Telecoms giant Orange has partnered with Smart Africa to enhance digital information and communication traffic in the African continent.
In support of Africa’s digital agenda, Orange has announced the creation of two new international voice points of presence (PoP) in Lagos, Nigeria, as well as the hosting of roaming data for African customers at a data clearinghouse in Africa.
Orange aims to facilitate voice traffic between regions in Africa, with the creation of two new Voice Tier-1 Points of Presence (PoP). Through these PoPs, Orange offers a diverse range of services to all African mobile operators, allowing the routing of traffic across Africa.
The company says, the new POPs and IP points of presence will combine with the POPs of its 17 subsidiaries to provide local solutions to African operators for all voice, data and roaming services.
“We value Orange’s commitment to strengthen Africa’s capacity to manage and retain her own data,” said Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa. “This is important for ensuring universal access through cost savings and data sovereignty, which is a hallmark of our data policy.”
Orange is also working to expand internet data network coverage thanks to IP and IPX Tier-1 Points of Presence (PoP) deployment plan in Africa. Orange has announced the creation of a new IP PoP in Accra in Ghana.
To supplement this approach, from January 2021, Orange customer roaming traffic between operators in Africa will be hosted by a clearing house located in a data centre in Africa.
Orange is a platinum member of the Smart Africa Alliance and supports the One Africa Network (OAN) project also backed by Smart Africa. The project seeks to reduce the cost of communication and keep the traffic generated from and within the African continent.