Siemon introduces SN cord support, tripling fibre capacity in 1U panels and aligning with VSFF connector adoption in data centres. (Image source: Siemon)

Siemon, a leading provider of network infrastructure solutions, has announced its support for Very Small Form Factor (VSFF) connectors, starting with the SN cord

The SN cord marks a significant advancement in fibre connectivity, offering substantially higher density compared to traditional LC connectors. While a standard 1U 19-inch panel can house up to 144 fibres with LC connectors, integrating SN cords within the same space triples the capacity to 432 fibres.

Advancing fibre connectivity

“Siemon’s support for SN cords reflects our commitment to driving innovation and enabling higher-density fibre networks,” commented Peter Thickett, Siemon director, product management (Data Centres). “As active equipment manufacturers continue to adopt VSFF connectors to maximise port counts, our SN cord support ensures that structured cabling environments can align seamlessly with these advancements.”

Beyond delivering exceptional density with support for up to 432 fibres in a 1U panel, Siemon’s VSFF Connector Support offers custom jumper configurations to reduce excess cabling. Additionally, it features innovative compatibility with SN-LC cords incorporating Siemon’s LC BladePatch connector, allowing seamless integration with standard LC interfaces.

By prioritising SN cords, Siemon reinforces its forward-thinking approach to fibre connectivity while continuing to evaluate market demand for further VSFF solutions

CMC Networks secures B-BBEE Level 1 for fifth year, enhancing inclusive growth, skills development, and customer satisfaction in South Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

CMC Networks, a global Tier-1 service provider, has achieved B-BBEE Level 1 status in South Africa for the fifth consecutive year

This accomplishment underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive business practices, enhancing customer satisfaction, and promoting economic fairness.

The attainment of Level 1 B-BBEE status brings significant benefits to CMC Networks’ stakeholders in South Africa, including a 135% procurement recognition. This allows CMC Networks’ clients to claim 135% of their expenditure towards their own B-BBEE score, improving their compliance. Additionally, the status provides key advantages, such as a stronger brand reputation, recognition, and growth potential.

"We are delighted to once again achieve the B-BBEE Level 1 status," said Marisa Trisolino, CEO of CMC Networks. "Securing this recognition for the fifth year in a row reflects our dedication to inclusive growth and improving experiences for our customers. It’s not just about compliance. It’s about making a real difference to local communities, businesses, and wider society."

Empowering growth opportunities 

B-BBEE is a South African government policy aimed at increasing black people's participation in the economy through areas such as business ownership, management, skills training, supplier development, and community engagement. CMC Networks actively contributes to skills development and career advancement programmes, particularly focusing on supporting unemployed youth. The company offers Bursaries, Learnerships, and globally recognised short courses to build a highly skilled workforce, providing individuals with the certifications and hands-on experience needed to accelerate their careers and support customers end-to-end.

"Real progress can only be made by empowering people with the right skills and opportunities," said Trisolino. "That’s why we prioritise skills development, leadership coaching, mentorship, and continuous learning at CMC Networks to provide ongoing opportunities and support. We put customers at the center of everything we do, and our B-BBEE Level 1 status is a vital component of our overall business strategy. Together, we are creating an even stronger team of experts that are ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow for our customers and partners."

CMC Networks offers a comprehensive range of connectivity solutions for businesses in some of the world’s most demanding markets. Their extensive network spans 51 of Africa’s 54 countries, 11 countries across the Middle East, and key interconnect locations in Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific.

Also read: https://communicationsafrica.com/internet/ntt-data-launches-smart-ai

AGCCI trained more than 600 young women across 32 African nations, helping them build careers and develop innovations in ICT. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Empowering young women in technology, the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) is bridging the digital gender gap in Tanzania

Through coding camps and mentorship, participants like Annagrace Malamsha and Flora Kagoma are gaining the skills to transform their careers and communities, proving that the future of ICT is inclusive.

“The AGCCI Coding Camp has been a life changer, and a core part of shaping my perception on pursuing careers within the Tech space,” said Malamsha.

She and Flora Kagoma are among 100 young women in Tanzania who exemplify the impact of the AGCCI “Binti Dijitali” program, which is transforming opportunities for girls in the country.

AGCCI is implemented by UN Women in partnership with the Ministries of Gender, ICT, and Education in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, along with the African Union Commission and the International Telecommunication Union. Supported by the Government of Belgium, the program focuses on equipping young women aged 17 to 25 with coding and digital literacy skills.

During its initial phase (2018–2021), AGCCI trained more than 600 young women across 32 African nations, helping them build careers and develop innovations in ICT. The second phase, backed by the Government of Belgium and executed in collaboration with schools, NGOs, private sector entities, and government agencies, expanded the initiative to 11 countries, including Tanzania. Over 1,000 girls benefited from intensive coding camps covering fundamental programming skills and hands-on digital training.

