CAF 1 2012 Cover_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:35 Page 1
Issue 1 2012 Édition 1 2012
Africa
Afrique
www.communicationsafrica.com
Mobile World Congress Devices, technologies, and industry analysis
Satellite Broadcast metrics
Network Africa’s data demand
Finance Paul Ndong NguÈma, Ministre de la Communication et de l'Economie NumÈrique, Gabon - à ITU Telecom World (Photo P M Virot) IMAGE: ITU P M Virot
Les services monétaires
Europe m15 - Kenya KSH300 - Nigeria N400 - South Africa R20 - UK £10 - USA $16.50
FEATURES: ● Applications ● Infrastructure ● Finance REGULAR REPORTS: ● Bulletin - Agenda ● Equipment - Équipement
S01 CAF 1 2012 Start_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:53 Page 2
Connecting Africa to the World Revolutionising wholesale connectivity to the internet and global markets
AFRICA’S CARRIERS’ CARRIER With an international network reach that extends to 100 cities in 29 countries across Europe and more than 700 cities in 70 countries globally, WIOCC is the ideal partner for extending your network. Together with our investment in multiple submarine cable systems and access to the largest terrestrial footprint in sub-Saharan Africa, this enables us to offer unique, flexible wholesale bandwidth packages combining reach, diversity and affordability. Connecting to WIOCC delivers improved access to the global internet and better connectivity to international markets through a seamless service - managed end-to-end 24/7 by our Africa-based service desk - that simplifies the procurement of international connectivity. To find out more about our high-quality, high-capacity international connectivity, visit
or contact us at info@wiocc.net
S01 CAF 1 2012 Start_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:53 Page 3
CONTENTS
Issue 1 2012 Édition 1 2012
Afrique
Africa www.communicationsafrica.com
Mobile World Congress Devices, technologies, and industry analysis
Satellite Broadcast metrics
Network
Bulletin
4
Events
8
Agenda
10
Equipment
36
Africa’s data demand
Finance Paul Ndong NguÈma, Ministre de la Communication et de l'Economie NumÈrique, Gabon - à ITU Telecom World (Photo P M Virot) IMAGE: ITU P M Virot
Les services monétaires
Europe m15 - Kenya KSH300 - Nigeria N400 - South Africa R20 - UK £10 - USA $16.50
FEATURES: ● Applications ● Infrastructure ● Finance REGULAR REPORTS: ● Bulletin - Agenda ● Equipment - Équipement
A note from the Editor THE interests of telecommunications operators seeking to deliver mobile broadband to under-served areas via satellite backhaul are represented in these pages, with coverage of the approaches that make satellite-based communications successful in support of core network commercial viability. And the key may be to move beyond calls into the provision of value added services such as social networking and video streaming, to enable operators to support as diverse a range of activites as telemedicine and remote learning, helping to bridge the digital divide whilst improving profitability.
FEATURES Broadcasting
24
How Africa's broadcasters can attract and justify channel ad-spend through accurate audience measuremen; and what investment in infrastructure for a technologically literate consumer base means for mobile TV
Mobile
30
Data usage is set to explode in Africa, and mobile operators are seeking quick and cost-effective ways to expand capacity; as operators look for ways to create differentiation in the quality of their services while reducing deployment costs
Network
34
How communication service providers can optimise their networks and meet the demands of expanding networks
ARTICLES TIC
29
Un nouveau modèle pour les contacts en réseau et les échanges de connaissances au plus haut niveau
Une note du rédacteur LES INTÉRÊTS DES opérateurs de télécommunications qui offriraient mobile à large bande sont représentés dans ces pages, avec couverture des communications par satellite et la viabilité commerciale du réseau core. Et la clé est à la disposition des services tels que les réseaux sociaux et vidéo en flux continu, pour permettre aux opérateurs de soutenir aussi un éventail d'activités aidant à combler le fossé numérique, tout en améliorant la rentabilité de les réseaux. Managing Editor: Andrew Croft - andrew.croft@alaincharles.com
Audit Bureau of Circulations Business Magazines
Editorial and Design team: Bob Adams, David Clancy, Prabhu Dev, Immanuel Devadoss, Ranganath GS, Prashant AP, Genaro Santos, Zsa Tebbit, Nicky Valsamakis and Julian Walker Publisher: Nick Fordham Advertising Sales Director: Pallavi Pandey Magazine Sales Manager: Steve Thomas - Tel: +44 (0) 20 7834 7676, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7973 0076, Email: stephen.thomas@alaincharles.com Country China India Nigeria Russia South Africa Qatar UAE USA
Representative Wang Ying Tanmay Mishra Bola Olowo Sergei Salov Annabel Marx Saida Hamad Camilla Capece Michael Tomashefsky
Telephone (86)10 8472 1899 (91) 80 656 84483 (234) 8034349299 (7495) 540 7564 (27) 218519017 (974) 55745780 (971) 4 448 9260 (1) 203 226 2882
Fax (86) 10 8472 1900 (91) 80 40600791 (7495) 540 7565 (27) 46 624 5931 (971) 4 448 9261 (1) 203 226 7447
Email ying.matthieson@alaincharles.com tanmay.mishra@alaincharles.com bola.olowo@alaincharles.com mne@acpmos.ru annabel.marx@alaincharles.com saida.hamad@alaincharles.com camilla.capece@alaincharles.com michael.tomashefsky@alaincharles.com
Head Office: Alain Charles Publishing Ltd University House 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place London SW1W 0EX, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 20 7834 7676 Fax: +44 20 7973 0076
Middle East Regional Office: Alain Charles Middle East FZ-LLC Office 215, Loft 2A PO Box 502207 Dubai Media City, UAE Telephone: +971 4 448 9260 Fax: +971 4 448 9261
Production: Henrietta Cobbald, Donatella Moranelli, Nasima Osman, Jeremy Walters and Sophia White - Email: production@alaincharles.com Subscriptions: circulation@alaincharles.com Chairman: Derek Fordham Printed by: Wyndeham Heron Ltd Communications Africa/Afrique is bi-monthly magazine ISSN: 0962 3841
Serving the world of business
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
3
S01 CAF 1 2012 Start_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:53 Page 4
BULLETIN @ AFRICACOM Informa examines the state of broadband in Africa INFORMA TELECOMS & Media has issued a report entitled ‘Broadband in Africa’, which assesses the progress towards interconnection of African capitals and major cities with broadband infrastructure, of African villages to broadband services, of the adoption of regulatory measures to promote affordable and widespread access to broadband services, of support for the development of technological skills and of the adoption of national e-strategies; according to report joint author Nicholas Jotischky, “The truth is that looking at the continent as a whole progress towards a more universal use of broadband infrastructure is variable but at least it is underway.”
AfricaCom success acknowleged in networking, knowledge-sharing and business commitments AFRICACOM 2011 ATTRACTED over 6,000 attendees from over 100 countries, with 858 CxOs visiting the show - and 96.5 per cent of attendees saying they would recommend the event to a colleague; “The event provided a platform for an excellent value-add network opportunities,” observed Dennis Ebbah. Senior Manager Financial Control, MTN Nigeria Communication Limited.
MTN pilots LTE at AfricaCom WINNER OF THE 2011 AfricaCom Award for Best Network Improvement, MTN piloted the first ever Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in Cape Town at the 2011 AfricaCom conference; the LTE pilot was implemented to enable the South African public to experience this new technology’s capabilities, to internally gain first-hand experience of the technology, as well as to understand how it performs in a live environment - and MTN’s clients described their experience of the new network as “phenomenal, with the bandwidth on average 5-6 times faster than the 3G network, and the latency at least half with a very consistent experience”.
Improved services and coverage for Tanzania VODACOM TANZANIA IS modernising its GSM and 3G networks nationwide to improve performance and capacity, providing more reliable, faster, mobile broadband services - through a five-year contract with Nokia Siemens Networks for the implementation of NSN’s single RAN (radio access network) platform, the deployment of additional GSM and 3G base stations, and the deployment of various software features; “It’s our key priority to constantly improve the quality of service for our customers by increasing our network capacity, performance and coverage across the country,” said Dana Bakker, manager of executive operations, Vodacom Tanzania.
Building IP backhaul in South Africa HUAWEI HAS BEEN working in partnership with MTN South Africa to build a low-cost, high-quality and future-oriented network, and has achieved low-cost, high-quality services, whilst improving end-user experience; In the future, the network will be better able to adapt to mobile data services and enterprise business development, and will have better scalability to meet future demand on the network.
Seacom and Main One acknowledged for innovation SEACOM AND MAIN One, the only two privately funded and openaccess based African submarine fibre optic cable systems, were awarded ‘Best Pan African Initiative’ at the AfricaCom Awards ceremony held in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2011, in recognition of the interconnection their west and east African cable systems to launch capacity services from PoP to PoP, from a STM-1 level and above; the partnership extends the Main One and Seacom networks to create a system that offers connection between any Seacom and Main One PoPs all around Africa.
Enabling operators to deliver superior services COMVIVA, A SPECIALIST in the provision of mobile solutions, launched WebAxn solution, its ‘single click’ self-care application, at the most recent edition of AfricaCom; speaking on the launch, Manoranjan Mohapatra, CEO of Comviva, said, “With an effective customer services framework to flexibly adapt and service current and emerging customer needs, operators can achieve a strategic and operating competitive advantage - engaging more closely with customers and differentiating their services in the market.”
Dedication to customer service gains recognition
Photo: Anthea Davidson – www.neko-lime.co.
GATEWAY COMMUNICATIONS, WHICH supplies African telecommunications services, received the ‘Customer Service Excellence Award’ at the recently-held AfricaCom Awards, for the company’s focus on putting customer needs first and delivering quick and reliable service; “We will continue to invest in infrastructure and introduce innovative solutions and products to the market,” said Mike van den Bergh, CEO, Gateway Communications.
The 2011 AfricaCom Awards ceremony
4
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
Showing why Africa is ready for the Cloud A NEW LAUNCH event from the Com World Series - organisers of AfricaCom - Cloud Africa (cloudafricasummit.com) takes place 23-24 May 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is expected to attract the diverse Cloud ecosystem for learning and networking, and forming all-important business partnerships; the event will include keynotes from industry players, case studies from businesses already succeeding with the Cloud, roundtables for peer-to-peer learning, interactive panel discussions between industry thought leaders, market overviews from analysts, and networking opportunities.
S01 CAF 1 2012 Start_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:53 Page 5
Market-Leading %DQGZLGWK (I¿ FLHQFLHV
Are you tackling increasing satellite bandwidth requirements, rising space segment costs and/or transponder capacity challenges? If so, you can count on WKH OHDGHU LQ EDQGZLGWK HI¿ FLHQF\ DQG OLQN RSWLPL]DWLRQ for help. Our advanced technologies include: DoubleTalk® Carrier-in-Carrier® DVB-S2, VersaFEC®, ACM, LDPC & TPC Lossless Payload Compression & Header Compression 5$1 2SWLPL]DWLRQ :$1 2SWLPL]DWLRQ Bandwidth On-Demand Our award-winning solutions can deliver reduced OPEX / CAPEX and increased throughput for your satellite links. Contact us for more information.
+1 480 333 2200
/
sales@comtechefdata.com
/
www.comtechefdata.com
S01 CAF 1 2012 Start_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:53 Page 6
BULLETIN @ MWC Mobile World Congress 2012 redefines the mobile! FAR MORE THAN a mere communication device, mobiles now serve as our books, health monitors, payment transfer devices, social connectors and tour guides, and are embedded in our cars, homes, appliances, governments and utilities, enhancing and expanding education, and thus transforming the world; taking place in Barcelona, Spain, from 27 February to 1 March 2012, Mobile World Congress (www.mobileworldcongress.com) will celebrate the current state of mobile and offer a glimpse into where mobile has the potential to go next.
True convergence of the optical and packet layers ECI TELECOM, WHICH provides next-generation network solutions, offers its vision for the true convergence of the packet and optical layers in the network - the Optimized Multi-Layer Transport system, or OMLT - which targets the shortcomings of today’s packet-optical transport system (P-OTS) to address service providers’ needs and challenges as they introduce new services in a timely and cost-effective way; “The idea behind the OMLT was to create a platform that addresses our customers’ pain points – a purpose-built solution that would integrate network layers to reduce the cost of building and operating their networks,” said Oren Marmur, Head of Optical Networking & CESR Lines of Business, ECI Telecom.
Increased mobile broadband spectrum may be vital for Africa’s socio-economic development FINDINGS FROM A report by the GSMA and Plum Consulting reveal that, across sub-Saharan Africa, the release of Mobile Broadband spectrum in the Digital Dividend and the 2.6GHz bands by 2015 could create up to 27mn new jobs, and increase GDP per capita by 5.2 per cent, so directly lifting 40mn people out of poverty by 2025, and Increasing GDP and government tax revenues by US$82bn and US$18bn per year respectively by 2025; the GSMA expects that there will be 240mn mobile broadband connections in sub-Saharan Africa by 2015, compared to just four million fixed broadband connections, and is therefore calling on countries across the region, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, to release harmonised spectrum for mobile broadband.
In Application Payment gives consumers more payment choices ERICSSON’S IN APPLICATION Payment service, based on the IPX service platform integrated to over 120 carriers, enables consumers in games or other applications to complete a purchase without leaving the application, without having a credit card and without using anything else but their mobile phone - so simplifying the payment options and offering the potential of increasing numbers of conversion to purchase; Adam Kerr, Head of Ericsson’s M Commerce business, observing that research firm Ovum projects revenues from paid mobile apps to increase to US$7.7bn in 2016, from US$3.7bn in 2011, says, “In order to reach these kinds of numbers it’s got to be easy for the consumer.”
Forecast impact of spectrum release on GDP in sub-Saharan Africa
Speakers strengthen conference programme EXECUTIVES FROM ALCATEL-LUCENT, AT&T, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, HTC, NTT DOCOMO, Telecom Italia and Telenor will be speaking in the keynote programme at the 2012 GSMA Mobile World Congress; topic areas addressed will include mobile operator strategies in developed and developing markets, cloud computing, connected consumers, mobile money, mobile OS and applications and next-generation networks and technologies.
LTE rollout creates concerns over spectrum THE GSMA’S WIRELESS Intelligence service issued a report recently, indicating that the global adoption of LTE services risks being hampered by device interoperability issues unless harmonised spectrum band plans can be achieved; the report, ‘Global LTE Network Forecasts and Assumptions - One Year On’, predicts that there will be 38 different spectrum frequency combinations used in LTE deployments by 2015, a fragmented scenario fuelled by ongoing spectrum auctions, licence renewals and re-farming initiatives across a wide range of frequency bands.
mPowered brands to accelerate mobile marketing
Focus on meeting network requirements and managing the customer experience
Continued growth expected for RIM in SA
THE MOBILE DIGITAL world is undergoing unprecedented transformation, with the emergence of new verticals and other industry players creating wildly fluctuating demand for mobile broadband throughout the day - resulting in traffic patterns that change unpredictably and swiftly; at the 2012 GSMA Mobile World Congress, Nokia Siemens Networks intends to share its understanding of partnerships that can shape the digital world using technology innovation and new business models - running a variety of live demonstrations and showcases to explain how to gain precise insight into the impact of applications on networks, and how to adapt systems in real time to satisfy broadband demand, whenever and wherever it arises.
