New products launching at Tel.Com Africa 2002

Exhibitors at Tel.Com Africa 2002 - the continent`s longest established telecommunications industry exhibition - have taken the show`s expanded focus on "Nation Building through Telecommunications Technology Solutions" to heart.

They`re gearing up to show visitors from across the continent a wide range of new products and services.

"What`s interesting is the scope of the exhibits and the varied environments they`re aimed at," says Aldean Prior, general manager of ICT at Reed Exhibitions SA, which is organising the Tel.Com Africa 2002 exhibition on behalf of the Computer Society of SA and the Electronic Industries Federation.

Tel.Com Africa 2002 takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 23 to 25 October.

"These include basic payphone options and wireless local loop telephony products designed to bring basic telephony to remote, rural areas and basic payphone options. In addition, highly sophisticated video conferencing and 3G cellular solutions which enable always-on, wireless Internet access will also be on show.

"There`s also enormous emphasis on all types of infrastructure development and maintenance for telecommunications systems ranging from POTS (plain old telephone systems) to fibre optic, GSM and satellite solutions.

"Indeed, while many exhibitors are focusing on the new and growing commitment to bridging the digital divide between Africa and the developed world in support of Nepad (New Partnership for Africa`s Development), others recognise that there`s a massive market in Africa for regions and communities which have crossed - and are even ahead of - the divide," she adds.

New products and solutions to be introduced at Tel.Com Africa 2002 include:

American Power Conversion (APC) (Stand D3), a leading provider of global, end-to-end infrastructure availability solutions, will introduce its recently announced PowerStruXure. Hailed as the Fortune 1000 and S&P 500 company`s most important product launch in five years, PowerStruXure provides a systematic approach to building data centre physical infrastructure that allows for a "pay-as-you-grow" scenario.

It was recently installed and commissioned literally in a matter of hours, in the Microsoft Technology Data Centre in Silicon Valley to provide a scalable infrastructure for managing power to Microsoft customers and partners who develop, test and fine-tune their Microsoft .Net software applications at the centre.

Amphenol, one of the world`s largest manufacturers of interconnect products, will introduce a new product from its range networking solutions for datacom applications. The Amphenol RJ Field Series, a no-cabling, no-tool product makes it possible to use any standard RJ45 cordset (whose connections and shielding have already been 100% tested) and to transform it into a Harsh Environment IP67 / IK06 shielded connector without any hazardous in-field cabling and grounding.

Andrew Corporation, a global designer, manufacturer, and supplier of electronic communications equipment, services and systems will introduce the African market to two new systems at Tel.Com Africa 2002.

One systems is its SkyPath Series of broadband wireless systems: a high value, low cost, turnkey package, engineered for use in the 2.0 to 3.7GHz band. SkyPath includes the high quality RF and IP equipment, precision system configuration, engineering, staging and site implementation services necessary for deploying a base station capable of supporting high-speed data customers. It can also be upgraded to offer VOIP services.

Andrew Corporation will also introduce Tel.Com Africa 2002 visitors to some of its latest Ka-band earth station antennas (ESA). Thousands of these ESAs - from the small ValuStar through to the 9.3-metre antenna - are already installed worldwide for broadcast, high-density data, voice, and communications network applications.

From the UK, C3 Ltd - a leading developer of open architecture NT and SQL based communications platforms for call handling and e-business - will introduce the southern African market to its innovative solutions for prepaid telephony, prepaid Internet, premium rate telephony, and emergency response based on its Apcentia platform.

Apcentia integrates with virtually any digital network interface and combines voice, fax, e-mail, SMS, data and all other media on a single platform to deliver a wide range of value-added services.

CZ Electronics, a member of the CIE Investment Holding Group, will introduce its manufacturing, PCB assembly and product testing facilities to the market. The company recently purchased the local manufacturing plant from Alcatel SA and now provides facilities with large-scale SMD manufacturing capabilities to the market. It has also developed a Power Distribution Unit that has been type approved by Telkom SA.

The Department of Communications is using Tel.Com Africa 2002 to introduce the Digital Partnership. This is an educational initiative between the Department and the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum. Companies will be invited to join the partnership during the show.

