has

contracted additional capacity to provide an enhancedTV viewing experience for its subscribers in Africa byproviding better picture quality content and more TVchannels on its DTH package.

StarTimes currently provides English-languagedirect-to-home (DTH) content to viewers across theregion, via the SES-5 satellite located at 5 degreesEast, and is today the fastest-growing digital TVoperator in Africa, with more than 5 million DTT andDTH subscribers across 26 countries in Africa.

StarTimes group chairman and president PangXinxing said, “We see unprecedented growthopportunities for StarTimes in the region. We areextending our presence and reach in the DTH marketto deliver on our promise to provide affordable, worldclass Pay TV services across Africa. SES is the leader inproviding satellite services and well regarded for itsreliable and comprehensive networks, and we areconfident of realising our mission, together with SES,of enabling every household in Africa to have thechance to experience digital TV.”

Ferdinand Kayser, chief commercial officer of SES,said, “Both SES and StarTimes have continued toinvest in the African market over the past few years.We are proud to be a part of the growth of StarTimesas it ventures into new markets and we look forward tosupporting their development in the region.”

SES and StarTimes team up for TV across Africa

SES and StarTimes expand their partnership toprovide attractive TV packages in Africa with SES-5,

seen here before its launch in October 2012


Convergence Africa World featured future-ready modular solutions enabling securedigital migration and low-risk entry into multiscreen content delivery

Coverging on newnetwork technologies

BROADCASTING Digital

CONAX, PART OF the Kudelski Groupand a specialist in total serviceprotection for digital television andentertainment services via

broadcast, broadband and connecteddevices, was amongst the most prominentparticipants at Convergence Africa World2015, held recently in Nairobi, Kenya.Amongst other innovations, Conax

featured its Contego unified security hubincluding targeted solutions for securedigital migration, future-ready for addingexciting new services, such as the Conax GOLive entry-level and fast-to-market solutionfor providing secure streaming of livechannels to iOS and Android devices.The Conax Contego unified security hub

supports all major distribution technologiesand formats including UHD/4K, seamlesslysupporting smart cards, cardless, IPTV andadvanced multi-DRM and OTT services froma single unified back-end, covering all typesof networks and end-user devices.Conax also introduced visitors at the

show to its benchmark, modular ‘Pay-as-you-Grow’ business model empoweringoperators to establish or upgrade anoperation with limited initial investmentand incrementally add support for highersubscriber volumes and new content serviceofferings such as network PVR, catch-up,VOD, multiscreen and more – as theirplatform grows.

The evolution of African TVThere was much else to dicsuss at the eventitself, alongside key product showcases andsolutions from the 130 exhibitors includingConax. For example, a feature session atConvergence Africa World facilitateddiscussion on The Evolution of Television in

Africa. The core focus of debate wasdigitisation, and the session wasmoderated by Joe Frans, CEO of NGB Ghana.There was, moreover, a feature presentationby Saad Mouneimne, director of businessdevelopment for the Middle East & Africa atConax. Mr Mouneimne shared insights withdelegates in a presentation on ‘How toSucceed with Pay TV in post digitisedAfrica’.

On the matter of digital migration, and thepart that Conax plays in the evolution ofAfrican TV, Thomas Blichfeldt, SVP EMEA atConax, said, “Already securing 32 DTH andDTT operators across the continent, Conax isa leading driver for Africa’s pay-TV expansion.With a strong regional track record in securedigital migration and innovations for a robustoperator roadmap, Conax is continuing itsstrong commitment to the African market byproviding pay-TV operators with future-readysolutions, expertise and the guidance tobuild their business into the future for nextgeneration consumers.”