ACCORDING TO PETE Cunningham, Principal Analyst at Canalys, "By combining touch-screen capability with a high quality and comfortable-to-use keyboard, the Bold 9900 will appeal not only to its existing user base but also to customers that enjoy a touchscreen device but with the accuracy a keyboard delivers"; with the new Blackberry OS7, the 9900 is expected to help the firm to maintain strong market growth in South Africa. The BlackBerry Bold 9900
6
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
AT THE 2012 Mobile World Congress, the GSMA is introducing mPowered Brands - a new, multi-faceted programme which focuses on building marketers’ knowledge and accelerating their use of mobile as a marketing medium; the mPowered Brands programme provides an opportunity for professionals across the mobile marketing ecosystem to gain important and timely insights, practical knowledge and innovative solutions from the companies at the forefront of mobile marketing today.
S02 CAF 1 2012 Agenda A & B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:08 Page 7
AMOS-5 WAS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED
The AMOS-5 satellite, successfully launched to the 17°E orbital location, provides a full range of satcom services with high-power Pan-African C-band and Ku-band beams. With AMOS-2 and AMOS-3 serving Europe and the Middle East, AMOS-4 scheduled to commence operations in 2013 and AMOS-6 in 2014, Spacecom offers its vast experience to DTH operators, TV broadcasters, ISPs, VSAT broadband providers and telcos throughout Africa. Premium capacity over Africa is now available, contact us to find out more. E-mail: amos-info@amos-spacecom.com • Website: www.amos-spacecom.com
S02 CAF 1 2012 Agenda A & B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:08 Page 8
AGENDA
Events événements 2012 FEBRUARY FÉVRIER 27 Feb-1 Mar
Mobile World Congress
Barcelona, Spain
28 Feb-1 Mar
CABSAT
Dubai, UAE
6-7
IFSEC West Africa
Lagos, Nigeria
12-15
Satellite
Washington, DC, USA
13-16
Digital ID World Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
www.terrapinn.com
13-16
Mobile Money World Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
www.terrapinn.com
13-16
Online Retail World Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
www.terrapinn.com
13-16
R.F.I.D.
Johannesburg, South Africa
www.terrapinn.com
14-15
Near Field Communication World Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
www.terrapinn.com
21-24
International Conference on ICT for Africa
Kampala, Uganda
29-30
RFID
Paris, France
www.rfid-show.com
1-4
IEEE WCNC
Paris, France
www.ieee-wcnc.org
14-19
NAB
Las Vegas, USA
www.nabshow.com
17-19
Broadband Confex
Johannesburg, South Africa
29-30
LTE MENA
Dubai, UAE
www.mobileworldcongress.com www.cabsat.com
MARCH MARS www.ifsecwestafrica.com www.satellite2010.com
ictforafrica.jmcub.com
APRIL AVRIL
www.broadbandconfex.co.za www.lteconference.com
A seamless low-latency network from Africa to Europe ESTABLISHED PROVIDER OF high-speed, resilient and diverse capacity into, within and out of Africa, WIOCC has entered into a strategic partnership with Cable&Wireless Worldwide, a global mission critical communications provider, to improve the reliability, performance and reach of international connectivity in and out of Africa. This initiative will enable WIOCC to provide the first truly seamless low-latency network from Africa to Europe and reinforces its position as the carriers’ choice for high-bandwidth, low-latency, EASSy capacity. Through C&W Worldwide, WIOCC has invested in two new submarine cable systems - the Europe India Gateway (EIG) and West Africa Cable System (WACS). These additional investments enable WIOCC to create a unique, diversity-rich, highcapacity ring around Africa and into Europe, delivering the highest capacity at the lowest possible cost base - thereby extending its existing end-to-end managed regional and international services the length of Africa’s western seaboard. “This strategic investment in new highcapacity submarine cable systems strengthens our existing ‘east+west coast diversity’ proposition and provides our
8
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
WIOCC’s diversity-rich, high capacity ring around Africa provides connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world
carrier clients with even greater network resilience and redundancy. C&W Worldwide is an ideal partner as we share a similar vision of investing in strategic telecom infrastructure to support the growth of Africa,” said WIOCC CEO Chris Wood, who was recently named as one of the 100 most powerful people (1) in the global telecoms industry. C&W Worldwide Managing Director for Global Wholesale & Carrier, Diarmid Massey, added, “C&W Worldwide provisioned its first submarine cables in Africa more than 100 years ago and our commitment to this market has only increased over the years. We are committed to working with partners like WIOCC to foster the infrastructure needed for both international and local businesses to prosper in the burgeoning African market.”
Note 1. In the 4th annual GTB Power 100, WIOCC CEO Chris Wood was the highest-ranked executive from an African business and rose to number 46 (up from 76 in 2010) in the publication’s list of the 100 most powerful people in the global telecommunications industry.
S02 CAF 1 2012 Agenda A & B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:08 Page 9
S02 CAF 1 2012 Agenda A & B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:08 Page 10
AGENDA
Knowledge networks that can achieve development goals A REPORT BY the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) establishes a new Connectedness Index, the first attempt to measure knowledge networks for private sector policy. Titled Networks for prosperity: achieving development goals through knowledge sharing, the report was funded by the Spanish MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F) as part of a project that aims to establish a global knowledge system for private sector development. The report lays the basis for policy recommendations that will help developing countries acquire and adapt private sector development know-how. Networks for Prosperity demonstrates that the ‘connectedness’ of a country has a strong positive relationship with various measures for its economic performance, justifying the growing interest of policymakers in knowledge networks. Specific issues related to the governance of international, inter-organizational and intraorganizational networks are discussed in separate chapters. These are illustrated with detailed examples from twelve countries: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Panama, Peru, Serbia, Turkey and Viet Nam, all of which are currently implementing MDG-F private sector development programmes. The report has been jointly produced by UNIDO and the Centre for Global Governance Studies in Leuven, Belgium, under the overall umbrella of the MDG-F, with inputs from various public and private institutions in more than fifteen countries as well as contributions from programme managers, practitioners and experts. “This report shows that new networks are emerging as a distinct form of governance to meet ever-changing policy challenges in international development. It establishes for the first time a Connectedness Index covering a wide range of countries and correlating strongly with indicators on government effectiveness, regularity quality, industrial development and economic development. The report provides solid recommendations on the next steps to be taken in deepening this index, and in leveraging the role of networks for private sector development,” said UNIDO Director-General, Kandeh K. Yumkella.
NationLink to launch mWallet in North Africa COMVIVA HAS PARTNERED with Somalian telecommunications service provider NationLink to launch the ‘emaal’ mWallet service. Comviva is providing its award winning mobiquity mobile financial platform to enable NationLink to offer integrated financial payment service which empower subscribers to conduct a variety of transactions over the mobile. This includes international inbound transfer, domestic money transfer, prepaid airtime e-top up, utility bill payments and mobile ticketing services. The new mobile money service will be available across Somalia and will cater to under-banked and unbanked segments of the population. The service supports multiple transactional methods, including cash-to-bank, cash-to-cash, cash-towallet and wallet-to-wallet to maximize service access. The service fully complies with regulations and benefits from a robust, open ecosystem of multiple banks, money transfer operators, billers and service providers. Commenting on the launch, Abdirizak Ido, President, NationLink Telecom
10 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
said, “In a short span of time NationLink Telecom has become one of the leading telecom operators in Somalia. Today, people are looking for greater convenience from their mobile phone. By deploying Comviva’s mobile money solution, we are able to provide easy to use mobile wallet and remittance services. This step marks a significant milestone, as this is the first mobile money service in the region, which we are confident will transform the lives of people in Somalia.” Commenting on Comviva’s partnership with NationLink, Sabri Amireh, Vice President, Middle-East and North Africa at Comviva, said, “We are happy to partner with NationLink Telecom and support them in providing world class mobile money services to their subscribers. Our mobiquity mobile financial solution will provide payment and banking services to mobile users in Somalia, enabling them to make quick, easy and secure financial transactions anywhere, anytime. This partnership further reflects our focus on serving the needs of people in emerging markets.”
American Tower and MTN venture into Uganda AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION and MTN Group have entered into a definitive agreement to establish a joint venture tower company in Uganda - called ATC Uganda - which will acquire all of the existing tower sites from MTN Group’s operating subsidiary in Uganda - MTN Uganda numbering approximately 1,000, for approximately $175mn. ATC Uganda will be managed by American Tower, and will be controlled by a holding company of which American Tower will hold a 51 per cent stake and MTN Group will hold a 49 per cent stake. American Tower will pay approximately $89mn for its stake in the new holding company. MTN Uganda will be the anchor tenant, on commercial terms, on each of the towers being purchased.
Yahlive forms HD partnership with MBC THE UNITED ARAB Emirates broadcasting company YahLive closed a long-term agreement recently with the Dubai-based free-to-air satellite broadcaster MBC Group to broadcast its portfolio of high definition (HD) channels - enabling viewers of YahLive to watch seven MBC Group channels in HD across the Middle East and North Africa: MBC 1, MBC 2, MBC 4, MBC Action, MBC Drama, MBC MAX and Al Arabiya News Channel. MBC Group is a private free-to-air satellite broadcasting company for the Arab World. YahLive is a partnership of satellite operator SES with satellite communications company Yahsat. YahLive broadcasts from the orbital position 52.5 degrees East. Viewers in the Middle East and in North Africa seeking to receive MBC Group`s HD bouquet from this position need to point their satellite dish to it. Sam Barnett, CEO of MBC Group, said, “We are pleased to announce this partnership with YahLive. YahLive is building a proposition based on High Definition (HD) television and aims to attract audiences from across the region. Our channels are ‘required viewing’ for many in the Middle East and the ability to watch them in HD is becoming increasingly attractive. This deal should therefore create a strong partnership.” Mohamed Youssif, CEO of YahLive, said: “Our partnership with MBC Group is another key milestone in the evolution of YahLive and an excellent example of our strategic vision to become the HD hotspot for the region and beyond. Ensuring that our customers have access to the number one channels and programmes is of highest importance to us, and it is clear that MBC Group`s offering is amongst the most popular in the region.” SES is a leader in HD internationally, with a total of more than 1,000 HD channels on its satellites worldwide and with a specific know-how in the segment, for instance through its affiliate HD PLUS which operates a technical platform for commercial broadcasters offering HD channels in Germany.
S02 CAF 1 2012 Agenda A & B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:08 Page 11
ABS-3
In Operation Now
Satellite Highlights
Located at 3°W 24 Ku Band Transponders 30 C Band Transponders ABS-3 at 3°W brings you new & affordable high-powered capacity to the Sub-Saharan African region to serve Africa’s growing communications requirements. Contact ABS for more information at: salesmea@absatellite.com
Ku Band
C Band
w w w.absatellite.co m
S02 CAF 1 2012 Agenda A & B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:08 Page 12
AGENDA
Egypt's first HD channel relies on secure communications WITH A MASSIVE new programme of investment in its Nile TV International channel, which first went on air in 1994, Egyptian state television has prepared the way for the country's first-ever broadcasts in HD quality. As part of the program, two of the channel's studios have been completely redesigned and reequipped. Work on the project, now in its practiceoriented test phase, was completed in 2010. The task of specifying and installing an intercom system for the new studios was entrusted to the Egyptian company System Design, which cooperated with RTS/TELEX's Egyptian partner Manial Business Center (MBC Broadcast) regarding the system’s design. Egyptian TV's new reference studios feature a variety
of intercom systems from RTS/TELEX. The heart of the command centre is formed by two modular Cronus matrices – each with 32 channels. Although connected with one another, and therefore forming a logical matrix, the two devices are nonetheless autonomous and capable of being operated independently. Among the other components installed are 15 KP-32-16 and three KP-32 keypanels, a full-duplex BTR-800 wireless station, and a large number of TELEX TR-800-C6 beltpacks and TELEX PH44R headsets. A TIF-2000 digital hybrid telephone line interface from RTS, which is compatible with Cronus, ADAM, and Zeus matrices, rounds off the installation.
Delighted with a successful installation: Ammar Fawzy, RTS/TELEX Regional Sales Manager Middle East (l.), and Ahmed Gamal Saleh, Managing Director of System Design
"We have been working with RTS/TELEX systems for years and have had nothing but positive experiences with them," explains Ahmed Gamal Saleh, Managing Director of System Design. "Products from RTS/TELEX are notable for their high quality, but are at the same time simple to use and configure. What convinced us above all, though, was the outstanding support the RTS/TELEX team provides. Their after-sales service is nothing short of exemplary." The management of Nile News International is equally unequivocal in its praise, as Ahmed Gamal Saleh attests: "The customer is extremely satisfied with the whole installation as well as the performance of the system."
Satellite industry concerns over legislation IN DECEMBER 2011, 91 satellite operators, manufacturers and financiers delivered a letter to inform governments of their concerns over a proposed piece of international legislation called the Unidroit Space Assets Protocol, sponsored by the Unidroit organisation, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law. The Protocol aims to develop a new legal framework for financing satellite and space programmes. The satellite industry representatives maintain that no problems have been identified with the existing framework for financing satellites, that it has worked well to date - and that, rather than promoting financing, the Protocol risks complicating and damaging what is currently in place. It is held that the new legislation would entail unnecessary obligations and costs for the industry.
