CC image courtesy of @fran on Flickr
Orange Kenya has announced it will connect an additional 200 buildings in Nairobi to its Multi-Services Access Nodes (MSAN) next generation switches, a move that will enhance network reliability and reduce operational expenditure caused by vandalism.
The Pambazuka transformational programme, the project started in 2009 at a cost of KSh1.4 billion (US$16 million), will involve replacing transport copper cabling with fibre infrastructure.
Fibre optic requires less time to restore in addition to having redundancy of service factored into its last mile component.
Orange has already migrated its biggest switch centre, which was officially opened by Nairobi governor Evans Kidero today, the Milimani Exchange and the entire Upper Hill area of Nairobi. 500 buildings countrywide are also on the infrastructure facilitated by the 25 regional switches included in the migration.
During the opening Kidero lauded the move and pledged the support of his office to connectivity of more buildings in Nairobi by the company.
Orange Kenya chief executive officer Mickael Ghossein said the main objective of the programme is to support the growth of the entire market chain in coping with dynamic ICT needs.
“We aim to build on best practices and benefits, thereby bringing a wealth of innovative products and services to the country,” he said.
Orange will soon be moving its second biggest switch in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
“Nairobi constitutes about 70 per cent of our business market; with the new infrastructure, we have 99.5 per cent uptime reliability and we are able to re-connect our customers within 24 hours,” said Ghossein.
