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Uganda Telecom and Rwandatel purchase SEACOM capacity
Submitted by Team Seacom on Tue, 2009/08/25 - 08:09Uganda Telecom Ltd (UTL) and Rwandatel S.A. (RTL) have announced a major partnership that further extends the reach of international broadband capacity across eastern Africa. Through concurrent deals, UTL and RTL, both subsidiaries of the Libyan Africa Portfolio LAP Green Networks, have purchased a significant amount of international broadband capacity from SEACOM whilst SEACOM has in turn secured a backhaul solution for Rwanda on the two regional players’ terrestrial networks between Kampala, Uganda and Kigali, Rwanda. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, both entities will have immediate access to the SEACOM network.
Whilst Uganda has been connected to the SEACOM network since its commercial launch on 23 July 2009, this agreement means that Rwanda will benefit from the newly available broadband capacity as soon as September 2009. This development is in line with SEACOM’s objective to provide connectivity solutions to landlocked countries across the east and southern African region.
Commenting on the partnership, Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO, said: “From the outset of this project, we realised the importance of connecting inland countries to our international network and today’s agreement is testimony of our commitment in that regard. Many countries set out to deploy massive terrestrial networks in anticipation of the arrival of real and affordable international bandwidth connectivity. With more and more countries getting connected to the rest of the world via our system, we are eagerly awaiting to see the direct socio-economic benefits this will have on the entire region.”
SEACOM has realised the importance of ensuring that Kigali and the greater Rwanda were connected as soon as possible to the international global network. Seacom’s purchase of the UTL and RTL’s backhaul solution guarantees that Rwanda will be connected immediately.
“LAP Green Networks has always had a strong focus on international data connectivity and this is an approach shared by Uganda Telecom and other regional players looking to achieve first mover advantage in their respective markets. The capacity purchase by Uganda Telecom on the SEACOM network will dramatically modify the local Internet market and we look forward to a new era of true broadband across the region,” commented Eng. AbdulBaset Elazzabi, MD of LAP Green Networks and Uganda Telecom Ltd.
LAP Green Networks is a telecommunications operator owned by Libyan African Investment Portfolio and specialising in the acquisition and management of telecommunications networks across Africa. LAP Green Networks’ representatives for this deal were Ghadfi Mohamed, Chief Technical Officer and Donald Nyakairu, Chief Legal Counsel. Other than UTL and RTL, current investments include Sonitel Niger, Sahel Com Niger and Oricel Green Cote D'Ivoire.
Patrick Kariningufu, CEO of Rwandatel S.A., concluded: “In line with our strategy to extend connectivity to the population, and in anticipation of the arrival of affordable international bandwidth, Rwandatel took major steps in developing its infrastructure. We are excited about our deal with SEACOM and look forward to delivering affordable broadband to our customers.”
Related media:
Seacom members showcase the connectivity in Uganda to Ministers of State ICT
- Team Seacom's blog
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Wish I have the luxury of time to consider using the benefits these site can offer.....
The telecom story in East Africa is really one that is emerging to become one that holds immense promise for the entire region. I foresee that in a few years there would be a number of good mobile broadband providers in that region further enhancing the services that mobile users can avail.
Thanks for this wonderful story.
David.
Under the terms of the partnership agreement, both entities have immediate access to the Seacom network. Uganda has been connected to the Seacom network since the cable’s commercial launch on July 23, but the agreement meant that Rwanda would benefit from the newly available broadband capacity by September. From the outset of this project, Seacom realized the importance of connecting inland countries to their international network and the agreement is testimony of their commitment in that regard.
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The newly available broadband capacity by September. From the outset of this project, Seacom realized the importance of connecting inland countries to their international network and the agreement is testimony of their commitment in that regard. Grow taller
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According to the agreement after a full connection to the submarine cable, Rwandatel's internet subscriber base is expected to increase by 10% in the first year. After signing a contract in August last year, UTL and Rwandatel also agreed to purchase an additional 155Mbps of capacity from the SEACOM submarine cable. || Web content management systems
Uganda has been connected to the SEACOM network system since its commercial launch on 23rd July 2009, this agreement means that Rwanda will get benefit from the recently available broadband capacity as soon as September 2009.
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Nice post tnx..
It's glad to hear that. Wish that people can have a high speed access.
Seacom’s subsea cable has multiple layers of armoring. The amount of armor depends on the depth of water, and conditions of the ocean floor in the area where the cable is situated, and other local hazards of the region. The Seacom cable is deployed with a mixture of Double Armor Cable, Single Armor Cable, Special Protection Cable (with a metallic wrap below the insulator, rather than steel wires), and, in deep waters.
The SEACOM cable is deployed with a mixture of Double Armor Cable, Single Armor Cable, Special Protection Cable (with a metallic wrap below the insulator, rather than steel wires), and, in deep waters.
It's good to know SEACOM has seen Uganda's telecommunication needs.
The approach shared by Uganda Telecom and other regional players looking to achieve first mover advantage in their respective markets. The capacity purchase by Uganda Telecom on the SEACOM network will dramatically modify the local Internet market and we look forward to a new era of true broadband across the region. Thank you.
The capacity purchase by Uganda Telecom on the SEACOM network will dramatically modify the local Internet market and we look forward to a new era of true broadband across the region.
Hi, Yes you all are right with the change in telecommunications and the broadband market in East Africa, Uganda and Rwanda are pushing up their advantage by linking to the SEACOM cable. Broadband access is one of SEACOM's main hope for Africa.
Many countries set out to deploy massive terrestrial networks in anticipation of the arrival of real and affordable international bandwidth connectivity. Thanks a lot.
More and more countries are getting connected to the rest of the world via our system, we are eagerly awaiting to see the direct socio-economic benefits this will have on the entire region.
I thought Seacom wanted to be a standalone company. I guess these tough times made them change their mind.
Lilia Gephardt
Hi Lilia,
SEACOM is a standalone company who has agreements with terrestrial backhaul suppliers, to supplier the broadband on the cable to countries and cities not on the coast of East Africa.
Thanks
Hello and thanks for the fast reply. sorry for the mix up. I guess I must have been thinking of something else and confused it with Seacom.
Lilia Gephardt
This partnership between Uganda Telecom Ltd (UTL) and Rwandatel S.A. (RTL) should do a world of good to broadband users in Africa.
Its great news as this will eventually make the service cheaper as well so you don't need to subscribe. Broadband is so vital to my business I look forward to the merger.