12 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
S03 CAF 1 2012 Agenda D-C-H-G & E_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:22 Page 13
AGENDA
G-PON ONU growth for Broadband Forum certification ZTE HAS JOINED an elite group of companies that now have certified G-PON products, after successfully completing the Broadband Forum’s rigorous BBF.247 testing programme. Certificates have been awarded recently to awarded to eight pioneering companies during a ceremony held at a Broadband Forum meeting in Marina del Rey, in the USA, recently. The seven other vendors with products to achieve G-PON certification: Alcatel-Lucent, Broadlight, Cambridge Industries Group, Huawei, PMC-Sierra, PT Inovação and Tecom. The Broadband Forum G-PON Certification programme was developed in response to the industry’s need for interoperability to help speed the widespread adoption of fibre based networks. BBF.247 verifies the conformance of G-PON ONU products to the ITU-T G-PON standard and to Broadband Forum specifications. Following the conclusion of the programme’s beta testing phase, ZTE is the first company to step forward to achieve the certification now that there is open enrollment. Zhang Hongjuan and Peng Qiang of ZTE commented, “We welcome the Certification and are delighted to be among the first to achieve this important step. With Broadband Forum Certification we can be sure that our R&D investment in next generation PON technologies - both G-PON and beyond – are in line with market requirements and
Setting the benchmark for security innovation
There is a need within the industry for a conformance programme that supports interoperability to the benefit of all service providers’ expectations.” Robin Mersh, CEO of Broadband Forum, said, “Coming so soon after the first round of certifications, this latest success is a clear indication of the need within the industry for a conformance programme that supports interoperability to the benefit of all. To have eight vendors already certified at such an early stage, within just one year since we stated work in earnest on the program, is testament to the commitment of the industry. It shows both the demand for G-PON and the ability of the industry to work together to deliver quality solutions.” Enrollment in the certification programme is now open to all Broadband Forum members. Additional test suites will be added over time to include OLT and XG-PON1 certification options. The Global Registry of certified products is available on the Broadband Forum website at: http://www.broadbandforum.org/certifiedgpon.php
Vislink launches portable data terminal Vislink’s new Advent Mantis ‘MSAT’ Man Portable Data Terminal is a highly portable tri-band satellite antenna system specifically designed for rapid deployment in hostile environments. The system's fully integrated, portable design requires less than five minutes from arrival to satellite acquisition, making it ideal for rapid deployment field applications where there is no time to spare. Weighing in at only 12.5 kilos, the Advent MSAT is specifically designed to be carried by one person and provides powerful functionality for applications such as secure military communications; special operations, disaster recovery; emergency services; first-on-scene broadcast; and mining operations.
AS ONE OF the fastest growing industries in South Africa today, the security sector has been propelled by the thousands of local security professionals who are eager to source the best home-grown and international products in a country where the public is heavily reliant on the services of the private security sector. This trend was reflected at IFSEC South Africa 2011, which recorded a record number of visitors with approximately 6,214 delegates (a 6.4 per cent increase on last year’s visitor numbers of 5,844) to view the latest offerings by some 200 exhibitors. The launch of a new event for occupational safety and health, the OSH Expo Africa, as well as the inaugural Facilities Show Africa - both co-located with IFSEC South Africa brought the total number of visitors to the event to 8,402.
The Vislink system can be fully operational in less than five minutes
www.vislink.com
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
13
S03 CAF 1 2012 Agenda D-C-H-G & E_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:22 Page 14
AGENDA
A working response to food insecurity
AMOS-5 communications satellite launched
TÉLÉCOMS SANS FRONTIÈRES has launched a pilot project in Kenya using the mobile phone-based, payment and money transfer system M-PESA for the benefit of populations in pastoral areas. Due to long term drought, pastoralists have migrated in search of water and pasture, sometimes crossing international boundaries. Trekking for long distances has led to a significant deterioration in the condition of livestock, reducing their market value and income potential. The M-PESA pilot project is part of Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany’s emergency response programme in Kenya and more particularly of its “Response in Arid-lands for Pastoralists in Drought affected Kenya (RAPID) project”. The objective for VSF-Germany is to conduct Cash For Work activities and thanks to TSF’s expertise, to remunerate the beneficiaries through the M-PESA system. Folliwng the end of this programme in March 2012, it is being implemented in the Marsabit South district, in Northern Kenya, in six specific villages and cities: Laisamis, Merille, Logologo, Kamboe, Lontolio and Koya.
SPACECOM, OPERATOR OF the AMOS satellite fleet, launched its AMOS-5 satellite in December 2011 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. AMOS-5 soared upward aboard a Proton Breeze-M launcher on 11 December, en route to its 17°E orbital position, with the satellite initially separating from the launcher’s last stage within nine-and-one-half hours following ignition and then unfolding its solar panels and communication antennas. In the coming weeks, AMOS-5 is undergoing a sequence of in-orbit tests, after which its manufacturer, ISS Reshetnev, officially hands over control of the satellite to Spacecom. Commercial operation of the satellite’s pan-African C-band and Ku-band payload is scheduled to commence in early 2012. “AMOS-5’s launch further transforms Spacecom into a leading multiregional satellite operator is truly a landmark event for us as we prepare to bring our reliable high-quality services to Africa,” stated Spacecom president and CEO David Pollack.
14 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
“The satellite will offer excellent coverage and ready capacity to a rapidly growing region. Spacecom is excited and looks forward to providing comprehensive and quality communications solutions to Africa.” AMOS-5’s high-power 14x72 MHz and 4x36 MHz C-band transponders, combined with 18x72 MHz Ku-band transponders, will enable it to be a prime carrier of African satellite communications traffic in both broadcast and data services in the years to come. Spacecom’s AMOS-2 and AMOS-3 satellites co-located at the 4°W orbital “hot spot,” together with AMOS-5 at the 17°E orbital position, will provide coverage over many of the world’s fastest-growing and highest-demand satellite markets in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe and Africa. Prior to launch, Spacecom pre-sold over 55 per cent of AMOS-5 capacity to a variety of customers, including broadcasters, telecom providers, communications companies and government agencies.
S03 CAF 1 2012 Agenda D-C-H-G & E_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:22 Page 15
AGENDA
Wireless tower license empowers Egyptian operators SOLUTIONS PROVIDER FOR telecommunication infrastructure engineering services, Mobiserve Holding’s recent signing of a new cellular network tower sharing agreement with Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) enabling telecom operators in Egypt to share network infrastructure. The license confers on Mobiserve the ability to build cellular network sites and rent them to telecom operators in Egypt. The concept of network sharing in which multiple operators can share a single network tower or cellular site, reducing the cost of ownership and maintenance while increasing network coverage. Already, network sharing is one of the fastest growing trends in the telecommunications industry, becoming a widely adopted business model in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. In the Middle East, regional operators are increasingly implementing this concept with UAE based operators du and Etisalat signing a network sharing agreement last year. This however, is one of the first licenses of its kind granted in Egypt. Mr. Sameh Atalla, CEO of Mobiserve Holding, commented on the announcement by saying, “This is a significant step for Mobiserve as it is in-line with one of the fastest growing trends in the industry. It not only enables Egyptian operators to bring costs down as they continue to roll out next generation networks but to push forward with innovative services for their customers. It also gives operators the opportunity to focus on their core business while relying on an experienced company for managing network sites. As a result, we are extremely pleased to be signing such a landmark license agreement as it represents a real breakthrough for the Egypt’s telecommunications industry.” By reducing duplication of the most expensive parts of an operator's network, cell sites, towers, base station equipment, and transmission network, operators deliver better services more cost effectively. Savings can be significant for an operator, - with 20-50 per cent of an operator's capital or operating costs depending on the level of network Mr. Sameh Atalla, CEO of Mobiserve Holding sharing, without compromising network quality.
SatLink platform opens gateway to content SATLINK COMMUNICATIONS LTD. is augmenting its presence in Africa with an MCPC (Multi Channel Per Carrier) platform on AMOS-5’s Pan African Cbeam, providing international and local broadcasters with a robust contribution platform offering total continental coverage. SatLink’s location in the Middle East, its added value broadcast services and playout solutions, and AMOS-5’s 17E high EIRP levels, make this platform a gateway to Africa for European, Asian, and American broadcasters. “Expanding operations in Africa with our new AMOS 5 C-band platform together with our strategic location and our global satellite and fibre network makes SatLink a true Gateway to Africa,” remarked David Hochner, CEO of SatLink.
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
15
S03 CAF 1 2012 Agenda D-C-H-G & E_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:22 Page 16
AGENDA
Dialogue on broadband culminates in ‘Manifesto for Change’ THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY edition of ITU Telecom World played host to highlevel networking, knowledge exchange and deal-making, with over 330 world leaders, including Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers, national ambassadors, heads of regulatory agencies, and CEOs from around the world, together to debate and interact on a broad-reaching global agenda spanning everything from broadband to connecting cities, harnessing innovation and next-generation wireless advances, and featured live participation from around the world. The event was preceded by an invitation-only Broadband Leadership Summit which sought to tackle the many complex issues raised by broadband deployment, from the challenges of infrastructure financing in poorer nations and isolated regions to cybersecurity, data privacy and ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun intellectual property rights. “As we accelerate towards a ubiquitous high-speed future, international Touré at ITU Telecom World dialogue is essential to ensuring we take the right decisions, learn from one another’s experiences and avoid having to re-invent the wheel. ITU Telecom World plays an increasingly central role in forging best practices that the public and private sectors can draw on when defining and deploying the networks that will offer best quality affordable service to all users,” said Dr Hamadoun Touré, ITU Secretary-General. The Summit closed by addressing a Broadband Challenge to world leaders, top policy-makers, industry leaders, users and consumers as part of a Closing Conversation moderated by CNN’s Becky Anderson. The Challenge underlines the need for concrete policy measures to promote broadband, stresses the fundamental importance of making content meaningful to individuals at a real-life, local level, and calls on world leaders, governments, industry and civil society to work together to ensure that at least 50% of the developing world’s population, and 40 per cent of its households, are using broadband Internet by 2015. In his closing remarks, Carlos Slim Helú, President of the Carlos Slim Foundation and Co-Chair of the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Digital Development, pointed to the past decade’s explosive growth in mobile as offering a potential roadmap for broadband take-up. He cited the success of the prepaid model in Latin America as an innovative alternative to large-scale top-down investment, in addition to affordable devices and low-cost universal access through WiFi in public places, schools and libraries.
The most sophisticated campus network in Nigeria
From left to right: Atere Ahmed Chief Operating Officer, Meed Networks; Abdullahi Mustapha B.sc (Hons) Pharm (ABU), PhD (London) FPSN; Vice Chancellor Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; Jideofor Onwuemelu, Cisco Territory Business Manager; Adeyanju Sherif Chief Executive Officer Meed Networks
MEED NETWORKS IN Nigeria is deploying a Cisco Borderless Network architecture at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the largest university in Nigeria and second largest in Africa, second only to Cairo University in Egypt. ABU is situated in Zaria, Kaduna state in northern Nigeria. The Cisco optic-fibre campus network links the faculties, halls of residence, digital laboratories and libraries of ABU's three major campuses - Shika, Samaru and Kongo - with 65 plus locations offering a minimum of 2GB connectivity. The new infrastructure will enable ABU to deliver high-speed
16 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
Internet and intranet access to more than 40,000 students and staff as well as facilitate enhanced e-learning, online applications and multimedia communication services for all campus residents. Cisco 6500 Switch series combined various high capacity Cisco Campus Switches (such as Cisco 3750s and also the 2960s) have been deployed across the campus network. Additionally, Cisco Network Management and monitoring was also factored in using Cisco's ACS Server appliance, as well as security firewalls to ensure protection of the campus all-round.
First ICT training event THE FIRST REGIONAL symposium on the Development of Efficient ICT Training Capabilities in the Telecommunications and ICT Sector in Africa took place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in midNovember 2011, with participation of about 50 telecoms sector professionals from 26 organisations belonging to ten sub-Sahara countries. The workshops were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Center, Abidjan Plateau, and were launched by the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Postal Services, Telecommunications and of New Information and Communication Technologies, Mr. Augustin André Apete, in presence of the Mayor of Plateau, of the President of ATCI board, of the CEO of the Côte d’Ivoire Agency for Regulation of Telecommunication, of ITU and others.
Award gained for satellite service provision SKYVISION GLOBAL NETWORKS Ltd., a global provider of IP connectivity over satellite and fibre optic systems, received the award of Satellite Service Provider of the Year in Africa at this year’s AfricaCom, held recently in Cape Town, South Africa. The awards organiser commented, "SkyVision prides itself on its ability to provide a diverse range of satellite connectivity solutions to meet any demand, expectation, and company need. During 2011 alone, SkyVision increased its satellite capacity over Africa, enabling it to support growing Doron Ben Sira, CEO of SkyVision, demand for its ever-increasing accepts the AfricaCom award of Satellite Service Provider of the portfolio of services and to deliver the Year in Africa most progressive SLA in the market." In accepting the award, Doron Ben Sira, CEO of SkyVision, said, “This AfricaCom award for Satellite Service Provider of the Year is not only an endorsement of SkyVision's success over the last year, it is also a source of inspiration for us to push on to even greater success in the future. SkyVision has a vision for the future of Africa - a future in which reliable connectivity, in even the most remote rural areas, is available at all times. We are confident that we are on the right track to turning that vision into a reality.” Providing customers with the highest level of service is a priority at SkyVision. This is made possible through the extensive network of channel partners and a local team of professional experts who offer firstclass customer service and 24/7 technical support.
S03 CAF 1 2012 Agenda D-C-H-G & E_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:22 Page 17
New services from GT&T GLOBALTT’S NEW SERVICES include IS-10 satellite coverage over the centre of Africa, including: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, South-Africa, Comoros, DRC, Tanzania, South-Sudan, Angola, Namibia, Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon. The company is operating the new SkyOne-IP service, which was recently upgraded, to offer: • higher availability. • no more volume control. • no more restrictions. • increased speed, up from 128Kbps up to 4.5Mbps. • free anti-virus, anti-spam on all Web access and e-mail. NSS-12 satellite coverage for Eastern & Central Africa is also offered, to include: South Sudan, DRC-Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, chad, Egypt, and Yemen.
www.globaltt.com
Support from emergency satellite THE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION Union (ITU) and the Government of the GrandDuchy of Luxembourg are working together to strengthen emergency telecommunications and rapid response in the event of natural disasters. ITU and Luxembourg are members of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), comprising of UN agencies and other humanitarian partners. The Government of Luxembourg developed a nomadic satellitebased telecommunication system 'emergency.lu' - aimed at assisting humanitarian agencies respond to communities affected by natural disasters, conflicts or protracted crises. This platform has been available as a global public good to the international humanitarian community since the beginning of January 2012, with Luxembourg funding its development, implementation, operation and maintenance. The emergency.lu solution was actually developed and implemented as a public-private partnership by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg in collaboration with a consortium of Luxembourg companies and organisations: SES TechCom, Hitec and Luxembourg Air Rescue. It was deployed in full operational field service for the first time in Bentiu and Maban (South Sudan) by a team comprised of Luxembourg Civil Protection, the UN WFP (World Food Programme) and the Ericsson Response Team.
SES emergency.lu
Milano Teleport was the first Italian private satellite organization following the late '90s Telecom deregulation. In 1997, Milano Teleport immediately started deploying its own infrastructures. The company offered not only Radio-TV broadcasting through a Eutelsat digital transponder on HOT BIRD premium position at 13° East, but also the first state-of-the-art state data networking activities.