According to UN Women Programme Specialist for Women’s Economic Empowerment, Lilian Mwamdanga, the initiative is designed to bridge the gender gap in digital skills, ensuring women and girls can remain competitive in the evolving job market.

"Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is emerging as a powerful tool for economic empowerment, creating opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Yet, despite rapid digital advancements, women remain underrepresented in the tech sector,” she said. “By empowering them with the skills they need, we can help bridge this gap and create a more inclusive digital economy, where women and girls can contribute towards driving innovation and economic growth.”

After completing the coding camp, Malamsha applied her newly gained expertise to shift her career focus, integrating digital marketing into her professional journey.

“I was able to use what I learned from the coding camp to work as a freelance graphics designer, brand manager and social media manager.”

Since her participation in the programme, she has remained committed to giving back to her community. Her efforts include engaging in international initiatives that empower women and offering digital marketing training. She also co-founded SHEWORKS in Tech, an organization dedicated to setting up digital clubs in secondary schools to equip young innovators with essential skills.

“I want girls to know that coding and working in the ICT sector is not reserved for men,” Annagrace insisted. “We must challenge the status quo and address the gender divide, one training session at a time.”

iColo, a Digital Realty Company, is a premier provider of carrier-neutral data centers in Kenya and Mozambique

They serve a wide range of customers, including telecom carriers, ISPs, IT and cloud providers, and enterprise businesses. With the increasing demand for reliable data center services in East Africa, iColo sought to enhance their infrastructure to meet international standards. The company operates key facilities in Nairobi and Mombasa, including Mombasa One (MBA1), Mombasa Two (MBA2), and Nairobi One (NBO1).

Project Overview

The expansion and upgrade of iColo’s data centers in Nairobi and Mombasa required high-speed, low-latency connectivity to support their customers’ needs. iColo first established a facility in Mombasa, termed the ‘Gateway to East Africa,’ owing to the subsea cables landing in the coastal city. This location catered to the colocation needs of connectivity providers looking to sell capacity in Kenya and the broader East African region. Later, they set up in Nairobi specifically for enterprise businesses in the city.

This project was motivated by the increasing need for colocation data centers in the region. As they launched their data center operations, iColo needed the right equipment and expertise to ensure that our colocation services met international standards. iColo sought a partner capable of delivering state-of-the-art, reliable services and solutions, which led to the collaboration with Siemon.

The challenge

With data centers spanning over 2,600 sqm, iColo needed a flexible, easy-to-deploy interconnect infrastructure that would future-proof their facilities, especially as technologies like AI and machine learning continue to evolve. iColo’s growing customer base, including enterprises and connectivity providers, demanded robust and reliable data center services. With subsea cables landing in Mombasa, the region became a critical connectivity hub, and iColo needed to ensure their colocation services were on par with global standards. The main challenge was to build a scalable, high-performance infrastructure that could handle the growing data traffic while offering flexibility and reliability.

The Siemon solution

Siemon was selected as the solution provider due to their superior product performance, ease of installation, and local technical support. After a thorough evaluation process, Siemon’s products were chosen to deliver the advanced interconnect infrastructure iColo required.

The following Siemon solutions were deployed:

• Plug and Play Fiber Solutions – RazorCoreTM fiber trunks, LC BladePatch, fiber combo panels, and fiber trunks for fast, easy installation.
• Plug and Play Copper Solutions – Z-MAX shielded copper trunks, patch panels, and combo panel adapters to ensure reliable, high-performance connections.
• RS Racks and VCM Cable Managers – Used for efficient cable management in Meet-Me rooms.
• Cable Tray Racks (CTR) and V-Series Cabinets – Installed for optimal data center management and organization.

These solutions allowed iColo to offer carrier-neutral connectivity, enabling their customers to easily interconnect and exchange data with minimal latency.

Implementation and results

iColo’s project began in 2017 and continues to evolve, with the most recent phases focusing on the expansion of Mombasa and Nairobi data centers. Siemon’s products were installed across iColo’s facilities, providing seamless connectivity and superior performance. The implementation of RS racks and VCM cable managers resolved key cable management challenges in the Meet-Me rooms, enhancing operational efficiency. Performance tests revealed that the Siemon solutions exceeded expectations, offering zero failure rates and ensuring smooth, uninterrupted service for iColo’s customers.

Customer feedback and benefits

Working with Siemon has delivered significant advantages for iColo. The solutions provided faster service delivery, improved connectivity reliability, and superior thermal management, which are critical for maintaining optimal performance in a data center environment. The quick installation process reduced downtime, enabling iColo to meet their project deadlines efficiently. “Siemon has been a valuable partner throughout our journey. Their products have proven to be reliable, and their technical support is always timely”, commented iColo’s team.

Conclusion

By leveraging Siemon’s innovative solutions, iColo was able to build and expand its data center facilities to meet the needs of its diverse customer base in East Africa. With reliable, future-proof infrastructure now in place, iColo is well-positioned to support the region’s growing demand for colocation services and data connectivity.