Dynamic Cables, a cable company which sells all types of cable and accessories, recently branched out into the field of fibre optics. It will launch its dynamic cables fibre optical patch cords which have been manufactured and tested in its state-of-the-art laboratory, said to be the most sophisticated in Africa. ADC - a world leader in fibre optics - has approved the Dynamic Cables laboratory as the only southern Africa facility to meet its stringent requirements.

Emerson Energy Systems will launch its Potentia 48102 DC power systems. A major established global supplier of energy solutions for the telecommunications and IT markets, the company`s compact, robust and flexible Potentia system is suitable for communication networks and IT applications requiring cost-effective small to medium range uninterrupted power.

The primary activity of ETECSA (Stand B 5/6) is to provide top quality test and measurement instrumentation to the African industry. This includes products used in the maintenance of IP and cellular networks such as the new, highly mobile MS2711B Handheld Spectrum Analyzer. The product features a rugged, ultra-lightweight, battery-operated design that enables users to conduct spectrum analysis measurements - anywhere, anytime.

Other products being launched by ETECSA at Tel.Com Africa 2002 include the MD1230A Data Quality Analyzer; Anritsu ML2408 Power Meter and the Hytem S9514-1X Portable Synthesizer.

The MD1230A integrates both performance testing and network monitoring into one instrument while the ML2408A Power Meter is used for N-CDMA and Narrow Pulse Power Measurements.

The Hytem S9514-1X Portable Synthesizer is a multi-band GSM, DCS, PCS, UMTS unit designed for maintenance of wireless cellular networks.

Gamatronics Telecom, a joint venture between Israel`s Gamatronics and Omega Scientific Research will exhibit a complete range of DC and AC power systems for telecom applications. These include its single phase 50A rectifier, satellite/ Internet/TCPIP management tools, highly compact DC/DC modules; and its 1006 system which was selected by Motorola and Marconi for use all over the world.

Grintek Telecom, a division of JSE-listed Grintek Ltd, is one of SA`s leading empowerment IT and telecommunications solutions and integration companies has signed an agreement with Cyberline for the delivery of products and services for the next generation of public Automated Service Machines (ASMs).

With its upgradeable design and support of international disability legislation and best practice, the innovative ASM Series offers choice and flexibility, unsurpassed in current ATM/Kiosk technologies. Options offered include video conferencing, A4 statement/ receipt printing, credit/smart card readers, cash dispensing, signature pads, barcode/document scanners, notes/coin acceptors and advanced biometrics.

Huawei Technologies Co Ltd is based in China but its products have been installed in over 40 countries and regions including Germany, Spain, US, Russia, Thailand, Singapore, Brazil, Kenya, Egypt and Hong Kong.

The company is planning to increase its penetration into African markets by showing Tel.Com visitors its products. These include its SmartAX broadband access suite, which supports a wide range of access modes such as Ethernet, xDSL, APON and HFC and addresses the escalating demand for bandwidth capacity for analogue voice, analogue data, ISDN, DSL, ATM and IP services.

Also new on the Huawei Technologies stand will be an integrated video conferencing system ViewPoint 8000, OptiXTM MAN Optical Transport, and TELLIN intelligent network solutions. The TELLIN Intelligent Network was developed to enable service provision for fixed-line and wireless telecom networks more convenient, effective, rapid and economical.

Then there`s the Huawei Quidway series of SOHO, low-, middle- and high-end routers and full range of LAN switches LAN switches and access servers for IP networks.

IST Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary of the JSE-listed IST Group of companies, is introducing its California-based Turin Networks` broadband multi-service optical transport solutions at Tel.Com Africa 2002.

IST will also unveil Carlsson`s Wireless affordable FT512 Digital Microwave Radio solution. This product brings affordable telephone and data to rural communities. The FT512 transmits synchronous data and is specifically designed for easy integration with PCM voice multiplexer POTS cards, or any standard V.35 serial device such as a line concentrator for multiplexed voice, and/or an IP router.

South African companies wanting to find out about the latest services from the ISETT Seta which represents the training and qualification interests of over 6 000 companies in the IT, electronics and telecommunication industries, should visit Tel.Com Africa 2002. Here they can learn more about the Seta`s Skills Development Facilitation project; ETQA Toolkit - how to become accredited training providers; and learnerships programmes.