The communication terminals deployed in South Sudan provide vital connectivity for ongoing humanitarian operations of the United Nations. In addition to the infrastructure already operational in Bentiu and Maban, another emergency.lu communication terminal will be deployed in the town of Renk in the coming weeks. Gerhard Bethscheider, Managing Director of SES TechCom, said, “The emergency.lu platform is an innovative end-to-end communication service for the international humtanitarian community designed to improve the effectiveness of rapid response to natural disasters or man-made crises. Its deployment in South Sudan provides instant broadband connectivity aimed at helping to coordinate the recovery and development aid efforts in one of the youngest nations of the earth, which continues to suffer from famine and ethnic clashes. SES is proud to be associated with emergency.lu and its much needed relief efforts, having helped to establish the system and providing world-wide coverage through its global satellite fleet.”
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
17
S03 CAF 1 2012 Agenda D-C-H-G & E_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:22 Page 18
AGENDA
Award follows business for green power management technology FLEXENCLOSURE, A SPECIALIST provider of intelligent and “green” site power management solutions, has won an International Green Award in the category of Best Green Technology. Flexenclosure was awarded the prize for its E-site base station site solution, which is being run primarily on renewable energy and with the potential to share excess power
with surrounding communities. Flexenclosure won the award for its E-site solution, a new green energy solution that enables mobile base stations off-grid to be powered mainly by renewable energy sources (sun and wind) instead of dirty and expensive diesel fuel. It has the capacity to reduce diesel consumption for powering base stations by over 90 per cent, reduce CO2 emissions by
Flexenclosure’s E-site solution
An evolving focus on converging TV markets CONNECTED ENTERTAINMENT EVENT, IP&TV World Forum, will feature keynote speakers in 2012, including MTV, NBC Universal and Sony Network Entertainment. Focusing on the converging TV market, the conference and exhibition will take place in London, in the UK, on 20-22 March. It will provide international networking opportunities with service providers and broadcasters from varied platform backgrounds – Smart TV, OTT, cable, satellite and terrestrial TV – to compare experiences and brainstorm solutions for delivering multiscreen and multiplatform services. The focus on connected entertainment and utilising social TV will be echoed by Kristin Frank, General Manager of MTV and VH1 Digital, who will give a keynote speech on the first day of the event. Frank, who is one of the world’s biggest innovators in broadcasting, comments, “Social media and second screen platforms are providing TV networks with new tools in the development of transmedia storytelling that will ultimately drive greater engagement and advertiser benefit.”
18 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
Gavin Whitechurch, Director of IP&TV World Forum, says, “This is an exciting time in connected entertainment, as OTT is now so pervasive and compelling that all service providers are seeking to harness over the top to enhance on-demand offerings, and IP connectivity to add new value to their services. The developed focus for 2012’s IP&TV World Forum reflects the evolving marketplace and will give delegates invaluable insight into new industry trends while giving them the opportunity to connect with peers and potential customers.” Extending the topic of social TV and refining the relationship between audiences and content, Jesse Redniss, Vice President of Digital Strategy and Development at NBC Universal, will talk on taking consumer engagement to the next level through gamification. Also confirmed to deliver a keynote is Shawn Layden, Chief Operating Officer at Sony Network Entertainment, who will cover the subject of delivering compelling consumer services to multiple devices by leveraging the cloud.
www.iptv-forum.com
as much, and slash operating expenses by more than 80 per cent. The Best Green Technology award recognises entries that demonstrate innovative breakthroughs in energy and energy efficiencies, and technology used to transform ones energy and carbon footprint. The award “celebrates real innovation”, with entrants having “challenged traditional thinking and have developed groundbreaking technology that delivers tangible sustainability benefits”. Powering base stations in Nigeria The E-site solution has been chosen to support the upgrade of an initial batch of 250 diesel powered base stations in Nigeria. Bharti Airtel contracted with Ericsson to implement the upgrade. E-site will enable Airtel to harness solar energy to power mobile base stations across
E-site turbines, developed by Flexenclosure
Nigeria. The solution has been tested by Airtel in Kenya for close to two years and has proven to substantially reduce diesel consumption and CO2 emissions when compared to a 24/7 diesel powered site.
Global CTOs call for progress on e-health standards CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICERS (CTOs) operating in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry are urging the International Telecommunications Union to accelerate technical standardisation work in the field of e-health. The CTOs - representing 21 companies including Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei, Microsoft, NSN, NTT, RIM, and ZTE - stressed that reliable, interoperable standards are key to providing patients and health professionals with the means to utilise remote consultation services, advanced ICT-based diagnostic procedures and electronic health information services. Consensus is that international coordination on standards will be vital, and that growth in telemedicine services will also demand aggressive roll-out of broadband networks. The CTOs encouraged ITU, as developer of global ICT standards, to intensify its involvement by developing essential e-health infrastructure standards, and by cooperating with other standards bodies to create reliable, secure and interoperable ehealth solutions. Dr Hamadoun Touré, Secretary General, ITU, said in response, “E-health will bring cutting-edge medical advice to people living in remote, underserved areas, and will revolutionise access to health services in the developing world. ITU is actively working with all parties to create the frameworks for these technologies to be rolled-out on a solid bedrock of broadband deployment.” In the area of technical standards for fixed networks, there is also agreement on the need for a release-based approach - with ITU recommended to take a lead in the release production, coordinating the activities of fora and standards-development organisations (SDOs). The CTOs have also welcomed the increasing role of developing countries in global standards development, and recognised the importance those countries attach to issues such as broadband, electromagnetic compatibility, quality of service, sustainable rural communications, and affordability. They pledged to develop partnerships with developing countries to strengthen national standards capacities.
S04 CAF 1 2012 Agenda 03_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:07 Page 19
TAKING YOUR BUSINESS INTO THE FUTURE
If you want to be ahead of your game, collaboration with the right partners is crucial. We understand the importance of connecting the dots... Data Center Solutions t 1PXFS .BOBHFNFOU $%6T
t &OWJSPONFOUBM .POJUPSJOH 4PMVUJPOT t $PPMJOH 4PMVUJPOT t ,7. .BUSJY 4PMVUJPOT t %BUB $FOUFS 3BDLJOH 4PMVUJPOT
AdleRac® Racking Solutions t 4FSWFS 3BDLT t $VTUPN 3BDLT t 8BMM #PYFT t *1 3BUFE 3BDLT t 3BDLJOH "DDFTTPSJFT
FibreNet® Fibre Optic Solutions t 'JCSF 0QUJD $BCMFT t 'JCSF 0QUJD 1BUDI $PSET t 'JCSF 0QUJD 1BUDI 1BOFMT t 'JCSF 0QUJD $POOFDUPST t 'VTJPO 4QMJDFS &RVJQNFOU
Networking Solutions t $JTDP 4ZTUFNT t +VOJQFS 4XJUDIJOH t )1 &OUFSQSJTF 4XJUDIJOH
Structured Cabling Solutions t 4:45*."9 4PMVUJPOT t $PNNTDPQF
Testers & Tools t $"5 F $"5 BOE HCF $PQQFS 5FTU &RVJQNFOU t 'JCSF 0QUJDT 5FTU &RVJQNFOU t 05%3 5FTU &RVJQNFOU
Quality Design. Superior Components. Expedient Service. Head Office, Johannesburg, South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 11 630 1000 | E-mail: info@fe.co.za Branches Cape Town|Durban|Bloemfontein|Port Elizabeth
www.falconelectronics.co.za
S04 CAF 1 2012 Agenda 03_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:07 Page 20
AGENDA
Les TIC au service de la lutte contre les changements climatiques L'UIT, AUX CÔTÉS d'un groupe de partenaires du secteur privé, s'a efforcé de convaincre les délégués à la Conférence des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (COP-17), à Durban, de tirer parti des atouts des technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) pour encourager l'atténuation des effets de ces changements et l'adaptation à ces effets. Les technologies évoluées d'aujourd'hui permettent de transformer les processus sociaux, industriels et économiques et de mettre en œuvre les changements nécessaires pour parvenir à la durabilité. Toutefois, si les milieux technologiques et les ministères des TIC s'accordent à reconnaître que les TIC peuvent véritablement changer le cours des choses, tel n'est pas le cas, loin de là, des groupes de pression écologistes et des décideurs.
Cette conférence a été pour l'UIT et ses partenaires l'occasion de faire savoir que les TIC sont, au XXIe siècle, des élémentsclés de la résolution de ces problèmes. L'UIT est convaincue qu'elles doivent impérativement faire partie intégrante de toute politique globale de lutte contre les changements climatiques. A cette fin, l'UIT et la Global eSustainability Initiative (GeSI) ont formé la Global Coalition on ICT and Climate Change (Coalition mondiale sur les TIC et les changements climatiques), afin d'envoyer un message unifié à la Conférence. Les organisations membres de cette coalition sont, entre autres, le Secrétariat de la CCNUCC, le Pacte mondial (Nations Unies) et TechAmerica; elle inclut aussi des représentants de haut rang des Gouvernements du Ghana, de la République sudafricaine et de l'Egypte.
Le prochain Colloque sur les TIC, l'environnement et les changements climatiques organisé par l'UIT se tiendra à Montréal (Canada), du 29 au 31 mai 2012. Une participation à distance sera possible. L'UIT encourage vivement cette forme de participation, qui permet de s'adresser à un public plus large sans pour autant augmenter l'empreinte carbone.
Orange lance la gamme la plus étendue de téléphones exclusifs avec fonctionnalités Facebook ORANGE A LANCÉ en exclusivité trois nouveaux téléphones intégrant des fonctionnalités Facebook avancées. Grâce à cette gamme étendue de téléphones avec fonctionnalités Facebook dont le nouveau smartphone Android Alcatel One Touch 908F, les clients Orange peuvent choisir le téléphone le mieux adapté à leurs besoins. Les fonctionnalités Facebook sont intégrées dans tous les paramètres du téléphone : de l’appareil photo à la gestion des contacts, ainsi qu’à la touche ‘f’ qui permet de télécharger et d'échanger instantanément. Les clients Orange peuvent acheter ces téléphones seuls ou dans le cadre d'offres groupées à des tarifs accessibles, comprenant l'accès illimité à Facebook sans supplément de facturation de données. “La popularité des smartphones et l’explosion des réseaux sociaux ont radicalement changé la
façon dont les utilisateurs restent en contact et partagent des contenus. Jusqu’alors, de nombreux consommateurs d’Afrique et d’Europe n’avaient pas accès à un téléphone offrant une intégration complète de Facebook à un tarif accessible," a déclaré Yves Maitre, Directeur Mobile Multimedia et terminaux chez Orange. “Nous sommes intimement convaincus qu’il est du devoir d’Orange de permettre à ses clients de profiter d’une vie connectée et numérique riche, et que cette collaboration actuelle et future avec Facebook et Alcatel One Touch nous permettra d’offrir un accès mobile à ce média social à davantage de clients.” “Orange et Facebook ont un objectif commun, celui d’offrir un accès mobile au média social à toutes les personnes vivant en Afrique et en Europe," a déclaré Henri Moissinac, Directeur des services mobiles chez Facebook. “Ces téléphones et notre collaboration
20 Communications Africa December/January 2012
actuelle avec Orange offriront à nos clients l'opportunité de se connecter facilement et d'échanger avec leurs amis sur Facebook à tout moment, partout et, pour certains, d'expérimenter le web mobile pour la première fois.”
S04 CAF 1 2012 Agenda 03_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:07 Page 21
S04 CAF 1 2012 Agenda 03_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:07 Page 22
Our world. Now more connected than ever. Your world. With Arabsat's new generation of state-of-the-art satellites, your world is growing larger — and closer — than ever. With four orbital positions in the sky covering an ever-expanding footprint across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Europe, now you have unrivalled capacity to reach farther and connect in more ways than ever before. That means all the power to meet the growing and evolving needs of large telecom companies, government entities, the military sector and VSAT or IP networks. Connect more of your world, and join the Arabsat neighborhood today!
www.arabsat.com
S04 CAF 1 2012 Agenda 03_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:07 Page 23
S05 CAF 1 2012 Report A & Rapport A_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:10 Page 24
SATELLITE
Broadcasting
Media measurement and the future of digital television The future viability of Africa's free-to-air broadcasters will be dependent on attracting and justifying channel ad-spend through an accurate measurement a fragmented audience
T
HE DEADLINE HAS been set - 2015 is the year in which Africa migrates to digital TV. While the continent prepares for the dawn of a new age that will offer more channels, better sound, picture and additional services, SES, one of the world’s largest providers of satellite operations solutions, believes that the future viability of free-to-air broadcasters will be dependent on attracting and justifying channel ad-spend through an accurate measurement of the soon to be fragmented African audience.
Increasingly, African media entrepreneurs are investing into local media and are seen as catalysts for growth of local media content “Free-to-air broadcasters, who are usually State or private broadcasters, rely heavily on advertising to generate revenues, with advertisers placing ads on condition that they can prove a return on investment. Without proper channel information in the market advertisers are less likely to risk unjustifiable spending - it just does not make business sense,” warns Christoph Limmer, Senior Director, Marketing and Market Development in Africa, at SES. “African countries said to be on the cusp of the migration have touted the range of new opportunities that digitalisation offers but in order to, in real terms, drive the long term success of ‘going digital’ it is imperative that the African media and communications sector invests in proper media measurement,” adds Limmer.
24 Communications Africa December/January 2012
For a continent that, in the next ten years, requires almost US$63bn in infrastructure development, the challenge of exploiting the benefits of digital TV remains great. Unlike Europe where 70 per cent of all TV homes receive digital TV, TV penetration in itself remains relatively low in Africa. Most countries in the region have two broadcasters, i.e. a State broadcaster and a private broadcaster, which has resulted in a broadcasting playing field that, for the most part, is a small one. Another major factor in African countries having poor media data resources is the lack of reliable census information. Many African countries fail to conduct regular national census which is used as the basis for various mediarelated figures, such as the number of homes within a country that have TVs. Although Limmer acknowledges these challenges, he is quick to point out that reliable media measurement is not an issue that can be up for debate as 2015 looms ahead. “Digital migration will happen and countries have to prepare for the future reality of digital TV,” comments Limmer. “Knowing that digital migration poses specific challenges for African countries, our satellites are being used to support the migration process across the region. We have also facilitated the initiation of country-specific Joint Industry Committees (JICs) across the region to encourage the development of a coherent, coordinated approach to media measurement,” says Limmer. Limmer believes that such industry discussions are essential in accelerating the implementation of viable solutions in preparation for digital TV. “In Ghana, for instance, the
Christoph Limmer, regional marketing director, Africa for SES
formation of their National Digital Broadcasting Migration Technical Committee (NDBMTC) has resulted in open discussions around obtaining consistent funding necessary for research,” comments Limmer. Added to this, the formation of NDBMTC has seen a pilot project currently underway in the country as well as a commitment on a national level to complete digitalising all regional capitals and their environs by 2012.
