INTERNET
By Semaj Itosno, Nairobi, Kenya
Leading Corporate Internet and IT Solutions provider AccessKenya Group aims to capitalise on the growing demand for bandwidth with its latest network optimisation.
AccessKenya Group Network Manager Cyril Oluoch says the drive is aimed at delivering faster internet speeds to customers over the next twelve months.
The process, which began late December 2012, involves the conversion of all wireless Base Stations (BTS) to fibre optic cable links and is expected to yield more bandwidth capacity by over 80 percent.
“The upgrade is part of the larger plan to bolster internet connectivity over vast regions and deliver versatile Wide Area Network (WAN) solutions whose demand has been on the increase among the company’s corporate clientele,” said Oluoch.
“The conversion will enable us achieve up to 1 Gigabit bandwidth, up from the maximum 200Mbps delivered on wireless backhauls,” he said.
According to Oluoch, the move will also see AccessKenya cap licensing related costs by over 50 percent and allow for greater profit margins on the back of reduced operational expenses.
Last year, the AccessKenya Group spent over Sh37 Million in licence fees – a cost the company notes is impeding to growth. So far, about 20 Base Stations in areas including Nairobi’s Kasarani, Lavington and Lower Kabete have been converted to fibre optic links since the launch of the drive that is targeting to convert tens of BTS’ serving AccessKenya clients in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and other major towns in the country.
