Redington, a leading technology aggregator and innovation powerhouse across emerging markets, has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions 

This collaboration aims to empower channel partners across Africa to leverage the transformative potential of Vertiv’s technology and expand its reseller network.

The partnership capitalises on Redington's established presence and expertise in emerging markets, particularly in data center transformation and artificial intelligence (AI), alongside Vertiv's industry-leading power and cooling technology, resources, and over 50 years of experience in critical infrastructure services. This powerful combination will unlock new opportunities for Vertiv to extend its reach within the regional channel market. The distributor’s comprehensive reach across Africa, coupled with its strong in-house services team, will provide additional value to Vertiv's local channel partners and end users.

The partnership encompasses Vertiv's entire Integrated Solutions portfolio and IT channel product stack across Africa. This comprehensive offering enables Redington to deliver a complete suite of Vertiv's cutting-edge solutions to its extensive network of channel partners and end users.

"As Vertiv continues to expand its footprint across Africa, this strategic partnership with Redington marks a significant milestone in our journey," said Wojtek Piorko, managing director for Africa at Vertiv. "Africa is a critical region for Vertiv as a business, and we look forward to supporting local customers in meeting their efficiency, scalability and sustainability goals into the future, together with Redington."

“At Redington, we're constantly seeking strategic partnerships that fuel innovation and drive growth across Africa,” said Dharshana Kosgalage, executive vice-president, technology solutions group, Redington Middle East and Africa. “Our collaboration with Vertiv exemplifies this commitment. Vertiv’s industry-leading technology perfectly complements our extensive reach, creating a powerful value proposition for businesses across the continent. We're confident this alliance will catalyse Africa's digital revolution."

The distributor will hold specialized training and partner empowerment sessions to enable its channel network to effectively deliver Vertiv’s portfolio, as well as carefully managing inventory to serve the market without delays and designing solutions to meet customers’ specific requirements alongside partners.

Telecom Namibia has unveiled a transformative three-year partnership with a joint venture between ZTE Corporation and Huafull International Limited

Recognised as a global leader in mobile technology solutions, ZTE's collaboration with Telecom Namibia marks a significant advancement in enhancing the country's mobile network capabilities and coverage.

Mobile network expansion

Aligned with Telecom Namibia’s five-year Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) 2027, this initiative includes investing in the modernisation and expansion of the TN mobile network. This will involve rolling out new mobile base stations and upgrading existing ones nationwide. According to the agreement, Telecom Namibia will procure state-of-the-art mobile radio access equipment from the ZTE Corporation and Huafull International Limited Joint Venture. This procurement aims to strengthen the mobile network's capacity and coverage, particularly in previously underserved areas. The partnership will support the deployment of advanced mobile radio access technologies such as 4G, 4.5G, and 5G, ensuring TN mobile consumers receive high-quality, fast, and reliable mobile broadband services.

During the signing ceremony, Telecom Namibia's CEO, Dr Stanley Shanapinda, highlighted, “As a committed provider of reliable and high-speed mobile services nationwide, we are excited to join forces with ZTE and Huafull to bring transformative solutions to our customers. This collaboration underscores our dedication to delivering unparalleled mobile connectivity and bridging the digital divide in communities across our country.”

The integration of ZTE’s cutting-edge equipment into Telecom Namibia’s network will facilitate the deployment of next-generation technologies, providing users with faster data speeds and enhanced reliability. Moreover, expanding coverage through the deployment of new sites will ensure seamless connectivity. By leveraging the expertise and innovation of ZTE and Huafull, Telecom Namibia aims to accelerate the growth of its mobile network footprint and offer improved services to both urban and rural areas across the country.

Jack Liu, vice-president of Huafull International, expressed, “We are very honored and grateful to Telecom Namibia for choosing and collaborating with ZTE Corporation and Huafull International as partners for the next phase of wireless network upgrade and transformation.”

Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd continues to assert its leadership as a provider of satellite communications infrastructure by securing a new contract with INFRATEL AFRICA, a major telecom company engaged in a rural infrastructure backhaul project

This project will transition 100 locations to the NigComSat-1R Ka band hub platform, significantly enhancing rural connectivity and furthering the digital economy goals of the current administration.

Enhancing digital inclusion 

The NigComSat-1R satellite will support businesses by expanding telecom networks and improving connectivity solutions. Managing director NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Nkechi Jane Egerton-Idehen, remarked, “The collaboration with INFRATEL AFRICA is a welcome development as NIGCOMSAT Ltd is now placed to claim its rightful position in the industry.”

"And together we are making significant progress in delivering services in the areas of Transponder lease, broadband internet, broadcast service and other turnkey solutions,’” Egerton-Idehen added at the signing of the agreement between the two companies.

The managing director noted that all the people she is currently working with, are all internal staff, which shows the level of competencies on ground. She assured INFRATEL AFRICA that NIGCOMSAT Ltd in recent time upgraded its infrastructure to meet the world standard for service delivery.

INFRATEL AFRICA is connecting unserved and underserved communities to the global digital landscape, promoting inclusivity and digital equality by leveraging its infrastructure, expertise, and technology as a leading telecommunication infrastructure service provider in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

This, among other goals, is achieved by providing technology solutions to drive transformational services such as Agency Banking, Telemedicine, e-learning, e-government and Solar based cold rooms within the rural communities, utilising strategic alliances with technical partners to deliver value to clients and enhance communication across Africa, bridging gaps regardless of social class or location.

Livewire digital managing director Tristan Wood focuses on the impact of autonomous networks on Telcos and the Maritime Sector, following the launch of Inmarsat's NexusWave Driven by Livewire's RazorLink SD-WAN Software

Telecommunications companies are deeply involved in the journey of network automation. This is driven by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the pressure to increase margins from connectivity while maintaining prices. However, another significant development is the impact of hybrid connectivity, which involves bonding multiple networks. Tristan Wood, UK MD of Livewire Digital, suggests this could be a major disruptor, especially in the maritime sector.

A PwC industry survey last year found nearly half of telecom CEOs predicted existential threats unless their companies adapted to the changing market. The entry of other B2B operators into the connectivity space is intensifying the battle for revenue.

Currently, satellite dominates maritime broadband communications, but the cost of airtime remains a key concern. True hybrid connectivity, which bonds multiple networks and routes traffic via the most effective network, is becoming crucial. Inmarsat’s newly launched NexusWave offers a unified multi-dimensional network that combines traditional GEO satellite connectivity with more cost-effective services, such as Low Earth Orbit satellite (LEO) and terrestrial LTE cellular services when near coastal cell sites.

Network autonomy is also a focal point for many telecom companies. These next-generation networks use generative AI tools to self-monitor and resolve technical issues on demand, potentially revolutionising telephony and connectivity markets. The transition from Level 3 autonomy (automating tasks within pre-defined limits) to Level 5 autonomy (adapting to unknown conditions) is inevitable, depending on how quickly established and new players implement it.

According to TM Forum,  the global industry association for service providers and their suppliers, most telcos (84%) are not yet at Level 3 autonomy, which ranges from manual maintenance to closed-loop operations with selective AI in specific environments. Capgemini Research Institute indicates most telcos aim to achieve at least Level 3 autonomy by 2028.

Why is this important?

Autonomous networks offer benefits in quality of service (QoS), experience (QoE), and cost-efficiency. Various autonomous network initiatives over the past two years have shown operational performance improvements by up to 20% and reductions in operational expenditure (OpEx) by 18%. The economics alone are compelling.

Although delving into the technical details of implementing autonomy across fixed-line, cellular, or satellite networks isn't possible here, the broad principles are similar. These include customer-facing conditions like subscriber churn and behavior predictive analysis, predictive maintenance, network slice optimisation, adaptive and dynamic network policies, and network failure prediction. Collectively, the benefits are substantial.