Developing channels Well-managed, effective JICs across Africa could also spur the development of regional industry working groups allowing multinational organisations to successfully and easily advertise in multiple African countries, although presently this remains an undefined future goal. Regional advertising campaigns in Africa are today still comparatively difficult to undertake since markets are not only diverse but lack a consolidated approach to media measurement that produces research - both reliable and accurate.
S05 CAF 1 2012 Report A & Rapport A_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:10 Page 25
S05 CAF 1 2012 Report A & Rapport A_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:10 Page 26
SATELLITE
Markets and methodologies African markets have different levels of industry sophistication and contend with a number of country specific circumstances, such as a variety of media owners as well as entrenched methodologies. As it stands, therefore, it is better to have research/media measurement conducted country-by-country rather than regional working groups comprising of industry players from different countries.
Without proper channel information, advertisers are less likely to risk spending In June 2011, SES introduced Satellite Monitors for Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria. The SES Monitors, which form part of its market research analyses, measured the development of those key markets and collected data from current satellite users in those countries. It was found that, in comparing results with other research studies, significant differences were visible. For example, the number of TVs in homes in Nigeria varied between 7 to 12 million depending on the research study. The discrepancy, which was similar to those found
Broadcasting
in Cameroon and Ghana, does beg the question of how to not only tap into latent opportunities, but also, and more importantly, how best to sustain free-to-air broadcasting in the forthcoming digital TV age where poor media data granularity and accuracy already exist. The risk lies in underestimating the need for proper measurement in the free-to-air broadcasting arena that is almost always dependent on advertising revenue to survive. “Currently, African countries do not have basic statistics necessary to support advertising growth on existing broadcasting platforms,” says Limmer. The secondary value of effective media measurement will be the expedition of opportunities that greater capacity affords the continent. According to Limmer, despite the enormous task ahead the digital migration in Africa affirms American entrepreneur, John Rohn when he said, “For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward.” Having both a young population with increasing discretionary income levels, Africa has been identified by many global investors as one of the biggest growth opportunities in the world. Further to this, more and more African media entrepreneurs are investing into
local media and are seen as catalysts for growth of local media content. In South Africa, for instance, ICASA, the regulator for the South African communications sector, proposed 21 new channels following the country’s move to digital TV. Industry forecasts also predict that there will be more than 10mn additional homes watching digital content in 2013, driven by both digital satellite and terrestrial reception. “In a continent of varied cultures, languages and development, the move to digital for most African countries is largely in the planning, preparation or testing phase. But, with more broadcasting spectrum to be made available more services, such as interactivity, portability and mobility, will be in the pipeline. The opportunity for marketers is that they can target niche markets resulting in the development of the media and communications sector throughout the continent,” concludes Limmer. If digital television is to be sustainable in Africa discussions around media measurement on a country-by-country level is needed. The proper and consistent measurement of major platforms will ultimately be the glue that binds present reality with future viability and success post-digital migration. ✆
Central Bank of Nigeria seeks to strengthen mobile banking
Spectrum Communications is a leading Solution Supplier to Telecom Industry, in the Middle East and Africa Regions, providing Transmission Solutions to Network and GSM mobile Operators and ISP Service Providers and Oil & Gas Industry. A4 42 Saif Zone, Sharjah – UAE, POBox: 8983 Sarhah – UAE Tel: 971-6-557 2592, Email: sales@spectrummea.com Website: www.spectrummea.com
26 Communications Africa December/January 2012
THE CENTRAL BANK of Nigeria (CBN) has rolled out a new payment system to encourage mpayment and cut operating costs. The introduction of cash-lite banking, which has started in Lagos, is a way of realising this objective. Under the policy, the minimum cash lodgement and withdrawal by individuals and corporate organisations are pegged at N150,000 and N1mn daily. The policy took off in Lagos on 1 January 2012. It will, subsequently, be implemented in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Aba, in the first instance, and extended to other parts of the country at a date to be determined by the Bankers’ Committee. To kickstart the scheme CBN has tied with 11 Mobile Payment Service Providers (MPSP) including Pagatech, Fortis Mobile, UBA/Afripay, GTBank, eTranzact, Monetise, Eartholeum, Paycom, FET, Ecobank, and Kudi. CBN seeks to promote monetary stability and a sound financial environment in the country. To this
end, stringent conditions apply to the new cashless framework in Lagos. First, only licensed companies are allowed to provide cash pick-up services. Banks will not now operate cash in transit lodgment services rendered to merchant-customers in Lagos. Any bank that offers cash in transit lodgment services to merchants may expect to be sanctioned. Additionally, 3rd party cheques above N150, 000 will not be eligible for encashment over the counter. The value for such cheques will be processed through the clearing house. Service charges and fees will apply after March 2012 - the idea behind this initiative was to give people time to migrate to electronic channels and experience the infrastructure that has been put in place. Banks have been encouraged to support customer migration to electronic channels, and where possible demonstrate the costs that will accrue to those that continue to transact high volumes of cash in Lagos from April 2012.
S05 CAF 1 2012 Report A & Rapport A_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:10 Page 27
BROADCASTING
Mobile
Heralding the next wave in mobile television adoption Could a combination of investment in mobile infrastructure and a technologically literate consumer base translate into Africa’s emergence as a leading market for mobile TV?
The transition to digital As the continent undergoes a shift from an analogue era and into a new digital age, we are seeing that Africa is well positioned to thrive in a growing mobile TV market. Just as mobile micropayments flourished where demand was high for mobile remittance, so will new pricing models, DRM standards and network connection methods for purchasing, accessing and sharing mobile content. Video on demand will be more appropriate
and flexible than linear broadcast TV to facilitate these innovations for video content. There are firstly some foundations to be laid however. A recent report by Google revealed that half of South Africans view one video a month on their smartphone with 49 per cent watching TV on their device. While these figures are encouraging they also highlight the disparity between the rest of the continent, where mobile usage is far less developed. This gap was further expanded by the South African 2010 FIFA World Cup, where in addition to traditional broadcast mobile solutions became a key supplemental channel for delivering footage to the football hungry masses.
Looking beyond the infrastructure If mobile TV viewing is to really become a success, then operators should realise that they will need to go beyond installing infrastructure and instead looking at a fundamental shift in the way in which African consumers watch TV content. Although Africa enjoys a developed mobile infrastructure, the large rural subscriber base means that connectivity can be restricted at times. Video on demand services can therefore allow customers to watch content when their
connection is strongest. The relationship between the way in which they enjoy and share video content through mobile devices is rapidly changing within some states. However the varying stages of development in Africa make it hard to summarise the continent as each region is a market within its own right, each faced with very different challenges. It is already evident that the demand for compelling content is there. Following in the footsteps of America and Europe, Africa has recently seen first-hand how Wananchi’s Zuku service has led the way by successfully introducing the first triple-play offering in East Africa. With a wide
Major Hollywood brands will help to push the mobile device as a viable platform for consuming the latest global TV shows - but regionalised, relevant content will also be key to success
Huawei has lunched the IDEOS smartphone in Kenya with Safaricom
Photograph: John Karakatsanis
M
OBILE TELEVISION HAS continued to grow and hit mass market penetration in more developed regions, leaving operators looking at who will take centre stage as the next major global market for mobile TV services. Jason Armitage, Senior Analyst at independent analyst house Yankee Group believes that ’mobile video is one of the media markets where local content and marketing drive usage. Yankee Group believes national operators are in a strong position to play a leading role in the offer and monetisation of mobile video.” Africa currently stands as the second most connected mobile subscription region in the world, with one billion subscribers forecast in 2016 according to Informa Telecoms & Media. Informa also reports that ‘the continent is second only to AsiaPacific in terms of mobile subscription numbers’ It’s no secret that the mobile infrastructure in this region is also much stronger than that of the fixed line, ensuring an ever growing, technologically savvy consumer base that is tipped to be the next generation of mobile TV adopters.
S05 CAF 1 2012 Report A & Rapport A_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:10 Page 28
BROADCASTING
selection of tailor-made content for the local Kenyan market as well as a host of global channels from the BBC, MTV Base, Setanta Sports and MGM Movies, this combination offers a compelling package that will draw the interest of consumers. The Zuku service owes much of its success to the focus Wananchi placed on delivering compelling content. Access across multi-platforms only served to become the catalyst in driving adoption. In rural Africa, the TV still remains a communal activity, with groups of individuals gathering at cybercafés to view popular shows. Accessing content on a mobile device on the other hand offers Africans the option to consume content independently. If this cultural issue is to be traversed, mobile content will need to be personal and highly relevant to each subscriber. Video on demand services also enable family and friends to gather around one device and enjoy time-shifted content at their own schedule. Whilst major Hollywood brands will help to push the mobile device as a viable platform for consuming the latest global TV shows, regionalised, relevant content will also be key. Any successful offering would need to bundle the mainstream appeal of global shows such as Gossip Girl, Entourage and Friends with local drama, news and music content. One of the major hurdles in smartphone
Mobile
adoption has been that handsets are not subsidised by operators as they are in many other regions. Just under a year ago Huawei launched their IDEOS smartphone in Kenya through Safaricom. This Android smartphone was priced at 80 dollars and quickly became the fastest selling handset in the market. No less impressive given that 40 per cent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day. Safaricom not only heavily subsidised the handset, but also provided a healthy data package.
The relationship between the way in which they enjoy and share video content through mobile devices is rapidly changing Tony Kelly, CEO – On Demand Group Content remains king The old axiom that content is king still stands true in Africa; a diverse programming mix, utilising the best in local and global
content is crucial. A successful hybrid mobile media service must deliver a range of content in various formats through an easyto-use platform. Content, data access and devices need to sit hand in hand to create one compelling package for Africans. Bundling these products into one service where consumers can clearly see they will enjoy a certain amount of hours of video playback for a set fee is of key importance. The potential for these services is clear and as recent launches have shown, consumer appetite is palpable. Over the past decade the mobile phone has continued to revolutionise communications in Africa, from micro-payment purchases in rural towns, to high speed mobile broadband in Lagos and Johannesburg. With an astute consumer base and a developed mobile infrastructure, mobile TV has the potential to achieve critical mass within some regions. Whilst Africa is a complex region for us to be able to generalise about the future of mobile TV, each region has shown evidence that the demand exists for exciting content to be available at the touch of a button. Once packaged in the appropriate format to meet each market’s varied needs, there is no doubt that we will see mobile TV thrive across the whole of Africa. ✆
ADF grants US$15.6mn for AVU
Spectrum Communications is a leading Solution Supplier to Telecom Industry, in the Middle East and Africa Regions, providing Transmission Solutions to Network and GSM mobile Operators and ISP Service Providers and Oil & Gas Industry. A4 42 Saif Zone, Sharjah – UAE, POBox: 8983 Sarhah – UAE Tel: 971-6-557 2592, Email: sales@spectrummea.com Website: www.spectrummea.com
28 Communications Africa December/January 2012
THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT Bank Group’s board of directors approved, recently, a US$15.6mn grant from its concessionary lending arm, the African Development Fund (ADF) to help strengthen the capacity of African Virtual University (AVU). Agnes Soucat, the bank’s director for human development, said, “One of our human development goals is to increase access to higher education through information communications technology (ICT) and help African institutions benefit from and contribute to the global production and distribution of knowledge. By helping to build the capacity of the African Virtual University, we are doing just that. The AfDB Group’s financial support, through this ADF grant, is consistent with the bank’s new model for education in Africa.” Transforming African economies into knowledge economies will require increased investments in higher education. Most African countries do not have the capacity to build traditional university campuses needed to absorb the large and increasing demand for higher education. AVU has graduated more than 40,000 students across Africa and established the largest distance and e-Learning network in over 27 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. AVU comprises 10 open distance and e-learning centres and an online interactive portal consisting of 219 course modules in math and science, teacher education, basic ICT skills and ICT classroom integration. Students are able to avail themselves of materials free of charge, and these are available in English, French and Portuguese. The portal is currently used by students in 142 countries. The ADF grant will finance the establishment of 12 new open distance and eLearning centres. It will also upgrade 15 e-learning centres at the 27 AVU partner institutions across Africa, develop ICT capacity, enhance science and technology programmes, and train staff to develop various distance and e-learning courses. A key outcome of the project will be to increase the number of qualified female scientists in AVU partner institutions.
S06 CAF 1 2012 Report B-C-D & Rapport B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:11 Page 29
TIC
Internet
Le manifeste pour le changement
L
'ÉDITION DU 40ÈME anniversaire d'ITU Telecom World a fermé ses portes après trois journées intensives de contacts en réseau, d'échanges de connaissances et de conclusions de contrats à haut niveau. Plus de 330 dirigeants, y compris des chefs d'Etat et de gouvernement, des Ministres, des Ambassadeurs, des directeurs d'organismes de réglementation et des P.-D. G. du monde entier se sont rassemblés dans le cadre de débats et de dialogues traitant d'une multitude de sujets d'envergure mondiale, qu'il s'agisse du large bande, de connecter les grandes villes, ou encore de tirer parti de l'innovation et des progrès des technologies hertziennes de prochaine génération, avec la participation en direct de personnalités du monde entier.
L'innovation, par définition, est l'avenir de l’industrie Cet événement a été précédé d'un Sommet des hautes personnalités consacré au large bande, sur invitation seulement, dont les participants ont cherché à résoudre les problèmes nombreux et complexes posés par le déploiement du large bande, concernant par exemple les défis du financement des infrastructures dans les pays pauvres et les régions isolées, de la cybersécurité, la confidentialité des données ou encore les droits de propriété intellectuelle. Ainsi que l'a dit le Dr Hamadoun Touré, Secrétaire
général de l'UIT: "Alors qu'approche à toute vitesse un avenir placé sous le signe du haut débit omniprésent, il est essentiel que s'instaurent des négociations internationales pour assurer que nous prenions les bonnes décisions, tirions les enseignements de nos expériences mutuelles et évitions de réinventer la roue. ITU Telecom World joue un rôle crucial dans l'élaboration de bonnes pratiques dont les secteurs public et privé peuvent s'inspirer pour définir et déployer des réseaux qui offriront à tous les utilisateurs un service d'excellente qualité et financièrement abordable ". En clôture, les participants au Sommet ont lancé un "Défi du large bande" aux leaders mondiaux, grands décideurs, dirigeants du secteur, utilisateurs et consommateurs, dans le cadre d'un débat animé par Becky Anderson, de CNN. Ce "Défi du large bande" insiste sur la nécessité de définir des mesures concrètes visant à promouvoir le large bande, souligne qu'il est fondamental de donner accès, sur le plan local, à des contenus utiles à tous en pratique et appelle les dirigeants du monde entier, les gouvernements, l'industrie et la société civile à collaborer pour faire en sorte qu'au moins 50% des habitants des pays en développement, et 40% des ménages dans ces pays, utilisent l'Internet large bande d'ici à 2015.
