Airtel to use AccessKenya backhaul network
TELECOMS
| Aug. 18, 2011, 12:37 p.m.
Kenyan data and infrastructure provider AccessKenya Group and mobile telephony giant Airtel Kenya have signed a contract that grants Airtel access to AccessKenya’s extensive fibre optic network to provide connectivity services for Airtel’s fixed line voice services, also known as E1.
In terms of the deal, Airtel Kenya will buy E1 circuits from AccessKenya’s fibre optic network in over 300 building sites in Nairobi and Mombasa to connect their customers.
By taking up the service, Airtel is now set to use AccessKenya’s extensive fibre presence to reach more customers, more buildings and to provide highly reliable services on AccessKenya’s network.
Airtel Kenya will gain access to AccessKenya network and strategically gain access to all new buildings the firm connects to fibre every month.
The company is currently connecting at least 10 new buildings to its fibre network every month. This is expected to significantly generate revenue for both companies as Airtel sells fixed voice services to new clients, while opening new wholesale revenue streams to AccessKenya.
The two companies acknowledged the need for getting into strategic partnerships to continuously provide superior and reliable services to Kenyans.
AccessKenya Group MD Jonathan Somen said: “Our goal remains to provide the most reliable, most consistent services in Kenya backed up with first class customer service. Given our record uptime of 99.93% last year on our fibre network, partnering with Airtel to provide top quality fixed line services will help both companies to further expand our market shares.”
“By forming a partnership with a leading and global brand such as Airtel, it reinforces our ability to deliver world class services to the Kenyan public.”
Somen said: “We have invested millions of shillings in building this capacity to provide backhaul services for mobile operators. This deal marks our first wholesale contract with a mobile operator and that further enhances our services and leverages our investment in infrastructure and primarily our outstanding fibre network.
In line with Airtel’s innovative nature, they are the first mobile operator to recognise the quality of our fibre infrastructure and use it to increase their competitiveness in the local market.”
Airtel Kenya Managing Director Rene Meza said: “This new partnership helps us strengthen our competitive position besides the quality delivery of our voice services through AccessKenya’s excellent fibre network to the delight of our customers in Nairobi and Mombasa.”
