Grintek Telecom has partnered with Clarent, a leading international provider of voice solutions and next generation networks, in a joint initiative with Telkom to establish a Clarent-based voice-over-IP (VOIP) clearinghouse to service the African telecom market.
Says Delio Senatore, general manager, telecom networks, at Grintek Telecom: "The partnership between Grintek and Clarent has enabled us to take the lead in providing carrier-class VOIP solutions for Africa. Telkom has already deployed an extensive VOIP infrastructure using Clarent soft switches and gateways. The clearinghouse will allow the service provider to act as a broker between other service providers on the continent, for interconnection, handling settlements, billing and administration. It essentially allows the various VOIP networks to connect to each other to create an instant global footprint for local network operators."
According to Roger Chiume, Telkom's executive for international carrier business, the clearinghouse was set up in a matter of weeks in order to introduce a range of Telkom IP-based products and services, global access and reach as well as to implement a reduction in transit and termination rates, with a view to increasing Telkom's market share in the pan-African region.
According to Yves Desmet, vice-president, OEM and distribution Sales EMEA for Clarent, Grintek Telecom was the ideal partner for this venture.
"Emphasis was placed on the value-add that Grintek could bring to the partnership. These include engineering services, which, at present include three Clarent-certified VOIP specialists, a factor which is unique in that Grintek was one of the first companies worldwide to certify personnel on Clarent technology. In addition, the company established a local lab for training, testing and development of new software and software upgrades as well as fault simulation. Sales and marketing will also be handled by Grintek with full support from Clarent. In this area, the recent 16-nation VOIP conference, organised by the three parties, was successful in highlighting the importance of this technology to the African telecommunications industry.
"Selecting regional partners with established reputations and market savvy is instrumental in the roll-out of Clarent solutions," continues Desmet. "The African market is similar to that found in some Asian countries and our successes in those areas will, with the help of Grintek, translate to success in Africa."
Adds Delio: "The joint initiative with Telkom is an important milestone for Grintek. The African telecom market is valued at more than $40 billion and we are strategically positioned to take a sizeable share of that market.
Telkom has joined more than 400 customers globally who have implemented solutions using leading-edge Clarent technology and this project is the first step in capitalising on the opportunities available."
Share
Editorial contacts