Dimension Data, a leading technology services provider, is in the process of upgrading its carrier ethernet network in Kenya at a cost of USD1million.
The upgrade being undertaken by Telco Systems, the leading provider of innovative SDN/NFV, CE 2.0, MPLS and IP solutions will see Dimension Data double its capacity carrier Ethernet network, boost the bandwidth and Internet service speeds for local businesses and home users twofold at a time when the demand for connectivity in Kenya has risen by 5.1 percent between April and June amid stay-at-home measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the latest industry report from the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) released earlier this month, subscriptions in the country increased to 40.9 million in the quarter ending June up from 38.9 million in the period ending March. The regulator attributed the rise to increased demand for access to information online, coupled with transfer of more services to the digital space during the pandemic period. Among those who pushed the rise in Internet subscriptions are students, who have switched to online learning.
According to the company, the network upgrade is expected to be completed early next year. Dimension Data provides advanced Cloud, communication, connectivity and carrier services to public and private sector organizations in Kenya and other countries in the region, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda.
“Our strategic partnership with Telco Systems, which spans over a decade and across multiple upgrades, is a key factor in the success of our network operations,” said Richard Hechle, Managing Director of Dimension Data, East and West Africa. “Telco Systems has consistently delivered networking innovations that we need to cost effectively expand our service offering, improve our customer experience and promote automated operations.”
Through this partnership, Telco Systems will deploy an additional several hundred units of its
T-Marc 3348 demarcation devices, which are compact, high capacity demarcation devices featuring high port density for cost effective carrier Ethernet service connectivity.
“We are pleased to build on our long standing relationship with Dimension Data in providing the continued expansion of the company’s network capacity and service offering,” stated Ariel Efrati, CEO at Telco Systems.
“This network upgrade project clearly demonstrates the importance of network expansions for delivering reliable connectivity in emerging markets and ensuring business continuity as the demand for bandwidth continues to rise,” added Efrati.
With SDN support for network configuration and modeling using NETCONF and YANG, the newly deployed T-Marc 3348 devices will enable Dimension Data to further its vision of enhancing customer experience through business automation.