Connections and convergenceSet to take place in June 2016, and again inNairobi, The second edition of ConvergenceAfrica World is themed as "ConnectingAfrica". Growth in Africa’s technology spaceis rapidly changing the continent’smacroeconomic landscape. Most Africangovernments are embracing wide-rangingcommunication solutions for voice, data &video, increasing internet access, andmaking IT a crucial plank of theirdevelopment plans. Africa is amidst digital migration and

Smartphone penetration is witnessing aphenomenal upward trajectory across thecontinent. As digitization unfolds across theAfrican nations, it brings forth a need toenhance perspective, innovate andcollaborate in a multifaceted manner. TheConvergence Africa World will provide aplatform to deliberate on convergence ofthese services and will focus on new-agetechnologies and merging businesssolutions that harness the young populationto create a wave of technologicaltransformation in the continent. The second edition of the expo will

showcase innovation and merger oftechnologies not only in broadcast but alsoin telecommunications, IT, broadcast,security & surveillance, mobile money,smart/digital cities and many more. Theexpo will bring together the leaders fromaround the world on one common platformand will serve as a great stage forinternational companies who are lookingforward to enter the African market. Focusedbusiness matching will provide the perfectopportunity to network with industrybellwethers and establish newrelationships. �

Convergence Africa Worldfacilitated discussion onthe evolution of televisionin Africa, during which acore focus of debate wasdigitisation, and there wereinsights from delegates intosuccessful pay TV models ina post-digitised Africa


DIGITAL MEDIA AND entertainment technologist Technicolor haslaunched a high dynamic range (HDR) single-layer solution for testingby key ecosystem partners. The solution, which is compatible withMPEG HEVC standards, creates a video which benefits from improvedcompression efficiency over unprocessed HDR files. It is also backwardscompatible with legacy standard dynamic range (SDR) displays.With a focus on collaboration and open platforms to foster

innovation for the future of digital storytelling, Technicolor’s HDR single-

stream solution will ease the burden on the ecosystem until adoption ofnext-generation TVs is complete.The Technicolor HDR single-layer solution enables the coding and

delivery of HDR content in a single stream to accurately display thecontent regardless of the display type. Designed for broadcasters, pay-tv operators and OTT streaming services looking to migrate to HDRvideo, it allows for the storage and delivery of one video file, whichplays back on legacy SDR TVs and new HDR TVs coming to market.

Technicolor creates HDR and SDR compatibility solution


Des chaînes de télévision numérique en Afrique, et le lancement de My TV Smart, Ma TELEet Shashatee sur le satellite Eutelsat 16A

Les bouquets de téléivoirien et congolais

DIFFUSIONTélévision Numérique

UN BOUQUET DE télévisionfrancophone Ma TELE a lancérécemment en Côte d’Ivoire et enRépublique démocratique du

Congo. Ceci fait suite à un accord significatifentre deux importantes entreprises,travaillant en Afrique pour développer laradiodiffusion. Au printemps de cette année,Strong Media SAL-Off-Shore (SMO) a signéavec Eutelsat Communications un contratpluriannuel qui va lui permettre de franchirune nouvelle étape dans le développementde ses activités de télévision payante enAfrique. A travers des ressources de diffusionlouées sur le satellite Eutelsat 16A, et tout ens’appuyant sur son réseau de distributiondans la région, il y a en Afriquesubsaharienne des services de télévisionpayante en anglais, français et arabe.Créé en 1977, Eutelsat Communications est

l'un des premiers opérateurs mondiaux desatellites de télécommunications et bénéficiede l’une des plus longues expériences dans cedomaine. Avec une flotte de 34 satellites, leGroupe commercialise de la capacité auprèsd’un portefeuille de clients constituénotamment de télédiffuseurs, d’associationsde télédiffusion, d’opérateurs de bouquets detélévision, de fournisseurs de services vidéo,de données et d’accès Internet, d’entrepriseset d’administrations. Les satellites d’Eutelsatoffrent une couverture de l’Europe, du Moyen-

Orient, de l’Afrique, de l’Asie-Pacifique et ducontinent américain, permettant d’établir descommunications en n’importe quel point duterritoire, utilisées pour des applications vidéo,des services de données et de haut débit oudes services gouvernementaux.Strong est un leader dans la production et la

distribution d’équipement permettant laréception de télévision numérique via satelliteet terrestre. Il offre des produits innovants,fiables et robustes à travers l’Afrique et le restedu monde.

