Tata Comm expands reach in Africa with Seacom

MUMBAI, INDIA: Tata Communications, a provider in telecommunication services, announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Seacom Cable System, an Africa-based submarine communications cable provider, to expands its reach in Africa.

The Seacom Cable System enables Tata Communications to provide fully integrated network services from South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya to its network in Europe, Asia and India, said a press release.

“Through this major infrastructure build out and our expertise in undersea cable operations, Tata Communications is uniquely positioned to provide efficient and experienced management,” said Byron Clatterbuck, senior vice president, global transmission services, Tata Communications.

He added that as a global service provider they are able to provide end-to-end solutions in India, Europe and South Africa, as well as onward connectivity to major business destinations in the United States and Asia.

Tata Communications operates the landing point in Mumbai while Neotel would manage the landing point in the South Africa. As a result of this, the company can provide seamless connectivity between the Seacom and the Tata Communications global network, along with Neotel's converged network in South Africa, the release said.

“Prior to the development of this cable system a majority of East Africa relied on small and expensive satellite circuits to meet their international network requirements, ” said Brian Herlihy, president of Seacom.

Through Seacom, Tata Communication is able to expand the reach of the Tata Global Network (TGN) to destinations on the East Coast of Africa.

Additionally, the Seacom cable system would strengthen Tata Communications' IP and MPLS services, that are primed for significant growth in the rapidly growing region, the release said.

Seacom and Tata Communications are planning for the system to be ready for service by June 2009, the release added.