Internet Solutions (IS), a leading converged communications service provider, is the first in-region company to be selected as a major partner for global giant Intelsat for the Pan-African region. IS is also announcing the launch of its ISat CorporateConnect service powered by Intelsat`s new GlobalConnexSM (GXS) Network Broadband.
Today, corporate networks are mission-critical to the success of corporations doing business in Africa. While reliability and availability are now an absolute necessity, providing high performance functionality has proved to be both costly and difficult, particularly in remote areas where infrastructure is often less than adequate. The ISat CorporateConnect service from IS overcomes these issues by enabling companies to securely extend their Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) VPN (virtual private network) via satellite to single or multiple sites anywhere in Africa.
Intelsat`s GlobalConnexSM (GXS) Network Broadband is a cost-effective, last-mile broadband solution designed to provide enterprises, government agencies, Internet cafes and other organisations with reliable, high-speed access to all IP-based applications, including corporate Internet/intranet access, voice over IP, video conferencing and virtual private networks.
IS is currently using Network Broadband to provide Internet and MPLS VPN networks to its customers in Africa.
"This is a smart business offering for us because the network infrastructure is managed by both IS and Intelsat, which enables us to provide a world-class service to end-users at an affordable cost, maximising Intelsat`s economies of scale," said Jacques Rautenbach, General Manager of Africa Services at Internet Solutions. "GXS Network Broadband delivers business value to our customers by giving them instant high-speed access to all their mission-critical IP applications, no matter where they`re located."
Ramu Potarazu, COO of Intelsat, stated: "With GXS Network Broadband, customers can manage networks across multiple satellites and regions, using just one hub, giving them an unparalleled ability to deploy enterprise-grade, fast, connectivity anywhere in the world, with extremely favourable cost. We are delighted to welcome IS as our first in-region channel partner as they share our commitment to bringing reliable, flexible and higher functionality communications services to businesses in Africa."
"With 40 years of trusted technical expertise and experience in the delivery of satellite-based communications solutions, Intelsat is a global giant in this space and helps service providers deliver information instantly, securely and reliably," says Rautenbach.
ISat CorporateConnect uses field-tested, state-of-the-art VSAT technology that provides a reliable 'one box` private network solution at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems. The satellite service has been designed to deliver high network availability, irrespective of prevailing weather conditions. Scalability and flexibility have also been built into the system. ISat CorporateConnect is based on "pure" IP design. This enables enterprises to not only meet their current infrastructure needs but to easily integrate new applications, regardless of type, whenever they need to.
Value-added service features include:
* Real-time network monitoring
* Bandwidth management
* Bandwidth usage graphing
* Granular statistics
* MPLS VPN
* Four classes of service to choose from
* IS fax services
* Comprehensive SLAs
ISat CorporateConnect is available immediately from IS.
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Internet Solutions (IS) has transformed its business model and become a leading converged communications service provider.
The business was founded on the principle of developing a robust infrastructure in order for corporates to conduct e-business. Over the past decade, IS has established itself as a leader in this space, attracting over 80% of SA`s top businesses as clients.
During its 100year life span, IS has evolved and grown its service offerings. Today, the company is the leading hosting service provider and security service provider in SA, as well as having significant market share in the VPN and application service provider space.
Internet Solutions has earned an impressive collection of accolades, including eight First National Bank "Most Admired" awards, two Financial Mail Best Company to Work For awards, a place in the Top Unlisted Company Awards and first place in the ISP category for ComputerWeek Strategist`s Best of Breed IT Awards, 2004.
The company partners with major players such as Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, BT and AT&T, and in 2002 was certified as a Cisco Managed Security Service Provider, the first and only company outside of the US to be awarded this accolade.
For more, visit www.is.co.za.
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