Des nouveaux bouquetsAppelés « Ma TELE » et « Shashatee », lesnouveaux bouquets francophone etarabophone de SMO ont lancés en avril. Ilsprennent parti de la forte puissance dufaisceau du satellite Eutelsat 16A qui couvrel’Afrique et ils ont rejoint sur ce même satellitele bouquet « My TV », qui a évolué vers unenouvelle version baptisée « My TV Smart ». «Ma TELE » s'adresse dans un premier temps depotentiels abonnés en Côte d’Ivoire et enRépublique Démocratique du Congo à traversune offre de 30 chaînes comprenant lesgrandes chaînes de Ma TELE pour le marchéafricain, le service BIS Africa d’AB Sat, ainsique plusieurs chaînes non-cryptées (diffuséesen clair).Strong est à la fois l’un des principaux et

l’un des plus anciens fournisseurs de matériel

grand public de réception de télévisionnumérique par satellite. L’entreprise réunit desactivités centrées autour de la distribution, dusupport technique et de l’après-vente de cetype de matériel, réparties dans un certainnombre de pays d’Afrique subsaharienne. Lesnouvelles offres de télévision payante vonts’appuyer sur l’expérience de Strong dans ladistribution et vont venir compléter soncatalogue complet de matériel destiné àéquiper le domicile du grand public.

Une position considerableSamer Mourad, directeur général de SMO, adéclaré : « Nous avons sélectionné Eutelsat16A compte-tenu de l’attractivité de sa positionorbitale et de son poids considérable entermes d’audience dans les marchés que nousciblons. »Michel Azibert, directeur commercial en

charge du développement d’Eutelsat, a ajouté: « Notre position à 16° Est se développerapidement et devient une référence pour lestélédiffuseurs africains et internationaux. Letalent de Strong qui sait réunir des contenusnumériques de premier plan, associé à sacapacité à s’assurer que les téléspectateursbénéficient d’équipements de qualité et à prixcompétitifs, jettent les bases pour de futuresperspectives de croissance. L’accès auxcontenus numériques en Afrique s’accélèregrâce à notre travail aux côtés de Strong. »�

Le position à 16° Est se développerapidement et devient une référencepour les télédiffuseurs africains etinternationaux




SOLUTIONS

32

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT NETWORKS provider Infinera hasannouned the expansion of the Cloud Xpress family of metro cloudplatforms. A new Cloud Xpress with 100 gigabit Ethernet (Ebe)client services in the same compact form factor along withenhanced functionality has been added, and will address theneeds of cloud service providers, Internet content providers,Internet Exchange Providers, large enterprises and other large-scale data centre operators.

Andrew Schmitt, research director at Carrier Transport Networkingat IHS, said, “100 GbE is finally becoming available on data centreswitches and achieving cost effective pricing on routers by creatingdemand for 100 GbE client-side interfaces on optical equipment.”The Cloud Xpress family leverages the oPIC 500 optical engine, whichis Infinera's metro-optimised photonic integrated circuit, to deliverDWDM data centre interconnect services up to 500 Gbs in a compacttwo-rack unit chassis. The new Cloud Xpress, with 100 GbE, extendsthe hyper-scale density, simplified operations and low power of theexisting Cloud Xpress family that operators can use to easily deployand scale their networks. With the addition of the new platform, theCloud Xpress family now supports 10 GbE, 40 GbE and 100 GbE client-side interfaces to match customer specific requirements.

In addition to the Cloud Xpress with 100 GbE, Infinera announcedimportant enhancements to the Cloud Xpress family includingMACsec encryption for improved security, NETCONF and YANGsupport for Software Defined Networking (SDN) and ease of use,and LLDP discovery protocols enabling datacenter automation.

WORLD TELECOM LABS (WTL) has revealed that Interconnect Nigeria(ICN), an interconnect exchange carrier, is now using its award-winningsecond generation VoIP switches to transfer voice traffic between thecountry’s cellular networks and ICN’s VoIP network.

Through the 2nd generation VoIP switches to build new inter-cityroutes that can transfer very high volumes of calls with totalreliability. The company’s VoIP links are a cost-efficient way to linkNigeria’s cities – traditionally a very costly exercise. Earlier, it wasmore expensive to transport traffic between Lagos and Abuja thanfrom Lagos to London. With the new VoIP, more than three billionminutes have passed through the new VoIP links and Nigeria’sexperience provides a blueprint for other countries in Africa, whichare looking for ways to increase capacity and speeds, and reducetraffic on congested inter-city links.

