Microwave connections could help speed up delivery of African networks

26th April 2013 By: Schalk Burger - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Low-latency microwave networks can be deployed rapidly and are an effective way to create fast communication networks for banks, governments, financial organisations and utilities in Africa, says microwave transmission company Aviat Networks Middle East, Africa and Europe sales and services VP Trevor Burchell.

“Microwave connectivity is an effective way to deploy a network quickly where other communications infrastructure is scarce, such as in parts of Africa, or in rural and remote areas. Such a network can be deployed much more quickly than a fibre-optic network and provides a large portion of the capacity that a fibre-optic connection would provide,” he says.

The company predicts a difficult year for African telecoms, but foresees continued demand for its low-latency microwave transmission networks from businesses and governmental organisations that require fast and reliable connectivity to function effectively.

Part of the drive behind the deployment and use of low-latency microwave networks is to enable companies to execute projects and services quickly, which, in turn, would provide them with a strategic advantage in markets, compared with competitors, he adds.

Further, the banking and information sectors are strategic priorities for Aviat in African markets.

Aviat predicts good demand for its networks in the information technology and communications sector in Africa, owing to a lack of high-speed telecommunications infrastructure coupled with good growth prospects on the continent.

However, the deployment of microwave connectivity must be carefully considered and an effective network designed, based on the objectives that an organisation aims to achieve, while the development of a microwave network must meet business or organisational needs.

Different weather and atmospheric conditions must be considered during the design of the network and Aviat has extensive in-house expertise and experience of African environments, enabling it to design a fast and effective low-latency microwave network for organisations on the continent, Burchell notes.

“Aviat has been growing in the African market for more than 15 years and we have a strong presence. The company focuses on designing network infrastructure, providing equipment and helping customers acquire sites, as well as implementing and managing the network to enable users to deploy effective networks quickly,” he says.

“The business environment in Africa is well suited to the deployment and use of microwave networks, owing to the large investment needed to deploy a fibre-optic network and the high demand for fast, reliable communication.”

Burchell highlights that Aviat has been an active participant in the yearly Next Generation Telecoms Summit and particularly values the operators’ discussion forum, where market and technical challenges are debated. Aviat uses this and close customer engagement to engage with trends in its markets and focus new technology development on current market challenges.

The South African and African markets slowly adopted microwave connectivity technologies, but uptake and demand have increased and the growth period is predicted to continue for the medium term, owing to the continued demand for and growth of bandwidth and data infrastructure, concludes Burchell.

Story highlights:

* Aviat foresees continued demand for its low-latency microwave transmission networks from businesses and governmental organisations that require fast and reliable connectivity.
*The deployment and use of low-latency microwave networks enable companies to execute projects and services quickly and can be deployed where communications infrastructure is scarce.