Paratus Group has confirmed its expansion into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This coincides with the news that Paratus has won, together with DRC-based Global Broadband Solution (GBS), the government tender to activate a 620-kilometre fibre optic network link between Muanda, on the west coast, to DRC’s capital city, Kinshasa. Paratus and GBS have established FAST Congo to deliver, operate and maintain the network link in an exclusive 15-year licence contract.
By adding DRC to its terrestrial network, Paratus Group now boasts a unique and contiguous footprint in Africa, which includes: offices in seven SADC countries; four data centres; five satellite teleports with 6 000 customer sites; the Google Equiano Cable landing station in Namibia; an extended network through satellite connectivity-focused service in more than 30 African countries; and international points of presence (PoPs) in UK, Europe and the USA.
Earlier this week, the DRC fibre link deal with FAST Congo was officially signed and announced by SOCOF (Societe Congolaise de Fibre Optique), the government entity established to develop telecommunications infrastructure and equipment in the DRC.
Paratus formed a consortium with local internet service provider, GBS, to create a strategic public-private partnership with SOCOF to activate, operate and maintain the fibre highway that was installed and funded by The World Bank. The network spans the railway line between Muanda and Kinshasa which, en route, takes in six towns.
With the objective of increasing connectivity throughout the region, FAST Congo is working towards activating the fibre link in the third quarter of 2022. Paratus Group Chief Technical Officer Rolf Mendelsohn said: “This is an extremely important strategic development for Paratus. We are not only uniquely qualified to open this fibre highway in DRC, but we’re also uniquely placed to connect the country to Angola, Zambia and beyond via our own network in the SADC.
This presents great potential for the region’s economy and for quality connections and increased capacity to be offered as standard to businesses and consumers alike. We are very proud to be the lead company in making this happen.”
The Managing Director of FAST Congo, Francois-Xavier Kabemba added: “We have already started work on installing the necessary equipment to expedite the fibre optic network’s activation. As our company name implies, we are committed to delivering fast, secure, quality network connections to the people and businesses of DRC so that they may benefit from the unlimited opportunities offered by fibre.”
With an eye on the future, Paratus Group is investing in infrastructure and establishing itself as a key player in delivering integrated network services across Africa. Paratus is managed by a professional operational team in seven African countries – Angola, Botswana, DRC, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia – and the business’s extended network provides a satellite connectivity-focused service in more than 30 African countries to a magnitude of customer satellite connections across the continent. This connects African businesses across the continent and delivers end-to-end service excellence.
Global Broadband Solution (GBS) is an expert company in the design and supply of specialised solutions in the field of telecommunications. It offers services mainly in optical fibre, Vsat and Wimax to large companies in sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2004. GBS has assets and specificities that allow it to maintain an important place in the Congolese market despite the growing competition in its sector of activity.