Wholesale telecoms fibre network provider Link Africa has snapped up fibre assets of Internet service provider (ISP) Internet Solutions.
Without giving much details, Link Africa issued a statement this morning saying it “has acquired additional nationwide fibre optic network from a leading ISP for an undisclosed amount. The network has over 400 points of presence across South Africa”.
However, a spokesperson of Internet Solutions sent a short statement to ITWeb this afternoon saying: “Internet Solutions confirms it has sold its fibre assets to Link Africa for an undisclosed sum.
“The transaction is in line with the company’s strategy to disinvest in certain Layer 1 and 2 assets as it refocuses its investments to software-defined technologies. The company will continue to provide fibre services to its clients through its strategic partnerships with Link Africa and other fibre providers.”
A subsidiary of Dimension Data, Internet Solutions is headed by former State IT Agency CEO, Setumo Mohapi.
According to Link Africa, the transaction, which is effective 6 December 2019, extends Link Africa’s fibre network reach to 8 500 km, “making it one of South Africa’s biggest fibre network providers alongside the likes of Openserve, Dark Fibre Africa and Liquid Telecoms”.
The fibre provider says the BBBEE level 1 contributor status of Link Africa will provide an unparalleled platform to partner with its private and public sector clients to drive growth and transformation of the South African digital economy.
Link Africa CEO Terence Moodley says: “This acquisition transforms Link Africa as a key player in the South African fibre market.
“It also provides a platform for our clients to expand GSM coverage in metropolitan and major towns across all provinces, improves our fibre coverage in most major commercial and retail centres across the country and will help provide substantially more affordable fibre services. This deal also positions Link Africa in a strategically excellent position as 5G and the government supported wholesale open access network looms ever larger on the horizon.”
He says Link Africa’s fibre network clients will continue to experience the same high levels of service to which they are accustomed, with the added benefit that Link Africa will have a far wider reach to support its clients’ requirements.
Link Africa will make further investment into the expansion of its fibre network to expand its portfolio of wholesale services.
The company believes fibre industry has the potential to accelerate digital inclusion and economic growth, dynamism and ingenuity that Africa needs.
“A key part of the solution is staring us right in the face – unleashing the economic power of the digital world with Link Africa providing massive bandwidths at affordable rates”, concludes Moodley.
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