BICS launches IP over Satellite services to enhance reliability and reach for African telcos

Brussels – Belgium, 11 November, 2014 – BICS, a global wholesale carrier for voice, mobile data and capacity services, has launched a range of IP over satellite (IPoSat) services, to provide cost effective connectivity to landlocked countries and a robust back-up for fibre and submarine cables, allowing operators to increase their network availability and secure an improved quality of service for customers.

Announced at AfricaCom, the SatFlex and MultiFlex services allow operators to ensure connectivity remains available even in the most challenging geographical and environmental conditions, where fibre or submarine cabling has a high possibility of experiencing outages.

To ensure end-to-end link quality and efficiency BICS uses its own Europe-based state-of-the-art teleport satellite and fibre infrastructure. Capacity is available from both stable and inclined orbit satellites, offering providers data speeds of hundreds of Mbps in each direction.

BICS is showcasing the capabilities of its flexible satellite solutions at AfricaCom, alongside its wide portfolio of voice, capacity and roaming solutions for mobile operators. By offering the full connectivity suite, BICS can provide faster issue resolution during outages for all mission critical international telecommunications services.

“SatFlex and MultiFlex are excellent tools for operators to ensure their customers are receiving high quality connectivity even in the most challenging of environments and circumstances,” said Eric Loos, Senior Product Manager Capacity and IP, BICS. “In areas difficult to reach with traditional capacity solutions, as is particularly the case for several countries in Africa, BICS satellite services can offer robust connectivity, increasing the quality of experience for millions of people.

“By using BICS’ satellite IP services, operators can ensure their customers are no longer taken completely offline by damaged fibre cabling and severe weather conditions,” he added.

Clémentine Fournier, Regional Vice President Africa, BICS said: “BICS has a long tradition of investing in Africa and is another example of BICS’ commitment to bringing the latest technology to the region. These services will improve service reliability and connect landlocked countries to ensure internet and roaming services are always accessible to everyone in Africa. This follows the launch of the Johannesburg PoP earlier this year and the foundation of the first active LTE roaming service on the continent in 2013.”