Regional Interconnection: Presenting the Business Case for African Operators Densu Richard Ag. Executive, MTN Business rdensu@mtn.com.gh
Content About MTN/MTN Business The Benefits of Regional Interconnection The Challenges MTN s Role National Connectivity Regional Connectivity International Connectivity Data Centres Local Content Provision 2
About MTN Launched in 1994, MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications provider, with core operations in 21 Africa and the Middle East and with over 150Million subs MTN Ghana is the biggest operator with more than 50% market share in Ghana We operate in the following areas: South and East Africa (SEA): South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana West and Central Africa (WECA): Nigeria, Cameroun, Congo Brazzaville, Cote d Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Iran, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Sudan, Syria, Yemen MTN Business is a new unit of MTN dedicated to the provision of ICT services to the business community. It also manages the infrastructure leasing to ISPs and Telcos 3
Any Benefit? 1) Brings significant cost savings to users and operators 2) Allows for the aggregation of intra-regional traffic enabling ISPs to negotiate better transit prices Localization of international content with providers 3) Enhances quality of services offered across the regions improves access speeds and latency 4) Enhances local content and service development 5) Improves Regional Business level activity Enables extension of ISP business across the region 6) Smaller ISPs will find room to operate 4
Internet exchange (IXP) Points in Africa Source:http://nsrc.org/AFRICA/ixp/ 5
Regional Interconnectivity Challenges Regulatory issues Unreliable telecom infrastructure at regional and national levels Lack of cooperation between service providers Little motivation low traffic exchange between regional and local ISPs. 6
National Connectivity Microwave & Fiber Networks 7
MTN 2G & 3G National Coverage 8
National Fiber and Microwave Networks Accra/Tema Metro Network 9
National Fiber and Microwave Networks Takoradi Metro Network 10
National Fiber and Microwave Networks Kumasi Metro Network 11
Regional Connectivity West Africa Connectivity Ongoing 12
International Connectivity WACS Route Plan and Landing The WACS submarine cable links Southern Africa and Europe, spanning the west coast of Africa and terminating in London, United Kingdom. This cable system is the biggest to ever land on the African continent. The WACS submarine cable spans more than 14,000km in length and has 15 terminal stations which anchor along the western coast of Africa, including countries where MTN has operations such as Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast. 13
International Connectivity WACS Parties An example of the Power of Cooperation The WACS Parties 6.3% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 11.4% Angola Cables C&W Infraco 9.5% 9.5% 11.4% 11.4% MTN Vodacom / Vodafone Telkom SA 9.5% 10.0% 11.4% Namibia Telecom Tata Telecommunication Portugal Telecom OCPT (DRC) Congo Telecom Togo Telecom 14
International Fiber Connectivity WACS and Other MTN Investment 15
International Connectivity We are committed MTN is committed to provision of world class services in Africa and beyond MTN is a major investor in submarine cables and believes they will add value to efforts to reduce international broadband costs As an African company with roots firmly anchored in Africa, MTN s investment in WACS and similar submarine cables bears testimony to the company s commitment to provide affordable broadband access to its subscribers. The submarine Cable landed in Ghana on 13 th of May at South La. The cable is expected to be available for commercial use early in the first quarter of 2012 16
MTN s Role Datacenter Co location Services Three (3) World Class Data Centers located at three different locations in Ghana 17
MTN s Role Local Content Development and Services Hosted Platforms and Services e.g. Email/Domain Development of Content hosting platform e.g.. MTN Play 18
MTN s Role Support for GISPA Initiatives Member of GISPA Provision of bandwidth to the Google Cache Server. Linked to the Ghana IX 19
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