MarPless, supplies and supports the South African market with information and telecommunications equipment and systems. The company will unveil a coin add-on option to its well-known Midori Smart Card operated payphone. This product is in a test phase and is expected to be made available to the market soon.

MarPless will also introduce application performance infrastructure systems from Nasdaq-listed Packeteer. These systems are designed to give enterprises and service providers a layer of control and end-to-end quality of service for applications delivered across intranets, extranets and the Internet.

MCT Telecommunications, a member of the CIE Group, offers total solutions for video conferencing, audio-conferencing, telemedicine and video surveillance. Apart from unveiling their videophone, set top, rollabout and audio/video Codec range of video conferencing products, they`ll also introduce an access control security system at the show.

On the Multisource Telecoms stand, Tel.Com Africa 2002 visitors will see the Midas corDECT system - a DECT-based Wireless Local Loop (WLL) system that offers a very low per line cost, toll quality voice and data services up to 70kbps.

Developed in India and said to be suited for dense, urban and sparse, rural deployment, it is one of the most advanced and cost-effective WLL solutions in the world today.

The Midas corDECT system has been deployed successfully in Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, Egypt, Tunisia and Madagascar. The product is being introduced to SA where it can cost-effectively provide telephony services to areas where subscriber density is as low as 0.2 subscribers per sq km.

Broadband access wireless local loop (WLL) products - both base station and customer premises antennas - will also feature on the Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) stand. In addition, RFS, a global designer and manufacturer of antenna and cable systems and RF sub-assemblies, will unveil a selection of 3G-ready products including the company`s new `side-by-side` antenna configuration which is GSM 900/GSM 1800 and UMTS compatible.

Also likely to arouse the interest of cellular network operators is RFS`s advanced cellular antenna remote electrical tilt (RET) control system - the Optimizer RT while the mining industry will find RFS`s extensive range of RADIAFLEX radiating cable invaluable for communications in Africa`s underground mining industry.

Other new exhibits on the RFS stand will be the CompactLine microwave antenna range, designed for short-haul point-to-point applications; PHP series UHF broadband modular panel arrays which are said to be ideal for analogue and digital television broadcast; and `camouflage` cellular antenna solutions. Redtin, a leading developer of interactive telephony systems will be introducing the RedTin Telephone Voice Recorder which is ideal for businesses wanting a cost effective telephone voice-recording device or call logging system.

And at the UK-based Redwing Satellite Solutions stand, Tel.Com Africa 2002 visitors will be the first in SA to see VAYTA, a small VSAT system designed to provide a cost-effective voice and Internet solution for mining, exploration and production as well as game lodges and remote communities.

Visitors can also learn about Redwing`s new AfriNET hub service operating on Stellat 5. This highly competitive service requires the installation of a 2.4m C-band antenna to look at the satellite located at 5o West, plus a small indoor unit that connects to the LAN. Redwing expects the service to appeal to users such as cyber cafes, corporate, SOHO, schools, government agencies and NGOs.

Finnish company, Satel, an acknowledged world leader in the wireless data communication market, will introduce its range of SATELLINE RF modems. These are used for a multitude of applications in numerous economic sectors - from security to data communications - around the world.

Security products of a different kind will feature on the Visual Analysis stand. As the sole distributor for i2 Ltd in a number of African countries and Australia, Visual Analysis will introduce visitors to several award-winning i2 Ltd software products. These include Analyst`s Notebook which creates link charts to show the connection or flow of commodities between people, accounts, organisations and any other element of an enquiry. Other products are iBase, an investigative database system; iBridge, a database connection tool; pattern tracer for telephone call analysis; and a Crime Pattern Analysis Took called Analyst`s Workstation.

Finally, VRG Telecommunication and Projects which recently signed agreements with NERA and APC, will showcase Nera microwave radio products and APC products at Tel.Com Africa 2002 for the first time.

A range of plesiochronous and synchronous point-to-point microwave radio systems as well as its broadband point-to-multipoint microwave radio products will also be on show.