Australian telecommunications company Telstra has announced a new point of presence (POP) in Johannesburg. The company will leverage local company Internet Solutions' network footprint to increase its service coverage in SA, providing greater connectivity and redundancy options for businesses operating across Africa.
According to Bernadette Noujaim Baldwin, Telstra's head of connectivity and platforms portfolio, global enterprise and services, the agreement with Internet Solutions forms part of Telstra's broader multiprotocol label switching strategy, which includes network-to-network interconnection agreements in emerging markets that are of high value to customers and the expansion of the company's own on-net POPs.
Baldwin notes, since its admission into the BRICS economic coalition, SA is an emerging power, with one of the fastest-growing Internet economies in the world.
"With these economic conditions in mind, we're seeing demand for data connectivity throughout Africa as an increasing number of Asian, European and American businesses look to the continent for long-term growth opportunities," she says.
"To effectively service the needs of local and multi-national businesses operating in South Africa, we needed to work with a local provider who understands the region's demands."
She explains Telstra is focused on providing services to large multinational companies that are growing across Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world, which is why the company partnered with Internet Solutions.
Greg Montjoie, executive for connectivity at Internet Solutions explains SA has one of the continent's biggest economies, with one of the most advanced, broad-based industrial sectors.
"We are delighted to be partnering with Telstra to extend its network reach into the continent and provide its customers with connectivity support for growth and investment here.
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