In another significant move to strengthen customer focus through a more flexible and agile operating model, Telkom Group’s Openserve wholesale and networks division has announced that it is peering at Africa’s largest Internet eXchange Point (IXP), NAPAfrica. By Staff Writer
As Africa’s largest IXP, NAPAfrica is four times the combined size of all the continents’ exchanges and regionally services multiple countries included South Africa. Its rapid growth has proven that peering exchanges are a much-needed facility in the African Internet ecosystem.
Based within Teraco, Africa’s largest vendor-neutral data centre, NAPAfrica is excited to offer Openserve access to its lower cost and superior usage experience.
Lex van Wyk, CEO at Teraco, says the Openserve decision to peer is in keeping with the broader evolution of a deregulating market and will assist the Telkom Group to deliver on its promises to make a significant impact on the way the company provides open access broadband to all South Africans.
“As a country, we are still grappling with a digital divide and Openserve’s decision to peer will undoubtedly assist them to deliver increased innovation and more choice, ultimately increasing broadband access.”
Van Wyk says that NAPAfrica is steadfast in its commitment to growing the sub-Saharan Internet exchange and become a recognised global player. A major reason for its success is its impressive community, which includes five of the largest content providers globally and over 280 members with 80 gbps of traffic.
Openserve is a distinct business unit within the Telkom, which was formed as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen customer focus through a more flexible and agile operating model.
As a stand-alone business unit within Telkom, Openserve is autonomous and responsible for its own profit and loss account.
“Openserve, as a member of NAPAfrica, is now able to benefit from the existing client base at the IXP, as well as the other services offered by Teraco. The benefits of peering at NAPAfrica go beyond pricing or convenience, it is a strategic decision that holds immense value for each member. There is no doubt that being part of this impressive local and international network will assist Openserve to grow its business successfully,” said van Wyk.