In 2014, WTL received the Most Innovative Product at the 10thNigeria Telecoms Awards, and was honoured at the 2014 AfricaComawards and Global Carrier awards for its efforts to improve Nigeria’sconnectivity. WTL’s second-gen VoIP switches have also beendeployed at ICN’s network operating centre in Abuja. The price whichNigeria’s interconnect carriers can charge for their services is fixedby the Nigerian Communications Commission. Therefore, theinterconnect carriers compete on customer service and networkreliability. Leigh Smith, managing director of WTL, said, “Operatorsacross the world are now looking to VoIP as a cost-effective way ofincreasing voice capacity and improving service reliability. We havecarved a real niche for ourselves as an innovative company withaward-winning VoIP switches.”

THE ACE (AFRICA COAST TO EUROPE) submarinecable system has launched the second phase of thecable, which extends from Sao Tome et Principe toCape Town.

ACE signed a construction and maintenanceagreement (CMA), and supply contract with Frenchtelecom company Alcatel-Lucent in 2010. Nineteensignatories from 23 countries launched the firstphase of the cable in December 2012, in Banjul. Theyinclude Benin ACE GIE, Cable Consortium ofLiberia, Canalink, Côte d’Ivoire Telecom, DolphinTelecom, Guineenne de la Large Bande, GambiaSubmarine Cable Company, InternationalMauritania Telecom, Orange Cameroun, OrangeFrance, Orange Mali, Orange Niger, MEOCameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra LeoneCable Limited (SALCAB), Sonatel, SPIN (Gabon)and STP Cabo.

Phase I now extends to 17 countries, stretchingfrom Penmarch, France to Sao Tome et Principe.

Now, ACE members have reinforced theircommitment to address the connectivity challengesfacing Africa by embarking on Phase II of the projectextending to South Africa. In a bid to addressconnectivity of the west coast of Africa, ACE hasadded three more countries to its network - Benin,Canary Islands (Spain) and Nigeria. As a result, thepopulation connected by ACE has increased by 200mnpeople or it has gone up by 53 per cent.

In addition to adding three nations, the consortiumhas also taken onboard Cameroon as the new

member after signing the CMA on 11 June 2015.Once the second phase is completed, the 17,000

km-long ACE submarine cable system will provide themost extensive access to countries along the Atlanticcoast of Africa including connectivity to two (or“several”) landlocked countries, said officials.

The system will include a sophisticated submarinecable equipped with latest 100G technology and withan upgradable design capacity of up to 12.8Tbps.Simultaneously, the nations are keen on upgradingtheir existing technologies. Recently, the consortiumin collaboration with Alcatel Lucent tested the 300Gtechnology on its system, which it plans to deploy inthe near future.

In addition to the existing set of submarine cableslike SAT-3/WASC/SAFE, SEA-ME-WE.3, ATLANTIS

2 among others, ACE hopes to amp up theconnectivity between West Africa and Europe, USAand Asia.

ACE management committe chairman Yves Ruggerihas reiterated the consortium’s desire to fulfill itsdream of connecting all countries on the AtlanticCoast of Africa according to the initial system designfrom Europe to South Africa.

"The coming of Cameroon into the ACE family willnot only a great achievement but will extend and addvalue to our submarine cable system. Thisdevelopment continues to improve directconnectivity within Africa and to the world at large. Itwill also contribute to the overall objective of ACE toreduce communication costs and drive social andeconomic growth in Africa," said Ruggeri.

Delegates at the launch of the second phase of ACE submarine cable system

Phase II of ACE launched, to connect more West African countries to the world

Infinera expands cloud platform for better user experience

Award-winning VoIP switches for Nigeria


S09 CAF 4 2015 - Solutions_Layout 1 17/07/2015 14:14 Page 32


EQUIPMENT

33

LENOVO HAS LAUNCHED three new consumer laptops - the Z41, Z51 andideapad 100. Whether users just need to create and edit content or wanta fully-equipped multimedia experience to enjoy music and videos, thenew Lenovo Z41, Lenovo Z51 and ideapad 100 laptops are ideal for userswho value simple and functional design.

