Commercially operated State-owned broadcast signal distribution company that also provides international telephony and multimedia services, Sentech, has awarded Grintek Telecom a contract to supply its international gateway platform for its carrier of carriers licence. This affords Sentech the ability to provide an enhanced service of the wholesale traffic of data, voice and Internet services to telecom operators locally and internationally. All Sentech's international voice traffic is carried on the new system.
The system is operational and will be increasingly exploited as Sentech builds its customer base for both for its carrier of carriers and multimedia businesses. This move is expected to grow revenues, especially in the coming year. Plans to extend the solution will be driven by the expansion of business.
Grintek Telecom was chosen through a request for proposals and quotation process implemented to select contractors to provide the new Sentech network.
Gladwin Marumo, chief operating officer at Sentech, says: "Grintek Telecom was our preferred partner of choice as the depth and breadth of their solution met our requirements and expectations. Sentech expects international carrier-grade service from the systems provided by Grintek Telecom, ensuring none or minimal downtime."
The international gateway solution has been implemented and is operating with 'live traffic'. Sentech has interconnection agreements with both MTN and Vodacom and will shortly conclude a contract with Cell C too. This implementation has resulted in revenue generated from Sentech's carrier of carriers licence.
Terry Sanderson, account director at Grintek Telecom, says: "Grintek provided a turnkey solution that includes technology from Verso Technologies, Juniper Networks and Stratex Networks. Grintek Telecom partners with selected vendors to provide best of breed solutions that meet the demands of the local market. The solution will not only help Sentech to effectively use and manage its bandwidth, allowing it to provide a better service to its customers, but position it to be able to provide value-added services to future operators in the African telecommunications arena."
Grintek Telecom's role as technology partner to Sentech includes the planning, installation, support, maintenance and training required for the solutions. The in-country expertise will further reduce ongoing maintenance costs as the vendors whose solutions have been implemented at Sentech technically certify Grintek. It also impacts the critical issue of response time, as the service is available locally through Grintek Telecom if support is required.
Marumo concludes: "Grintek Telecom has provided us with added value through its comprehensive solutions, allowing us to realise value in a short time frame. Grintek Telecom's local skills, expertise and support will provide our company with ongoing commitment and high service levels. They have illustrated commitment towards making the new Sentech businesses a success in a highly competitive market."
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Grintek Telecom, a division of JSE-listed Grintek Ltd, is one of SA's leading empowerment ICT solutions and integration companies. Grintek Telecom provides tailored and innovative ICT solutions, from initial project and business requirement consulting, through to implementation, integration and ongoing support.
The company's ICT solutions have been implemented in more than 500 top South African companies and it provides solutions, services and maintenance in 23 African countries. Over 25 international vendors have selected Grintek Telecom as their local service provider and partner.
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