In this video interview, Balos talks in depth about the integration of Nortel’s carrier Voice over IP business, which Genband acquired earlier this year. Balos also talks about the data explosion and its effect on network development requirements for softswitches and media gateways and the increasing growth of IP to IP connectivity, convergence technologies, and the slow migration to IMS.

Genband recently launched a global all IP platform based on ATCA, known as “Genius” and also supports Verizon’s FiOS fibre broadband offering.

Sponsored by Genband

Verizon Business customers now can access Private IP network capabilities in Tanzania and Kenya in Africa’s eastern region; Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Cameroon on the western coast; and Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa in the central and southern regions. Other countries to be added to the Private-IP Gateway interconnection arrangement are Uganda, Lesotho, Angola and Zambia.

Gateway to bridge last mile in Nigeria

Pan-African network services firm Gateway Communications said Monday it is deploying a point to multipoint microwave network that will deliver last mile broadband connections across Nigeria.

In partnership with microwave infrastructure supplier Cambridge Broadband Networks, which will provide 130 hubs and 5000 terminal stations, Gateway is building an MPLS network that will cover every major African city.

The firm recently acquired 10.5GHz spectrum licences for point to multipoint services in Nigeria, and said it will roll out wireless broadband across ten Nigerian states in 2010, with Port Harcourt and Abuja scheduled to go live in March. It is anticipated that a further 26 states will go live through 2011.

Gateway moves in on Kenya

Pan-African network services firm Gateway Communications has scored three new licenses in Kenya, allowing it to build infrastructure in the country.

This week the Communications Commission of Kenya awarded the firm a Network Facilities Provider (NFP) Tier 2 Licence, an Application Services Provider (ASP) licence and a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) licence.

In a nutshell this means that the firm can build infrastructure in Kenya and deliver telecommunications services to end users.

Gateway will now install its own satellite teleports in Kenya as well as two terrestrial teleports in Nairobi.

“Kenya has always been considered the hub of East Africa, which means a lot of multinationals are headquartered in Nairobi, but require reliable communications up and down the East Coast,” said Silvio do Carmo, managing director for Gateway East Africa. “Gateway can now provide direct connectivity for businesses from Kenya to South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, as well as Europe and the US, with our MPLS network.”

South African operator Vodacom said Friday it has agreed to acquire most of the assets of pan-African carrier services and satellite firm Gateway Telecommunications.

Vodacom, which is a 50/50 joint venture between Vodafone and local carrier Telkom, is to pay approximately $675m for the firm. The broadcasting businesses held by Gateway are not part of the transaction.

The South African mobile operator said the deal would boost Vodacom’s presence in Africa, especially fast growing Nigeria, and pave the way for future expansion. Gateway’s blue chip customer base would also give opportunity to the marketing of converged fixed and mobile offerings across Africa, Vodacom said.

Pieter Uys, CEO of Vodacom, said: “The acquisition of Gateway reflects Vodacom’s strategy to reposition itself as a leading pan-African provider of communications services and to diversify from its current status as primarily a mobile-centric network operator. We believe that Gateway’s significant presence across Africa will allow Vodacom to tap into the huge potential for growth in business services and connectivity and will enhance our position with multinational corporations.”

The move could also give Vodafone a better foothold in Africa, should it ever see its desire to control Vodacom fulfilled. The UK company has long been seeking to take over the South African JV and has come close on occasion, although talks with Telkom always seem to break down.

However, Nigerian business tycoon Mike Adenuga, may have played a wildcard. Local reports on Friday claim that Adenuga, who owns Nigerian mobile operator Globacom, has proposed a merger with Telkom’s 50 per cent stake in Vodacom.

If the deal were to take place, it would be something of a double edged sword, blocking Vodafone’s chances of taking over Vodacom, but giving the UK firm a bigger African partner in the shape of Globacom, with a strong foothold in Nigeria.