L'innovation L'innovation était le maître mot de la manifestation cette année, avec des présentations de nombreux partenaires, dont Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, China Mobile, China Potevio, Cisco,
Photo: ITU / P.M. Virot
ITU Telecom World établit un nouveau modèle pour les contacts en réseau et les échanges de connaissances au plus haut niveau
M Paul Ndong NguÈma, Ministre de la Communication et de l'Economie NumÈrique, Gabon - à ITU Telecom World (Photo: P M Virot)
Datang, Du, Ericsson, Etisalat, Fiberhome, Fujitsu, Huawei, Intel, NTT Group, NTT DoCoMo, Qtel, Rohde & Schwarz, RIM, Satorys, Swisscom, Telkom SA, Turk Telecom, TDIA et ZTE. "L'innovation, par définition, est l'avenir de notre industrie et quand on voit, à ITU Telecom 2011, les jeunes innovateurs et les innovateurs dans l'univers du numérique développer des idées passionnantes, on se rend compte que l'innovation concerne aujourd'hui le monde entier" a dit Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Président du Groupe Qtel. "Cet événement a montré à quel point le changement passe par la créativité, la passion et l'énergie". De nouveaux acteurs, sur les marchés traditionnels comme sur les marchés émergents, étaient également présents dans les nombreux pavillons nationaux de plusieurs pays: Algérie, Angola, Argentine,
Azerbaïdjan, Bélarus, Burundi, Chine, République tchèque, Djibouti, Ghana, Canton de Genève (Suisse), Japon, Kenya, Corée, Malawi, Malaisie, Namibie, Nigéria, Pologne, Qatar, Russie, Rwanda, République sudafricaine, Espagne, Tanzanie, Thaïlande, Ouganda et Zambie. Ainsi que l'a déclaré Igor Shchegolev, Ministre des communications et des mass média de la Fédération de Russie, "La Russie est fière de sa longue tradition dans l'industrie des télécommunications, qui remonte à la première application pratique des ondes radioélectriques par Alexander Popov pour se poursuivre jusqu'à aujourd'hui. ITU Telecom World 2011 nous a permis de montrer que les sociétés russes sont à l'avant-garde du progrès dans le secteur et nous a ouvert les portes de nouveaux marchés et de nouveaux investissements". ✆
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
29
S06 CAF 1 2012 Report B-C-D & Rapport B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:11 Page 30
MOBILE
4G
Small cells, backhaul solutions, and near field communications Data usage per subscribers on their networks is set to explode in Africa, and mobile operators are seeking quick and cost-effective ways to expand bandwidth capacity and increase their spectrum allocations in critical areas that need them
D
ATA USAGE PER subscribers on their networks is exploding and mobile operators are seeking quick and cost-effective ways to expand bandwidth capacity and increase their spectrum allocations in critical areas that need them. Mobile operators are turning to microcellular underlay networks to augment over-burdened macro cellular networks. The missing pieces of the puzzle until now to deploy cost-effective underlay networks has been the backhaul required to deliver capacity to the light standard where these microcells are situated, as well as providing the infrastructure such as power, environmental and switching to support such deployments.
Different structures Said Jennifer Pigg, Yankee Group President, Network Research, who chaired the Backhaul Summit at the Conference, “The cost structure for deploying and maintaining thousands of microcells must be completely different from that of a macro cell. Mobile operators are demanding flexible solutions that can accommodate a multitude of backhaul topologies, and that are compact and easily installed to quickly and effectively meet the capacity demands of burgeoning mobile traffic.” “There is a hidden tsunami that is slowly rising with the new generation of mobile
users,” she said. That would mean more strain on all elements of the network, including backhaul. Looking ahead, she showed how next generation small-cell backhaul need to evolve to meet the challenge. Next-generation backhaul should support multiple operators’ networks in one unit, be small, light-polemount-ready and weigh less than 50 pounds, be all-outdoor, eventually be non-line-of-sight, operate in frequencies below 6 GHz, without interference, not require heavy DC power and cost less than $5,000. She added that the backhaul approach must be flexible and tailored to the needs of the site.
right of way and site construction. The only problem long-term for the microwave solution is that spectrum for microwave could be saturated. There is also the hidden issue, network capital budget, 80 per cent of mobile costs: backhaul. At the show, filled with many new announcements including Qualcomm’s Global LTE’s launches and strong commitments in Africa presented by Reiner Klemet, Vice President, Product Manager, Qualcomm. Arun Bhikshesvaran CMO Ericsson, announced the broadband service to the Cloud would be used in their program with the United Nations to provide software to schools in Africa.
Cells business
Questions remain: What solution will be the most innovative? Macrocells, small cells, or microwave? Fibre is king As far as what technology will be used in backhaul, delegates tended to agree that even though “fibre is still king” microwave is the most cost-effective solution for effective 4G deployment, especially for rural areas. Trenching fibre is expensive and costs include
The business case for small cells presented at the Alvarion breakfast session on the second day of the conference was presented by the consulting group Wireless 20/20. The analysts conducted a small cells case study to determine “the tradeoffs of small cells versus macro cells” and concluded that each business case was unique and small cells still faced numerous challenges such as interference, backhaul and site rental opex. The number of macro cells sites continues to grow, and in 2010 the number of cell sites in Africa increased by eight per cent to 64,800. Professor Simon Saunders and Andy Germano, president and deputy president of the Femto Forum who attended the show to
Komatsu and T-Systems extend partnership into the Cloud CONSTRUCTION, MACHINERY, MINING and equipment manufacturer Komatsu Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd is migrating its SAP environment to T-Systems private hosted cloud computing service in South Africa. The migration to will see Komatsu benefit from an improved service across a virtualised and standardised platform that scales to meet the company’s ICT needs in a flexible, pay-per-use environment. Additionally, the company will benefit from a hosted service that meets the highest global standards for availability and backup, disaster recovery and security. Importantly, the move mitigates the under-utilisation of assets. Headquartered in Isando, Johannesburg, Komatsu has for the last five years used T-Systems as an outsourced hosting partner for its enterprise-wide SAP environment. Moving to the cloud was therefore a natural evolution of the companies’ relationship, underpinned by T-Systems’ globally-recognised cloud computing expertise. Mike Blom, Managing Director of Komatsu Southern Africa comments, “Over the years our relationship had gone from strength-to-strength. Our next step was to obtain an even higher level of service but at a lower cost. This was a key decision
30 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
factor for us. T-Systems’ cloud computing service met this requirement, enabling us to improve on efficiencies, service levels – all at lower cost. It is undoubtedly a good model; ultimately, IT spend will improve the way we manage our business.” Explaining the rationale behind migrating Komatsu to the cloud, Len de Goede, Vice President Systems Integration, T-Systems in South Africa. says it was always apparent from the start and particularly in the last two years that Komatsu’s data and overall business growth would see the company spending additional money on storage. The actual migration to the cloud is simplified as Komatsu does not run multiple business applications. The majority of the company’s business process transactions are run on SAP that in turn simplifies the integration process with TSystems cloud offering. The project took one month and has been followed by an implementation phase over three months. Thereafter, additional services will be added when required, through the highly scalable and standardised nature of the cloud computing offering. It is anticipated that the migration will be completed quickly as the entire cloud offering is based on a standardised platform.
S06 CAF 1 2012 Report B-C-D & Rapport B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:11 Page 31
MOBILE
4G
discuss new market updates and trends in small cells, were openly congratulated for their contribution to the industry. The Femto Forum, an independent industry and operator association supporting femtocell deployment worldwide, was established two years ago and boasts as members over 70 vendors and 66 mobile operators world-wide. The consensus at the conference was that value added opportunity and satisfaction demand for micro sites could superceed demand for macro sites as macro sites are more difficult to roll-out. Ideally, the carrier’s top three priorities for roll-out should be mixed, macro, femto cells.
The NFC ecosystem With respect to horizontal future applications in marketing and retail, there is much debate on near field communications (NFC), a new “core-enabling technology” that promises to turn smart phones into digital wallets. Google’s Osama Badier explained the importance of creating magical experiences for consumers as a necessary prerequisite to kick-starting the NFC ecosystem. NFC will be used for shopping accessing information, exchanging business cards, accessing the workplace and countless other uses. Debate continues on whether this market is real, or just more technology hype. One of the originators of NFC technologies and a supplier of NFC chips, Inside Secure said that consumers would soon experience NFCequipped smartphones in their daily lives, and announced their increased number of NFC chips shipped world-wide.
Some of the new products launched: DragonWave launched their new “Avenue” pocket-microwave solution which can flexibly accommodate a wide range of 3G or 4G microcellular RAN access units and leverages an integrated backhaul antenna array
supporting up to three simultaneous backhaul beam paths using frequencies ranging from GHz to 80 GHz to deliver 1.2Gpps of aggregate, full-duplex capacity. It can be backhauled via fibre or DSL and the manufacturers maintain the solution is the industry’s smallest device, utilizing the industry’s smallest antenna, to integrate microcellular backhaul, third-party base stations, power supply, battery backup, switching, and management in an all-in-one, environmentally shielded enclosure.
Next generation networks Alvarion, one of the leaders of 4G networks in the Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) market unveiled its new BreezeCELL solution based on TrueActive™ DAS technology. BreezeCELL is a cutting edge, active and end-to-end system for optimal capacity and coverage. It is the first solution Alvarion is introducing as part of its new Wireless Capacity and Coverage offering. Said Eran Gorev, President and CEO of Alvarion, “Operators are facing a challenge ensuring Quality of Experience given the unprecedented pressure on their networks due to the constant data crunch.” Alvarion’s Wireless Coverage and Capacity Solutions will enable network operators to overcome these challenges with the most efficient network, providing their customers the best level of service, while reducing the risk of churn.” Commscope launched the first active antennas in use in an LTE network field trial, in an effort to provide more cost-effective ways to transmit broadband signals to mobile customers using next generations’ networks. Active antennas are considered to be the next stage in the evolution of cellular site architecture, in which the radio is integrated into the antenna and the radio functionality is distributed across the antenna elements. As Robert Suffern, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Commscope, explained,
“The digital architecture reduces the need for certain cell site equipment, which can reduce energy consumption, site maintenance and leasing costs.” The antennas can also contribute to the “greening” of cell sites while boosting performance. Ceragon, a leading wireless backhaul specialist announced their wireless backhaul solution FibeAir IP-1010Q, a high density wireless packet backhaul solution for Ethernet and IP/MPLS aggregation networks and FibeAir IP-10Q offering scalability of up to 4Gbps. Globecomm, leading provider of satellitebased managed network solutions continues its support in Africa with its solutions for 2G,3G and 4G/LTE cellular networks and can design, build, run and provide turnkey solutions for complex networks. Brett Calder Globecomm’s Director, Sales, explained the company’s strategy to help carriers, governments and enterprises move to 4G applications without requiring capital and higher expenses of launching those services. He said Globecomm could help their customers move to 4G government compliance with high speed satellite solutions providing voice and data services. New projects include diagnostic in containers, oil and gas sector, monitoring pipelines, and reducing the overall cost of monitoring network container worldwide. “We are becoming increasingly more involved in mobile health for our government support and for non-government organisations like Unicef,” he added. “We support both terrestrial and over satellite – Africa can look forward to change in the next few years.” As always, questions remain: What solution will be the most innovative? Through macrocells, small cells, microwave? Will the 2012-2014 trends be justified? Will the improved connectivity in rural areas be fulfilled? Nobody is talking. ✆
Sara Frewen
ICT research on the agenda: African and European perspectives and plans shared INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS technology (ICT) is a potent tool for socio economic upliftment in Africa. This is the premise upon which presentations, discussions and debates at the 4th EuroAfrica Cooperation Forum on ICT Research were based. Some 200 delegates from over 10 African countries and various European destinations attended the event in mid-November 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa. Hosted by the Government of South Africa through South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the CSIR Meraka Institute, this event was primarily aimed at strengthening and supporting collaborative research on ICT between Africa and Europe, but also at exploring how to support efficient and innovative ICT public-private partnerships.
Partners for a healthy ecosystem The EuroAfrica-ICT Initiative stands for a strengthened and enhanced cooperation on ICT research between the two continents. It aims to enhance the number of collaborative research projects (in the ICT field) between Europe and Africa (particularly under EC Framework Programmes). It is a platform for discussions
(joint research priorities, best practices, search for partners, cooperation events, community of researchers, helpdesk and guidance) and for raising awareness on FP7/ICT cooperation. R&D intensity and vibrant innovation activity, as well as advanced human capacity are associated with a healthy ICT ecosystem in which ICT is produced, diffused and adopted in the economy and society. Against this background, the DST has promoted research, development and innovation (RDI) in ICT through its ICT RDI Strategy adopted in 2006. Subsequent surveys have shown that while progress has been made, there are still concerns regarding South Africa’s talent pipeline in ICT RDI. Other challenges are the scarcity of focused funding efforts, as well as the lack of coordination and cooperation amongst institutions involved in ICT RDI. More is needed to ensure that South Africa’s current and future ICT RDI capabilities are developed. Other African countries have also recognised that science and technology and ICT are key vectors for bridging the scientific and digital divides, for reducing poverty, ensuring a socio-economic development and for reaching the Millennium Development Goals.
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
31
S06 CAF 1 2012 Report B-C-D & Rapport B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:11 Page 32
MOBILE
Optimisation
Optimising networks for mobile data management Operators are looking for ways to create differentiation in the quality of their services while reducing deployment costs to increase service profitability and enable competitive pricing strategies
W
HILE MOBILE BROADBAND penetration rates in many African countries remain low compared to other markets, demand for mobile data on the continent is rapidly on the rise, and the potential for growth in the coming years is significant according to industry observers. Earlier this year, for example, Ovum predicted that 3G HSPA connections in Africa would grow from 18.3mn in 2010 to over 164mn by 2014. As in other emerging markets, consumers in Africa have turned to mobile communications as an alternative to fixed line networks, which are often hampered by limited or poor telecoms infrastructure. Relying on mobile communications as an alternative to fixed line networks began with voice, and it is also proving to be the preferred method with mobile broadband connections, which are already far outpacing their fixed broadband counterparts, according to a recent ITU report. Operators in the region are responding to the mobile data opportunity with new investment in mobile infrastructure and the rollout of new services. Today there are over 30 HSPA networks deployed in Africa, and as competition for subscribers intensifies with new entrants, operators are looking for ways to more effectively create differentiation in the quality of their services while reducing deployment costs to increase service profitability and enable competitive pricing strategies. In mature mobile markets such as South Africa, which boasts the highest mobile broadband connections on the continent, the appetite for broadband connectivity has led to a vibrant marketplace. But as demand for mobile data explodes in these markets, operators face a number of key challenges, including degradation in service quality due to network congestion. As evidenced in other mobile broadband markets, the most common reason for congestion tends to be spikes in traffic demand during peak hours or unpredictable bandwidth surges caused by flash events. These peaks can often be four to five times the average baseline traffic, and can easily bring the mobile viewing experience to a frustrating halt when data consumption exceeds provisioned backhaul capacity.