“We’ve created the new Lenovo Z41, Z51 and ideapad 100 laptopsspecifically for customers who want simple and functional design,” saidBai Peng, vice president and general manager, Lenovo Notebook BusinessUnit, PC Group. “But because our customers are diverse, so our productsare not ‘one size fits all’ either. Our three new laptops offer customers thechoice to select the one that’s right for them – two specialised formultimedia and one all-rounder.”

Lenovo Z41 and Lenovo Z51 – multimediaworkstationsThe new 14-inch Lenovo Z41 and 15-inch LenovoZ51 laptops are equal parts home-entertainmentcenter and powerful workstation. Featuring astunning FHD display, optional AMD discretegraphics and immersive Dolby DS 1.0 HomeTheater Surround Sound for crisp sound andsharp visuals, they are ideal for streamingvideos, downloading music and gaming. Thenew Lenovo Z41 and Lenovo Z51 come withadvanced 802.11 a/c WiFi technology for up tothree times the Internet speed of regularlaptops for faster web surfing, streamingand downloading content. Engineered for

productivity, the new laptops are powered by up to the latest Intel Corei7 processor with up to 1TB of storage.

Revolutionary RealSense 3D cameraThe Z51 also features an optional Intel RealSense 3D camera, whichbrings the world to life in 3D. Featuring full 1080p color and a depthsensor, the revolutionary 3D camera allows the new Lenovo Z51 to senseand capture depth like the human eye. Users can 3D scan objects to 3Dprint, play 3D games or use gestures to control the laptop. Customerscan also create a more lifelike video chat experience by changing thebackground and sharing content.

Essential features from the ideapad 100Lenovo created the entry-level ideapad 100laptop for customers who need only the mostessential features, such as surfing the web,creating content and managing lists. It featuresup to Intel BayTrail-M N3540 processor, up to500GB HDD storage and integrated Intel Graphicsgiving users a fast processor, ample storage andsolid display. The new ideapad 100 runs up to 4hours without plugging in - so users can work,browse online, watch videos and more withminimal interruption. Measuring at just20.2mm for the 14-inch and 22.6mm for the 15-inch laptop, the thin and sleek ideapad 100looks anything but entry level with its classicebony black finish.

MOBILITY SOLUTIONS PROVIDERMahindra Comviva now offers anenhanced verson of payPLUS, with afull blown omni-channel offering byenabling in app and Web-basedpayment acceptance capability to itsproduct suite. This will allow acquirersand banks to offer multipleacceptance channels to theirmerchants. One-time integration willoffer flexibility so that additionalchannels and payment methods canbe added as the market evolves.An integrated payment solution,payPLUS converts the ubiquitousmobile into a point-of-sale (POS)device and helps small and largemerchants to extend anytimeanywhere commerce. By servingconsumers who prefer theconvenience of cards, businesses notonly win back lost sales opportunities,but also enhance customer loyalty. Itenables merchant acquirers to equipbusinesses of any size with cardacceptance - whether a largeenterprise needing mobility or a smallbusiness that needs to servecustomers at home or on the road. Mahindra Comviva’s expertise inEuropay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV)

solutions and mobility ecosystems,along with its dongle hardwareagnostic solution, translates into aunique opportunity to help acquirersrealise their EMV mPOS dream.Commenting on the upgradedpayPLUS solution, Srinivas Nidugondi,senior vice-president and head,Mahindra Comviva said, “Today,consumers are digitally empowered

and expect to be served at any timeand place of their choice. We believethat businesses need to be where theconsumer is and accept any paymentinstrument on any channel that theconsumer prefers. In regions like U.Sand Europe, the need of omni-channelpayment acceptance is thusimperative for merchants to experienceexcessive growth opportunities.”

Mahindra Comviva has introduced aneasy to integrate SDK for merchants toaccept multiple payments instrumentswithin their mobile apps includingpropriety wallets like Apple Pay. Thiswill enable merchants to accept ApplePay in their iOS apps allowing the end-consumers to seamlessly make onetouch payment using a stored creditcard. The SDK allows merchant app tofocus on its core business processesby freeing it from any complexity ofreading token-ised card data fromApple as well as transactionprocessing. It further reduces theimplications of Payment Card IndustryData Security Standard (PCI DSS)certification enabling faster time tomarket for the merchant.Mahindra Comviva has also introducedan iFrame based solution for paymentacceptance for online businesses andmerchants. This allows online merchantto load and embed an offsite securepayment page thereby providingcustomers with a seamless experienceof making payments. At the same time,this provides freedom to the merchantsfrom any PCI compliance aspects as thepages where card data is entered ishandled and processed by payPLUS.

