Gateway Communications has increased its presence in West Africa by signing an interconnect agreement with Ghana`s Western Telesystems (Westel).
Westel is Ghana`s second national operator (SNO) and as such, did not have access to the telecommunication routes into Europe and North America until this deal was signed.
"This deal is a good kick-start for Westel, as the organisation now has immediate connectivity to the rest of the world and can link to the first-tier telecoms operators on a low cost/high quality basis," says Mike van den Bergh, MD of Gateway.
"The agreement will also enable Westel to increase its market share of the international telephony traffic terminated into Ghana, and Gateway will aggressively market these routes and work to generate new traffic for them."
He says that as a provider of wholesale international voice and data services throughout Africa and the Middle East, Gateway`s existing customers include global and African Public Telephone and Telegraph (PTT) operators, GSM operators, long distance carriers and non-traditional sources of traffic, such as the international calling-card market.
"Although Gateway Communications often works with incumbent PTT operators in Africa who have a monopoly over international services, the Westel agreement presents a significant opportunity for us to provide our expertise to Ghana`s competitive licensed carrier," says Van den Bergh.
"We believe that Westel is well positioned to gain significant market share in Ghana, and we look forward to the opportunity to assist them in building a dominant position in international services."
He says that in terms of SA`s own SNO licence, Gateway Communications - which is a shareholder in CommuniTel, one of the consortiums bidding for the 51% equity share of the SNO - is simply underlining its experience and the value-add it can bring to such a project.
"This experience, and the relationships which are being forged, will undoubtedly add value to the CommuniTel bid to become part of the South African SNO," he says.
Related stories:
SNO bidders neck-and-neck in final race
Light at the end of the telecoms tunnel
Share
