To ensure Telkom`s ongoing success, Comparex Africa, one of the major ICT integrators in Africa, will officially hand over to Telkom the successful ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) Telkom project it was awarded in 1998 (together with Newbridge, now Alcatel).
This, notes Zappi von Plato, regional executive for telecommunications at Comparex Africa, is in line with Telkom`s strategy of moving to a direct relationship with its suppliers once a technology becomes core to its business. ATM Express, Telkom`s digital transmission service for WANs (wide area networks), is an example of a strategic service offering. ATM Express is the backbone of `the data world` and today virtually the entire data traffic of all South African corporates runs across this network.
ATM Express provides a medium for Telkom`s corporate customers to transmit high volumes of virtually error-free information at high speeds (from 2Mbps up to 155Mbps) over their WANs with high quality and reliable connections. Optimisation of the infrastructure is one of the major benefits of ATM Telkom, which, in turn, translates into cost savings for Telkom.
Comparex Africa`s responsibilities over the four-year project included network design, supply, installation/commissioning and maintenance of all ATM equipment. To date, over 200 ATM broadband switches have been installed countrywide, valued at around R434 million, providing complete national coverage.
Von Plato pays tribute to all the Comparex Africa staff - around 45 at the height of the project - involved in project management, logistics, installation, administration, quality control, installation and technical support over the past four years. ATM Telkom was the first wide area broadband network in SA and also the largest in Africa.
"Not only have we gained and developed many competencies on the ATM Telkom project that are of great value to us, we have proved that we are capable of delivering carrier-grade infrastructure projects where service is critical," says Von Plato.
Telkom`s ATM Express has to run 24/7 and 365 days a year, thus the quality of workmanship is paramount. Quality of transmission is directly related to factors such as the quality of the cable, the quality of the connectors, and the screening of cable against interference from interference.
Comparex Africa, in line with Telkom`s black economic empowerment (BEE) and transformation programmes, sub-contracted the entire local content, ie cabinets, power units, data and voice cabling, as well as the import and shipping of foreign-supplied equipment valued at around R24 million to black-owned SMMEs and BEE companies.
"Where it was not possible to identify suitable BEE organisations for a particular activity, Comparex Africa implemented aggressive transformation programmes. This was particularly successful in the area of installation services where 70% of R31 million installation work was done by previously disadvantaged individuals. We are justifiably proud of our efforts; the numbers speak for themselves," he says.
Companies involved included Velocit-e, now part of the Namitech group, CableCom, RicRac and Sebenza. All of these companies provide products and services that comply with the most stringent international standards. The professionalism with which these companies conducted themselves and the quality of their workmanship has resulted in repeat business for them on other Telkom projects.
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