AccessKenya Upgrades Wireless Base Stations with MPLS

By Rajani Baburajan, TMCnet Contributor

AccessKenya Group, a technology provider in Kenya that offer advanced wide area network (WAN) solutions such as multi protocol label switching (MPLS), has just upgraded its wireless Base Stations (BTS) to fiber optic cable links as part of its strategy to increase bandwidth capacity by over 80 percent.

The initiative is part of the company’s efforts to deliver faster Internet speeds to customers over the next twelve months. Further, the wireless base station upgrade is part of the company’s larger plan to bolster Internet connectivity over vast regions and deliver versatile wide area network (WAN) solutions that grow in demand in the region. In recent years, the company has enhanced its WAN solutions with MPLS technology that bridges communication over expansive divides.

Since the launch of the drive, the company has upgraded about 20 base stations in areas including Kasarani, Lavington and Lower Kabete to fiber optic backhauls. It also aims to convert other systems serving AccessKenya clients in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and other major towns in the country.

"The conversion will enable us achieve up to 1 Gigabit bandwidth, up from the maximum 200 Mbps delivered on wireless backhaul," said Cyril Oluoch, AccessKenya Group network manager, in a statement.

"This will not only guarantee better speeds for our clients but also deliver upgraded capacities for more customers," Oluoch added.

The company is also keen to leverage the fiber network to deliver more value added services (VAS) in order to gain a competitive edge in the market, added Jonathan Somen, group managing director, AccessKenya Group.

"We believe we are a step ahead of our competition in innovation and we are working tirelessly to translate this into tangible business results that will reflect in our books," said Somen.

The network upgrade will also help AccessKenya cap licensing related costs by over 50 percent and allow for greater profit margins to be seen as well as reduced operational expenses.

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