32 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
These peak demands and flash events are typically driven by the consumption of mobile video. In markets like Africa where a much higher percentage of consumers rely on wireless networks for broadband connectivity, and where access bandwidth is often limited or constrained, rising video consumption can pose a formidable obstacle to superior service quality. In order to effectively manage the onslaught of traffic and address these challenges, wireless operators need to upgrade and continuously optimise their mobile networks to ensure that they continue to meet customer expectations and provide a good user experience. If they don’t, they may pay dearly with high customer churn and market share erosion. Technology is a flexible and innovative ally in the drive to address these challenges, especially when it comes to the new intelligent processes to optimise mobile networks. There is an emerging set of technologies, products and solutions available that focus on optimising the mobile network at the content, application and user levels that can significantly assist mobile operators as they manage cost and complexity while improving the subscriber experience.
Combating congestion in the RAN Nowhere is the congestion challenge more acute than in the cost-sensitive Radio Access Network (RAN). The RAN provides connectivity between the radio base stations (Node Bs in HSPA networks) and Radio Network Controller (RNC) hub sites aggregating and processing mobile traffic. One obvious choice for operators facing congestion challenges is to invest in upgrading networks to faster connections. Adding capacity to the existing backhaul network is the
traditional approach to combating capacity constraints in the network. However, the approach is also the most expensive as operators have to make a sizeable investment in new infrastructure, which can be problematic for African operators facing capital constraints and the continuous need to maximise existing assets. An alternative is upgrading to packetbased backhaul. The strategy, which can encompass deployment of Carrier Ethernet services or upgrading from TDM-based microwave to Packet/Ethernet-based microwave solutions, can provide a significant leap in capacity while lowering the recurring operational cost per Mbps of incremental bandwidth. However, this approach requires significant planning, as well as capital investment. In addition, the operator may face other issues such as rightof-way agreements, spectrum leasing and operational upgrades that can incur significant time and cost. Another approach is offloading and diverting specific backhaul traffic which transfers mobile data traffic to lower cost transmission alternatives. Offloading traffic can be effective but it can also have economic, operational, spectrum planning, policy and SLA implications. This method is especially an issue in Africa as there can often be problems with regulations of technology. While the options noted above can be effective in certain cases, they are typically expensive, reactive, and do not fundamentally solve the underlying challenges. Since the majority of problems with mobile broadband congestion often occur during unpredictable peaks in traffic, these options lack the ability to adapt in a real-time manner that effectively absorbs the unpredictable bursts of data inherent to mobile broadband traffic.
S06 CAF 1 2012 Report B-C-D & Rapport B_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:11 Page 33
Optimisation
Adaptive Content Optimisation Adaptive Content Optimisation (ACO) reduces the traffic travelling across the RAN. This is a unique approach designed to leverage content awareness of RAN user flows (and of all RAN traffic types – including video, images, text, P2P, etc.) to compute the optimal way to reduce data traffic loads across cost-sensitive backhaul links. This technique can reduce congestion in real-time over existing backhaul links, improving the customer experience during peak traffic periods and lowering transmission costs in the process. And since many African operators are not in a position to rip out existing networks and start over from scratch, implementing ACO solutions will allow them to efficiently sweat their existing assets by freeing up capacity in the cost-sensitive RAN. An example of where this technique is particularly effective is in the case of mobile video consumption. Mobile data trends are beginning to show a growing concentration of video traffic into fewer distribution points (video oriented websites, mobile video applications…) and into a smaller number of highly popular videos. While diversity will continue to be a component of the long tail phenomenon, what is more important to operators is the fact that the traffic volume is concentrating on a smaller percentage of the most popular videos being watched repeatedly, a trend that is likely to occur in African mobile broadband communities as they evolve. In the RAN, this trend results in the need to backhaul a high volume of large files that can be characterised as “common content”. This common content is exactly what ACO’s data reduction algorithms are designed to optimise.
Markets and opportunities The emerging mobile broadband market in Africa presents both opportunities and challenges for operators across the region. With Compound Annual Growth Rates for mobile data traffic in Africa expected to top 129 percent over the next five years, the time is ripe for fresh approaches to network planning and traffic management that will help operators avert the crippling effects of mobile data congestion. Adaptive Content Optimisation is a new tool in the operators’ arsenal, one designed to improve a subscriber’s mobile data experience, delay infrastructure growth, and improve the service delivery economics in a strategic part of the mobile broadband network. ✆
Scott Larson, Vice President of Marketing, Sycamore Networks
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
33
S07 CAF 1 2012_Report G E & Rapport C_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:03 Page 34
NETWORK
Optimisation
Harnessing the power of the mobile data explosion How communication service providers can overcome the challenges posed by an increase in data-intensive products; how they can optimise their networks and meet the demands of expanding networks
T
Smartphone proliferation and the introduction of tablet devices have inspired a generation of data-hungry customers
34 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
HE MOBILE SERVICES industry continues to evolve at a lightning-fast pace. Smartphone proliferation and the birth of the iPad and other tablets have inspired a generation of datahungry customers. This growing use of data-intensive devices is placing increasing strain on communication service providers’ (CSPs) networks and now, in addition to maintaining and growing their customer bases, CSPs around the world are tasked with optimising the capabilities of their networks to satisfy demand and customer expectations. This is no different in Africa, where as well as optimising networks to cope with demand, CSPs must increasingly address issues around saturation and churn. If left unresolved, these issues could have serious consequences for the success of CSPs in the region. Issues surrounding network optimisation have gathered momentum simultaneously with the use of data-intensive products. In fact, Oracle Communications’ recent “Opportunity Calling: The Future of Mobile Communications – Take Two” report, which examined changes in global mobile phone use, found that nearly half (47 per cent) of respondents said their data use has increased in the last 12 months. It also found that 16 per cent of mobile customers have purchased a tablet computer in the last year, while just over two fifths plan to purchase one in the
The increasing number of data-intensive products and services require better management of a CSPs network capacity coming 12 months. Undoubtedly, data use and the strain it places on mobile networks will continue to increase over the coming years.
Significant Revenue Opportunity Recent research by the GSMA found the number of mobile devices is set to increase 100 per cent to 12bn worldwide by 2020, showing that increased network pressure through data requirements will continue. The research also predicts the growth of data will create a revenue opportunity of nearly $1.2 trillion for CSPs, which they simply cannot afford to miss. Considering this, it is no surprise a recent report from Infonetics Research found the mobile network optimisation market is expected to grow to nearly $3bn by 2015. In order to obtain their slice of this revenue, African CSPs must overcome a number of challenges and optimise their networks and revenue streams, as well as continue to satisfy customer demand. These challenges include: • Managing Customer Demand – African CSPs will benefit from encouraging their customers to be more efficient with the packages they have. This can be achieved by helping customers to consume what they need at a time and price which is right for them. For example, if a user would like to download data rich content at a time when the network is likely to be very busy, the CSP would benefit from being able
•
•
•
•
to notify the user that if they download the content later in the day they could do so for a cheaper price and faster speed. Developing Deeper Customer Insight – Without a detailed view of customer activity, CSPs will not have the raw data to effectively analyse and understand where their most significant revenue streams are coming from in order to optimise them, through offering additional more tailored products and services. Network Efficiency – By removing inefficiencies within the network, such as improving reception in areas of poor coverage, CSPs can better ensure their networks have the required capacity to deal with the pressures being placed on them at any given time or location. Network Security – As a result of the general growth in data use, customers will be inevitably be sharing more sensitive data across the networks. As such, African CSPs must ensure their networks are adequately protected, and play a role in educating customers about how to stay safe while mobile. Managing Saturation – With many African markets saturated or approaching saturation, CSPs must ensure they are able to manage the customer experience in order to maintain and grow their existing customer base. In order to deliver this, CSPs need
S07 CAF 1 2012_Report G E & Rapport C_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:03 Page 35
NETWORK
Optimisation
to provide value added services beyond their core capabilities, such as mobile application stores which support the growth of innovative mobile applications.
Optimising the network In order to overcome the challenges surrounding network optimisation, African CSPs must implement a series of technologies and processes allowing them to better manage and prepare for the data growth. One such technology they can deploy is a comprehensive, integrated and flexible policy management solution. The solution will help CSPs to better manage customer demand as they will be able to control the networks by expanding or contracting bandwidth as appropriate, based on customer subscriptions and personalised services in the form of service aware policies. On top of optimising the network, an effective - revenue
focused - policy management solution will enable African CSPs to grab a slice of the revenue created by the increase in data. Because CSPs will be distributing bandwidth based on personalised services, they can tailor offerings based on customer preferences, such as social media, video streaming and VoIP plans. Furthermore, the deeper customer insight will help shorten the time to market for new services, as operations will be more streamlined, helping African CSPs address issues regarding saturation. African CSPs could also benefit from installing a network intelligence solution, which would allow them to rapidly and efficiently plan for the network capacity required to deliver customer services over a combination of network devices. For example, as a result of installing a network intelligence solution, leading Irish CSP, Meteor Communications, has been able to better prepare for
expected increases in customer demand. The technology provides Meteor with a complete view of its network and inventory systems, so that it can optimise network capacity and satisfy customer expectations. Meteor also deployed an effective network integrity application, which ensures optimum data accuracy by discovering and reconciling information from network devices. The insight delivered by the application enabled Meteor to improve customer satisfaction by configuring its network “right first time”.
Act now for tomorrow Similarly to the benefits delivered to Meteor, the increased insight into data on the network could help African CSPs to reduce capital expenditure through accurate and optimised network investment plans, by resolving network faults faster and increasing user confidence in the decision-making processes.
With global data use bound to grow significantly over the coming years, it is critical that African CSPs act now so they are better prepared to cope, as well as to optimise the relevant revenue streams. What’s more, the growing amount of data offers the opportunity for a far deeper customer insight, allowing CSPs to differentiate their plans beyond pricing in order to satisfy customer demand further. The benefits of optimising networks and managing the increase in data far outweigh the challenges. If African CSPs do not implement the technologies which allow them to optimise network capacity and meet customer demand and expectations they will miss out on a significant revenue opportunity which they simply cannot afford to do. ✆
Gordon Rawling, Marketing Director, Communications
Senior Oracle
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
35
S10 CAF 1 2012 Equipment 2_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:20 Page 36
EQUIPMENT
A noticeboard for messaging, by Telsis DEVELOPED BY TELSIS, Just Dot Me is the world’s first service to let mobile phone users post information for retrieval by anyone, anywhere, from any handset. The key strengths of the service are simplicity and ubiquity. GSM networks drive economic growth because they have provided a better (mobile) way to communicate. Just Dot Me builds on this tradition by providing a simple ubiquitous ‘pull’ technology that allows information to be easily and instantly disseminated via SMS. Just Dot Me can enhance quality of life and improve economic efficiency, both individual and national. Noticeboards provide a powerful means of disseminating information, but in the mobile domain the key problem has been in providing a simple and easy means of access. The Just Dot Me solution, as with all breakthrough innovations, is obvious with hindsight – let each individual publish on their own, already known, number. How is that possible? It’s possible by using innovative network technology, invented by Telsis, that routes dot-only SMS messages not to the recipient’s handset but to the Just Dot Me Noticeboard system. A user posts information by simply texting it to an SMS shortcode; other people access that information by texting a dot (.) to the user’s mobile phone number. The instant reply from the Just Dot Me system contains the current post – the user is not disturbed, and their handset does not even have to be switched on. Just Dot Me is quick and cost-effective to deploy, as it needs no integration with billing, provisioning or other back-end systems. The service also provides network operators with a unique method of brand promotion, as their brand is displayed on each reply to a dot message, even on the phones of rival networks.
10 Gig ethernet rackmount switch KONTRON HAS INTRODUCED its powerful 10 Gigabit Ethernet Rackmount Switch CP6930-RM with up to 32 ports. It is hardened to meet high shock and vibration, EMI and extended temperature ranges. Multiple configuration options provide SFP+, SFP, RJ45 and M12 connectors, enabling the Kontron 10 Gigabit Ethernet Rackmount Switch CP6930-RM for use in different markets, from industrial environments up to military and aerospace applications. Based on the Kontron 10 Gigabit Ethernet CompactPCI Switch CP6930, the Kontron CP6930-RM provides a ready-to-run rack mounted unit including redundant AC or DC power options. The non-blocking, fully managed L2/L3 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch provides up to six ports 10GbE and up to 26 ports 1GbE. Up to six 10GbE ports are directly accessible on the front via SFP+, plus 2 1GbE ports over SFP. A second variant, the Kontron CP6930-RM-24, is pre-configured with Front Interface Modules for additional 12 1GbE ports over RJ45.
www.kontron.com The Kontron CP6930-RM
www.telsis.com
A tablet made for South Africans South African developer Wise Tablets has released a new range of tablets that will cater specifically for the country’s consumer and educational needs. The Wise Touch 1 is a low-cost tablet designed especially with the average South African in mind.It ships with an array of applications that have been developed and pre-loaded on behalf of around 115 South African brands, and also features numerous educational programmes. The economical 10-inch Wise Touch runs on Android version 2.2. The seven-inch 3G tablet and the entrylevel seven-inch wi-fi version will come with Android version 2.3. The company has also added an eightinch version, which is said to be a perfect size for handling, reading and web browsing. All tablets have a capacitative touch screen, a standard 3.5mm earphone jack, and a mini HDMI and USB port. Although on-board memory is modest, it can be expanded up to 32GB with a micro-SD card. Giving local retailers a tablet presence According to Wise Tablets MD Gian Shipton, the Wise Touch was developed to provide South Africans with a tablet that would allow them to shop at local retailers from their own homes. “Most South African companies have a good web presence but have not migrated to tablets. Now the Wise Touch gives them a platform to be active on the tablet,” said Shipton. “These are brands people relate to.” Though the tablets are manufactured in China – as is
36 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
the Apple iPad – Shipton said they are made according to strict specifications and standards.
The Wise Touch tablet has been developed especially for South African consumers, businesses and educational institutions Different from the iPad and Galaxy Wise Touch applications fall into one of three categories, namely the Wise Shopping Mall, Wise Business Park and Wise Education Centre. The Wise Shopping Mall allows users to shop for groceries, take-aways, movies, toys and books, do their banking, and access newspapers and magazines. Shipton said that companies in developed countries and elsewhere in Africa are already expressing interest in the Wise Shopping Mall concept. The Wise Business Park caters for non-retail enterprises such as airlines, broadcasters, media houses, insurance companies, law firms, and property agents. For a company to be included on the list of applications, Shipton said they would have to be nationally recognised and own a well-known brand.