One-time integration offers flexibility so additional channels and paymentmethods can be added as markets evolve

Mahindra Comviva enhances payPLUS for Omni-channel payment acceptance

Lenovo's new laptops offer functionality and simplicity




SOLUTIONS

34

RENAULT R-LINK TRANSPOSE l'univers des smartphones vers un usageautomobile avec son grand écran tactile intégré, ses interfaces moderneset un graphisme travaillé sur l'ensemble de ses contenus. Son grand écrantactile à portée de main, sa commande au volant et sa reconnaissancevocale font de R-LINK un système pensé pour le monde automobile.

Grâce à la reconnaissance vocale, dictez une adresse, appelez uncontact, téléphonez ou lancez une application en gardant les yeux sur laroute et les mains sur le volant.

R-LINK est adapté à vos besoins et vous simplifie la vie : page d'accueilpersonnalisable, connexion Bluetooth avec un smartphone. Avec R-LINK,écoutez la radio, mais retrouvez aussi vos musiques préférées, visionnez vosphotos et vidéos (à l'arrêt) grâce au Bluetooth et aux prises Jack et USB. Etquand vous entrez dans votre véhicule, Renault R-LINK synchronise votrerépertoire et affiche la liste de vos contacts et leur photo (selon téléphone).

Téléphonez devient facile.A l'arrêt, vous pouvez composer un numéro ou rechercher un contact surl'écran tactile de R-LINK. En roulant, vous pouvez utiliser les commandes auvolant ou la reconnaissance vocale.

Diminuez votre consommation de carburant grâce au coaching ludiquede "Driving Eco²". Aussi, avec Driving Eco, consultez le bilan de vostrajets et des conseils malins personnalisés. Soyez informé de la qualité del'air de l'air dans votre habitable grâce au capteur de toxicité et améliorezla grâce au ioniseur : le mode "clean" qui aide à réduire le niveau debactéries, de particules allergènes et de microbes en suspension pour unair plus sain ; le mode "relax" qui gère un meilleur équilibre entre les ionspositifs et négatifs pour plus de sérénité.

À TRAVERS L’OBJECTIF » d'eLearning Africa est retourné pour la sixièmefois, sous l'égide de la conférence eLearning Africa 2015.Sous le thème « Afrique numérique : les TIC enrichissent les

communautés », les photographes en herbe ont été invités àsoumettre des clichés montrant l'effet positif que les TIC ont pu avoirsur les relations entre les membres d'une famille, d'un groupe ou d'unpays africain. L'occasion a été offerte aux mordus d'eLearning et dephotographie du continent et d'ailleurs d'afficher leur vision des TICen Afrique.Les contributions de tous les secteurs et de tous les horizons sont les

bienvenues. Les photos ont été soumises via l'application Facebook « Àtravers votre objectif » d'eLearning Africa, accompagnées d'une brèvedescription de ce qui a inspiré leur réalisation.Trois gagnants ont été désignés par les votes du public et un par un

panel d'experts. Parmi les prix du concours figurent notamment unetablette, un smartphone et un appareil photo numérique. Laparticipation a été gratuite et les meilleures photos envoyées (y comprisles photos lauréates) a fait l'objet d'une exposition lors de la conférenceeLearning Africa.Ce concours a été organisé par eLearning Africa, le plus important et

le plus complet des événements dédiés à l’intégration des TIC dansl’éducation et la formation en Afrique,une manifestation qui permet auxparticipants de nouer des liens et des partenariats internationaux etinterindustriels, et d’approfondir leurs connaissances, expertises etcapacités d’action.La 10e édition d'eLearning Africa s'est déroulé au siège de l'Union

africaine à Addis-Abeba en Éthiopie.

Une tablette integrée et connectée par Renault Les TIC enrichissent les communautés

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