NEWS
Airtel Africa Telesonic to provide fibre network services and data connectivity across Africa
Airtel Africa announced the launch of Airtel Africa Telesonic , a fibre bandwidth service , leveraging ground fibre assets and submarine cable systems to meet the growing demand for wholesale data in Africa , by offering comprehensive terrestrial fibre and submarine cable solutions . network of over 75,000 kilometres of terrestrial fibre across Airtel Africa ’ s 14 markets .
Plans are underway to establish local entities in key markets where Airtel Africa operates to oversee all fibre assets and manage the operational aspects of the wholesale business . The initiative is expected to have a long-term positive impact across Africa by improving the quality of life for communities and boosting national economies .
Telesonic currently has an extensive fibre network across the continent . It has also invested in the 2Africa submarine cable system which is poised to become the most comprehensive submarine cable across the continent and the Middle East region . 2Africa is the largest submarine cable interconnecting 33 countries in Africa , the Middle East and Europe .
Telesonic will offer products such as national and international leased line , dedicated Internet access , IP and IP transit services and multiprotocol label switching , MPLS services through its
Airtel Africa ’ s Group CEO , Segun Ogunsanya said : “ The establishment of Airtel Africa Telesonic Limited underscores Airtel Africa ’ s commitment to addressing Africa ’ s needs for the digital revolution by providing cutting-edge fibre-optic solutions that will empower businesses , education , healthcare , and communities at large .
“ No doubt , Africa is experiencing a digital revolution , with surging demand for data across various sectors especially by the continent ’ s growing youth population . With robust and scalable infrastructure , we aim to bridge the digital divide and unlock opportunities for innovation and economic growth . Our investment signifies not just a technological advancement but also a catalyst for progress , connecting people and ideas across borders .”
SearchWorks introduces BridgeMe , a web-based finance application to provide bridging finance
Bridging finance provides a stop-gap solution for businesses and individuals for a short to medium-term financial shortfall . SearchWorks , the country ’ s data aggregation platform , introduces BridgeMe , a web-based finance application which provides information and bridging finance services to individuals and to businesses across all industry sectors .
Sameer Kumandan
Sameer Kumandan , MD of SearchWorks said , “ By its very nature , bridging finance is often needed quickly and BridgeMe streamlines critical phases within the application process , making funds available more quickly and efficiently than through traditional channels .”
“ BridgeMe offers applicants a choice of financial service providers from which to choose according to the nature or purpose of the bridging finance they are looking for ,” says Kumandan .
Any individual or business looking for bridging finance simply creates an application and selects the financier for the quote that best suits their needs . The process is fully automated , and each application is reviewed and approved within 24 hours of submission . The system is fully transparent and generates email status updates enabling applicants to track their application through the system from submission to completion .
BridgeMe is meeting the needs of both individuals and organisations , with loans secured against existing assets , signed contracts and business income that is already invoiced .
Says Kumandan , “ BridgeMe offers short term loans to buyers , sellers and estate agents . BridgeMe smooths the transition period between signing a sale agreement and the proceeds being paid to the vendor , a mortgage being finalised for a buyer and commission being released to the agent .”
Through the BridgeMe platform , businesses can access finance up to R5 million , subject to credit approval with repayment terms ranging from six months to ten years . BridgeMe ’ s average five-day turnaround time from application to paying out of the loan is one of the fastest in the sector .
12 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com