Apart from the applications, which include the standard offerings for social media, multimedia and entertainment, Shipton has said that Wise Tablets’ other drawcard is a full local support service. Walk-in repair centres will also be opening soon, while sortware updates will be freely available. Another tool added to the tablet is the omnibus communicator, a free application that allows companies to communicate with customers directly. Tablets for education The Wise Education Centre is designed for schools that could use the tablet as a teaching tool. Shipton mentioned that 50 per cent of the Wise Touch strategy is to bring the tablet to the education sector. Wise Tablets have created a specific module that allows pupils to view documents, flash videos and load any other media. The company already has access to most of the public school syllabus and some university content, all of which will be provided to pupils and students for free. However, the content can only be used on the Wise Tablet because of encryption and digital rights management issues with content owners. Shipton said the company is working with the University of Johannesburg, Wits University, the University of Pretoria and 40 private schools in distributing the tablets and its content.
www.wisetablets.co.za
S10 CAF 1 2012 Equipment 2_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:20 Page 37
EQUIPMENT
Alcatel-Lucent relie les réseaux de communication et le cloud LA NOUVELLE SOLUTION de cloud d’opérateur CloudBand introduit la haute performance, la sécurité et la fiabilité des réseaux de communication sur le marché des services cloud Alcatel-Lucent a présenté une nouvelle solution baptisée CloudBand qui marie la puissance de calcul et la flexibilité du cloud avec la haute performance, la fiabilité et la sécurité des réseaux de communication. La solution CloudBand forme le socle d’une nouvelle catégorie de services « carrier cloud » (cloud d’opérateur) qui permet aux fournisseurs de services de communication d’exploiter les avantages du cloud dans leurs propres réseaux et activités, et les place en position de force pour proposer une nouvelle palette de services cloud à haute performance aux entreprises et au grand public. Le modèle de cloud public a métamorphosé l’accès aux applications ainsi que l’utilisation de la puissance de calcul et du stockage de données. Il est aujourd’hui possible d’accéder à la demande aux applications et aux données dans des centres de traitement de données, en passant par l’Internet. Certains services requièrent toutefois des niveaux de qualité et de performance que le cloud public ne peut leur offrir. Une récente enquête réalisée par Alcatel-Lucent auprès d’environ 3500 décideurs IT révèle que leur principale préoccupation en matière de cloud est de loin la performance, suivie par la sécurité. CloudBand leur apporte une solution en s’appuyant sur la puissance propre aux fournisseurs de services de communication pour créer des services cloud de « classe professionnelle » délivrés par l’intermédiaire de réseaux de communication à haute performance, fiables et sécurisés. Ce nouveau niveau de service offre une plus faible latence, une meilleure maîtrise de la bande passante et la possibilité de garantir la qualité des services, qui sont autant de caractéristiques indispensables pour satisfaire aux exigences de performance très strictes du grand public et des entreprises. CloudBand se compose de deux éléments distincts : leSystème de gestion CloudBand (CloudBand Management System) qui assure l’orchestration et l’optimisation des services entre le réseau de communication et le cloud ; et leNœud CloudBand (CloudBand Node) qui fournit ce qui est nécessaire à l’hébergement d’une large palette de services cloud, à savoir le matériel informatique, de stockage et de réseau, ainsi que le logiciel qui l’accompagne. CloudBand sera disponible au cours du premier semestre 2012. Construction du carrier cloud Grâce à la solution CloudBand, les fournisseurs
de services de communication seront en mesure de fournir des services de réseau à partir du cloud. En adoptant un modèle de prestation basé sur le cloud, ils pourront commercialiser et distribuer rapidement de nouveaux services à leurs clients, avec une meilleure qualité de service et pour un coût moins élevé. L’utilisation de CloudBand donne aux fournisseurs de services la possibilité de « virtualiser » de nombreux éléments critiques de leurs réseaux en les transformant en logiciels ; ces derniers fonctionnent dans le cloud et sont accessibles, à la demande, suivant l’évolution des besoins des clients. Plutôt que d’installer des équipements dédiés pour chaque service de communication (SMS, vidéo…), les fournisseurs peuvent au contraire faire face à la demande en utilisant le carrier cloud. Avec cette approche, ils disposent d’une formidable « élasticité », ce qui veut dire qu’ils peuvent très vite développer ou réduire des éléments particuliers de leur mix de services pour s’adapter à la demande du marché. Cela signifie également qu’ils peuvent tester de nouveaux services sans investissement massif et qu’il est donc plus beaucoup plus facile de démarrer petit et de croître avec les besoins. Dans la réalisation du carrier cloud, le plus difficile est de rassembler les équipements de calcul et des réseaux de communications. Dotée d’algorithmes avancés développés par les Bell Labs, la solution CloudBand orchestre les éléments de réseau, de calcul et de stockage de données qui sont dispersés à travers le réseau. Cette démarche crée une plateforme de calcul et de distribution de services unique, flexible et extrêmement puissante, et l e
fournisseur n’a donc plus besoin de matériels dédiés pour chacun de ses services. Autre chose importante, cette capacité d’orchestration peut s’étendre au-delà du réseau du fournisseur de services pour gérer l’accès à toute une palette de clouds publics et privés. Adolfo Hernandez, président du groupe Logiciels, Services et Solutions d’AlcatelLucent, a déclaré : « Notre étude nous a appris que la performance était la plus grande préoccupation des décideurs IT. Nous savons également qu’ils pensent que les fournisseurs de services de communication sont les mieux placés pour leur procurer la qualité et la sécurité qu’ils souhaitent, ce qui en fait les fournisseurs cloud de choix dans le monde des entreprises. » Et il a ajouté : « Le réseau fait le cloud et les fournisseurs de services de communication sont les propriétaires des réseaux. Il s’agit d’une combinaison extrêmement puissante. »
www.alcatel-lucent.com
Adolfo Hernandez, président du groupe Logiciels, Services et Solutions d’Alcatel-Lucent
Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
37
S10 CAF 1 2012 Equipment 2_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:20 Page 38
EQUIPMENT
Orange Money atteint 3 millions de clients et prévoit d’étoffer son offre grâce à une coopération avec Western Union DE FRANCHIR LA barre des 3 millions de clients sur les huit pays où l’offre est désormais proposée, devenant ainsi un des services de monnaie électronique les plus puissants en Afrique. Depuis un an, Orange Money a triplé sa base de clients et poursuit son essor avec deux nouvelles implantations récentes : au Botswana, en partenariat avec la Standard Chartered Bank, et au Cameroun en partenariat avec la BICEC (groupe BPCE). Orange Money est un service de paiement mobile qui a été spécialement conçu pour répondre aux besoins des clients d’Afrique et du Moyen-Orient. Il offre un énorme potentiel dans ces pays, où moins de 10 % de la population en Afrique sub-saharienne dispose d’un compte bancaire, alors que plus de 60 % des habitants sont équipés d’un téléphone mobile. Dans les pays où le service est disponible, les clients mobiles peuvent gratuitement ouvrir un compte sans avoir besoin de posséder un compte bancaire. Il permet aux clients de réaliser des opérations et des transactions bancaires courantes en toute sécurité. Orange offre trois services principaux :
ADVERTISERS INDEX
Orange compte prochainement étendre l'offre Orange Money en proposant à ses clients la possibilité de recevoir des transferts internationaux. A cet effet, Orange et Western Union se sont associés pour développer ce nouveau service, qui permettra aux clients Orange Money de recevoir dans leur mobile des transferts envoyés via le réseau mondial de Western Union. Les fonds ainsi reçus seront disponibles immédiatement. Selon la Banque Mondiale, les pays de la zone Afrique, Moyen-Orient et l’Asie (AMEA) où
Company ............................ page AAE Systems Inc. ......................33
ORGANISATION
.....................................................................
POSITION
................................................................. ...........................................................
POSTAL ADDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................ ............................................................................
ArabSat ....................................22
COUNTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
..................................................
TELEPHONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asia Broadcast Satellite ............11
FAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EMAIL
Comtech EF Data Corp................5 Falcon Electronics (Pty) Ltd ......19
.....................................................................
GL Communications..................13 GSMA ........................................21 Harmonic ..................................35
Please tick the most relevant box(es) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN YOUR ORGANISATION: 03 100 - 249 04 250 - 499 02 50 - 99 01 1 - 49
YOUR BUSINESS (Please tick one only): 05
......................
17
Communication service providers
18
PTT/telephone organisation
19
Network operator
20
Broadcast (TV, radio)
21
Government telecoms ministry
22
Communication equipment manufacturer/ supplier
23
Communication service users
04
Industry
06
Financial services/banking
24
Defence
10
Transportation (airlines, railways etc)
Over 500
JOB TITLE/FUNCTION: 01 Corporate Management: Chairman, President, Managing Director, Director General, Chief Executive, Owner. 02 Government Executive: Minister, Government Official, Ambassador, Attache, Permanent Secretary, etc. 03 General Management: Commercial, Departmental Operations, Communications, Information, Financial, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, etc. 04 Technical Management: Engineering, Research and Development, Planning, Maintenance. 05 Other: Please Specify: YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN YOUR ORGANISATION COMMUNICATION POLICY (Please tick all that apply): Do you:
SIGN HERE IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE REGULAR COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS AFRICA (SUBJECT TO QUALIFICATION) SIGNATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DATE
Gateway Communications ......39
Issue 1 2012
I wish to subscribe to COMMUNICATIONS AFRICA for 1 year (6 issues) starting with the next issue NAME
Amos Spacecom ........................7
opère le Groupe reçoivent chaque année plus de 25 milliards de transferts. « Western Union est pionnière dans le transfert international d’argent à des utilisateurs de mobiles partout dans le monde, a déclaré Gregg Marshall, Directeur des Services Mobiles Monde de Western Union. Nous développons une large gamme de services de transfert qui permettent au destinataire de recevoir de l’argent. En collaborant avec Orange, l’un des plus grands opérateurs mondiaux, nous allons progressivement permettre aux clients d’Orange Money, qui représentent pour nous un nouveau segment de marché, de recevoir de l’argent directement sur leur mobile. » Marc Rennard, Directeur exécutif d’Orange en charge des pays de la zone AMEA, a déclaré : « Orange Money est une composante très importante de notre développement de nos activités sur les marchés émergents. Les services de paiement mobiles offrent en effet des services bancaires économiques et sécurisés à des populations à faibles revenus, qui vivent souvent dans des régions rurales ou difficiles d’accès. »
• Le transfert d’argent, qui permet aux utilisateurs d’envoyer de l’argent électronique à n’importe quel client Orange mobile dans le pays. • Le paiement qui permet aux utilisateurs de régler plus facilement leurs factures d’électricité, d’eau, de télévision ou de téléphone ; et d’acheter facilement des minutes de communication. • Les services financiers, qui comprennent par exemple des solutions d’épargne ou d’assurance.
01
Initiate/plan communication strategy
02
Evaluate/select suppliers
01
Government departments (not telecoms ministry)
03
Authorise purchase of equipment or services
16
Other, please specify
..............................
Other readers who do not meet our terms of condition and who are not in Africa may subscribe at the following rates: 1 year US$124, £63, m93, N3500, KSH2200, R228 2 years US$211, £107, m158 3 years US$280, £142, m210 I enclose a cheque for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .payable to “Alain Charles Publishing Ltd” together with this form. Please invoice me/my company.
Please charge to my credit card Amex Visa Mastercard (Please note that we will debit your account in sterling).
Expiry date:
/
Security code:
Signature
..................................................................................
Intelsat ........................................9 Edition 1 2012
Je voudrais m'abonner à Communications Afrique depuis une année (six numéros), commencement avec le prochain exemplaire
K-Net Ltd. ..................................15 Milano Teleport S.p.A. ..............17 Nokia Siemens Networks ........40 Radio Network Solutions..........14 Space Stream ............................12 Spectrum Communications ................26, 28 Telmar Network Technology ....25 WIOCC ........................................2
NOM
....................................................................
VOTRE ACTIME: (ne cochez qu’uneseule résponse)
Veuillez cocher la boîte le plus appropriée
PROFESSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOMBRE D'EMPLOYES DANS VOTRE SOCIETE: 03 100 - 249 02 50 - 99 01 1 - 49 SOCIÉTÉ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
04
250 - 499
05
500+
ADRESSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . POSTE/FONCTIONS: 01 Direction d'entreprise: Président, Directeur, Directeur Général, Patron, Propriétaire, ......................................................................... etc. 02 ......................................................................... Cadre gouvernemental: Ministre, Fonctionnaire, Ambassadeur, Attaché, PAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03 Secrétaire Permanent, etc. Direction générale: Commercial, Gestion du Départemental, Communications, TÉLÉPHONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Informations, Franciers, Achats, Ventes, Marketing etc. FAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04 Direction technique: Ingénierie, Recherche et Développement, Planning, Entretien. 05 EMAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Autre: merci de préciser: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SIGNEZ ICI SI VOUS VOULEZ RECEVOIR UN EXEMPLAIRE DE COMMUNICATIONS AFRIQUE RÉGULIÈREMENT (À CONDITION DE QUALIFAICATION) SIGNATURE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VOTRE IMPLICATION DANS LA POLITIQUE DE COMMUNICATION DE VOTRESOCIETE: (Cochez les cases appropriees): Est-ce que vous 01
Inaugurez/concevoyez une stratégie de communication 02 Evaluez/choisissez des fabricants 03 Autorisez l'achat d'équipement ou de services
Les lecteurs qui ne correspondent pas aux modalités peuvent abbonner aux prix suivants: 1 an US$124, £63, m93, N3500, KSH2200, R228 2 années US$211, £107, m158
17
Fournisseurs de services de communication
18
PTT/opérateur téléphonique
19
Opérateur de réseau
20
Emission (TV, radio)
21
Ministre des télécommunications
22
Fabricant/fournisseur d'équipements de communication/fournisseurs en informatique
23
Utilisateurs de services de communication
04
Industrie
06
Services financiers/banque
24
Défense
10
Transports (compagnies aériennes, compagnie des chemins de fer, etc.)
01
Services gouvernementaux (pas Ministre des télécommunications)
16
Autre: merci de préciser
3 années US$280, £142, m210
Veuillez trouver ci-joint un chèque/traite pour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . payable à “Alain Charles Publishing Ltd” avec ce formulaire. Veuillez me/ma société facturer.
Date d'expiration: / Code de sécurité: Signature Veuillez faire payer par Amex Visa Mastercard (Veuillez noter que nous debiterons votre compte en sterling).
38 Communications Africa Issue 1 2012
.....................................................................................................
S10 CAF 1 2012 Equipment 2_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:20 Page 39
S10 CAF 1 2012 Equipment 2_Layout 1 13/02/2012 17:20 Page 40