Avanti awarded contract with South Africa business chamber
Avanti Communications Group plc a leading provider of satellite data communications services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has signed a new contract with South Africa’s business chamber, Foundation for African Business and Consumer Services (FABCOS) and its new major business incubator programme, Microtelco e-ncubator.
Delivered via funding from South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the partnership will provide high speed satellite broadband to over 1,000 small and medium sized enterprises. The programme will be deployed extensively to businesses setting up in some of the remotest parts of South Africa, reaching a number of key sectors including retail, finance and agriculture.
Avanti boss David Williams, said, “Working hand-in-hand with FABCOS, its incubator and the South African government, this contract will deliver vital connectivity and training to the hundreds of businesses for whom broadband will power growth. FABCOS is acting today to bring the countless socio-economic benefits of broadband to its members. Avanti shows that no-one in South Africa needs to wait for tomorrow to get connected.”
Delivery of resilient broadband connectivity underpins the RSA government’s business growth strategy. Research demonstrates that SMEs are the building blocks of an economy: 91%** of the entities in South Africa are SMEs, of which 52–57% contribute to the country’s GDP. FABCOS’s Microtelco e-ncubator™ programme specifically nurtures small telecommunications companies, for which connectivity is a vital part of day to day operations.
According to Alan Campbell, Director of ICTGLOBE Technology Encubator (Pty) Ltd and National Treasurer General at FABCO thenew contract with Avanti is enable the delivery of resilient broadband at scale to its vast membership.
“Access to broadband has become as important as any other utility for businesses here to succeed. Indeed, it is an integral part of our incubation offering to our members. A huge opportunity exists for connected enterprises in Africa, and we are excited for what lies ahead with this significant satellite partnership”, he added