Gateway Communication is preparing for the next wave of liberalisation and convergence by upgrading its national and international network to multi-protocol label switching (MPLS).
Considered to be the technology of choice for next-generation converged networks, the adoption of MPLS by Gateway has been expedited through a strategic partnership with the MTN Group, allowing Gateway to use MTN`s technology and facilities as well as its points of presence (PoPs).
Gateway`s MD, Mike van den Bergh, says the co-location of services at MTN and the use of their facilities and infrastructure has meant speedier adoption of MPLS and significant cost savings, while the association has also opened up new options for mobile data services.
"The key advantage of this technology is that we are able to allocate bandwidth and prioritise business critical traffic according to our customers requirements," says van den Bergh.
"While technologies such as Frame Relay provide quality of service, MPLS goes one step further by enabling us to offer differentiated classes of service, best suited to each client`s needs."
He says that the company`s multi-national clients, in particular, require the provision of predictable and reliable classes of service for mission critical applications, and better overall utilisation of network resources.
"In line with the draft Convergence Bill, MPLS also makes our network ready for voice traffic, once regulations permit. It allows us to tag voice as high priority, meaning that quality will not be lost," he says.
"MPLS also provides for a converged multi-service network, integrating the disparate worlds of Frame Relay, ATM and IP while allowing for voice, video and data services across a common backbone network."
He says that progressive telco operators the world over are migrating to this technology, and that Gateway has already begun its own migration in South Africa, with the SADC region to follow, expanding throughout its operations on the African continent.
The migration to the new system is expected to be seamless and should be completed by June 2004.
A new hosting facility will also be available, which will offer access to both Telkom and the second national operator (SNO) - once it is operational - essentially offering clients a neutral tele-housing facility.
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