Kenya Data Networks Invests KES320m in Network Upgrade
Kenya Data Networks (KDN) has contracted Israeli ECI Telecom, a global provider of network infrastructure, to upgrade its network as the company continues to improve services to its customers.
The KES320m (USD4m) contract covers the completion of all fibre rings, thus ensuring continuity and redundancy on all KDN networks. The upgrade will also include the deployment of a self-supporting, fully-meshed network that will be able to meet increased traffic and provide quality of service to all KDN network customers.
"This network upgrade, which is part of a larger KES2.8bn (USD35m) programme, has been put in place to ensure that our customers receive the quality of service that they are entitled to. We have seen an increase in fibre cuts and break downs in the past few months and are determined to improve our services in line with our core objectives of providing a world class technology infrastructure," said Mr. Rikus Matthyser, KDN Chief Executive Officer.
Once the upgrade has been completed, the network will have more capacity, resilience and flexibility that will incorporate user-friendly line switching and route selection so as to enable seamless data transmission.
The CEO further noted that the company is also investing significantly in an in-house team of fibre network engineers who are experts in cable installation, operation and maintenance to fully support the upgraded network.
Remarking on the upgrade, KDN’s Chief Technical Officer Mr. Bob Lafite said that all work conducted previously on the network will be re-evaluated and re-donewhere necessaryto ensure proper routing and splicing.
"Part of the upgrade includes the latest technology to improve the self-healing capability of the fibre network. This has been necessitated by the high number of sabotage and construction related cuts we experience daily," said Mr. Lafite.
AvielTenenbaum, ECI Telecom’s Head of Global Sales Marketing, said the company had already embarked on the project and was looking to work within the timelines set to deliver a quality service. The upgrade exercise is expected to last for three years and will result in better network security and response times to fibre cuts.
This article was originally posted on Africa ICT & Telecom Network
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