MDXi, the Nigerian Data Centre company says it has closed a $20 million deal with British satellite operator, Avanti Communications Group Plc to deepen broadband penetration in Nigeria.
Under the plan, Avanti will host and manage the satellite operator’s in-country gateway earth station and also ensure data from HYLAS 4 Ka-band satellite was delivered efficiently in-country and interconnected with other networks.
MDXi data center, a fully owned unit of MainOne, owners of the MainOne intercontinental undersea cable says the satellite operator would take advantage of its extensive coverage to extend its market reach across nine countries in West Africa
According to a joint statement by the companies, the partnership had already delivered the Avanti’s first GES in West Africa hosted at the MDXI’s facility in Lagos.
The companies also say that the HYLAS 4 Ka-band satellite will deliver high throughput satellite connectivity to complement the country’s existing fibre-optic networks, ensuring access is available to enable high-speed Internet everywhere in even to the most remote or rural locations in Nigeria.
Applications that will be supported by Avanti’s 3rd Ka-band satellite include satellite broadband services for homes and Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs), rural schools, large enterprises and government agencies and cellular backhaul for 2G, 3G and 4G mobile networks.
Speaking on the partnership, Gbenga Adegbiji, General Manager of MDXI, says that the Nigerian data centre company is “working closely with Avanti.”
“Our engineers have already implemented a bespoke co-location solution to support the largest Gateway Earth Station in the region with uninterrupted power, connectivity and security to ensure 24/7 operations”, he says.
He adds that “while ineffective distribution of available bandwidth inland continues to hinder Nigeria’s broadband targets, our partnership with Avanti provides Nigeria the opportunity to make accelerated broadband expansion possible via satellite, to overcome last-mile gaps experienced in fiber infrastructure and enable the attainment of 30 per cent broadband penetration target in the National Broadband Plan.”
On his part Dave Bestwick, Chief Technology Officer, Avanti Communications, explained that the project would guarantee employment opportunities in the country , as well as enable a huge leap towards economic growth in the ICT sector in Nigeria.
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