For telcos using satellite and cellular or other networks, the advantages of hybrid connectivity are even greater. This brings us back to the concept of true hybrid networks, which transition from vertical integration of autonomy to a three-dimensional approach.

True hybrid networks are heterogeneous, turning a single bonded connection (fixed-line, cellular, satellite, emergency services network) into one seamless connection, offering ubiquitous, always-on connectivity. Intelligent management of resources to suit various conditions is crucial in government and business-critical environments, where lives and livelihoods are at stake. Inmarsat’s NexusWave demonstrates the maritime sector’s potential to benefit from this technology.

Hybrid connectivity, enabled by SD-WAN, uses software-defined networking to distribute network traffic across a WAN, creating a virtual overlay that bonds underlying private or public WAN connections like fiber, wireless, satellite, or cellular. This seamless combination and transition between networks allow multiple technologies to work together, sharing the load and resources.

A hybrid platform adapts to various variables to optimise performance and reduce costs, using the most cost-effective option. Integrating existing and future connectivity services can enhance efficiency in systems, workflows, and people. Despite advances like 5G and LEO satellite services, no single network can address the demand for seamless connectivity on the move. Hybrid connectivity offers a comprehensive solution for coverage, bandwidth, reliability, and cost.

The market opportunities for true hybrid connectivity are vast. It addresses the challenges of dynamic connections across different network coverages, making it suitable for industries like defense, space exploration, autonomous vehicles, emergency services, telehealth, cloud-based HPC, AI, and machine learning. Hybrid connectivity enables intelligent connections, revolutionising telecommunications and other technology-driven sectors.

The maritime sector, with its need for data and speed of connection, will benefit greatly from true hybrid connectivity. Inmarsat’s NexusWave, featuring RazorLink’s SD-WAN technology, addresses challenges of network connectivity, efficiency, and cost.

Telecommunication companies face a critical pivot point. Embracing true hybrid connectivity early could yield significant market opportunities, allowing telcos to capitalise on this technology before others move into the space.

Africa Data Centres, a division of the Cassava Technologies group, has announced the commencement of construction for a solar farm in the Free State in partnership with DPA Southern Africa 

Kaspersky has introduced a crucial resource for cybersecurity professionals: the 'Windows Digital Forensics' course, aimed at enhancing incident response capabilities with essential skills in threat detection and digital forensics

In 2023, more than 20% of cyberattacks persisted for over a month, highlighting the urgency for businesses to reduce "detection-to-resolution" times. Addressing the challenge of a skills shortage, Kaspersky has introduced a training course focusing on a critical aspect of incident response.

The 'Windows Digital Forensics' course aims to equip professionals with essential skills in digital forensics, providing comprehensive understanding and practical experience. Detecting digital traces of attack development is crucial, especially when preventive measures fail.

Participants will learn methods for acquiring diverse digital evidence, identifying traces of malicious activity, and using timestamps from Windows artifacts to reconstruct incident scenarios. The course covers analysing browser and email histories, incident scoping, evidence acquisition, log file and network analysis, creation of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), and memory forensics.

Developed by Ayman Shaaban, digital forensics and incident response group manager at Kaspersky, the training leverages his extensive cybersecurity expertise. Participants will apply their knowledge in a secure virtual lab designed to assess and enhance practical skills.

This course is part of a series focused on incident response, allowing professionals to customise their educational journey in this critical field. It benefits companies enhancing their incident response teams and individuals seeking to elevate their technical analysis skills in digital forensics.

“To achieve cyber-resilience, organisations must be prepared for incidents by managing logs centrally, retaining them for extended periods, and safeguarding them against tampering, malicious access, or accidental loss. They also need the ability to conduct forensic investigations promptly when necessary. During this training course, you will get acquainting with digital forensics as an important part of the incident response process and will be equipped with useful knowledge that help you to swiftly handle, contain, understand and recover from cyber-attacks and effectively minimise their impact in the quickest way possible”, commented Ayman Shaaban.