Tellumat secures partnership with Zynetix UK

As GSM communications continue to become the de facto standard for telephony and other mobile applications in SA and into the African continent, wireless solutions and equipment provider Tellumat has announced that it has formalised its two-year relationship with UK-based Zynetix Communication Systems.

Zynetix is a GSM innovator and manufacturer that provides a range of solutions to improve the performance and lower the costs of mobile networks, with equipment targeted at network operators and end-user clients with large campus environments. Its flagship technology essentially creates a distributed GSM architecture that obviates the need for backhaul to communicate from one cellular telephone to another, inexpensively creating a `private` GSM network within a specific area to enable low- or no-cost cell-to-cell calls.

Because the Zynetix equipment essentially allows for the creation of a `private` GSM network, Tellumat business development manager Neill Freidman says companies stand to reduce the cost of in-campus calls considerably - and wipe as much as 60% off their current communications bill. "Research indicates that a very high proportion of business calls originate and terminate within the same building. By removing backhaul - essentially taking the carrier out of the equation - massive savings can be realised," he says.

He notes that Tellumat works very closely with network operators, and that the technology does not encroach on the licences of incumbents.

"The revenue that they may lose would have been lost anyway as other technologies such as WiFi or DECT can eliminate the cost; because everyone has a SM handset anyway, this is simply the most effective means. However, the networks do gain in one respect - they benefit from improved subscriber loyalty because the same network must be used by all employees within a given campus," he says.

According to Ian Taylor, managing director of Zynetix, it follows a channel-centric route to market. "Zynetix works 100% through distributors and system integrators. In partners, we look for senior-level relationships with mobile carriers and, preferably, military clients. Additionally, partners must bring technical competence at system, product and technology levels in the GSM mobile, PBX, radio, billing and network management fields, while fielding the appropriate first and second line support personnel," he says.

Taylor notes that Tellumat has fully met these expectations over the duration of its association with Zynetix, while also delivering an appropriate approach to end-user clients.

"We believe the value-add that Tellumat brings to our product and solutions sets includes its highly trained and motivated staff which is able to position solutions to clients on a business-case basis," he adds.

With the Zynetix product range targeted at the requirements of the South African and African market - which Friedman says is focused on providing low-cost, highly scaleable and simple-to-maintain solutions - Freidman believes there is considerable potential for the products to continue gaining market share.

"Market requirements in these territories are very different from those of Europe and the US; with the combination of Tellumat`s experience and the fact that these solutions are competitive for these specific environments, we have already seen considerable successes which are set to grow in 2005," he concludes.