Verizon expands African network

Verizon Communications has formed a network alliance with Gateway Business Africa, a provider of pan-African corporate connectivity and telecommunications, reports RTT News.

The deal allows Verizon Business to leverage Gateway Business' network presence and extend coverage of the Verizon multiprotocol label switching to an additional 14 pan-African countries.

According to the Verizon, the network gives customers a scalable cross-continent IP business communications platform.

ABI Research estimates that at the end of the second quarter of 2010, more than five billion mobile subscriptions were active worldwide, states Cellular News.

Africa led the charge, registering 4% growth in subscribers between the first and second quarter of 2010.

"Africa's low mobile penetration and usage are now attracting multinational mobile operators such as Bharti and Vodafone to the world's last remaining growth market," comments ABI Research's vice-president of forecasting, Jake Saunders. "This new competition will lead to lower monthly tariffs and will allow more people on the continent to access a mobile phone."

Libyan investment company LAP Green Networks is set to build a fibre-optic network in Zambia, says Africa News.

The networks will roll out the cable across Zambia within the next two years, which in part is the company's plan to invest $127 million to upgrade the network of its Zambian unit.

In June, LAP Green acquired a 75% interest in Zamtel for $257 million. Zamtel is the only fixed-line operator in Zambia.