Satellite-based business continuity solutions for operators in Africa

Brussels, Paris, 2nd November 2016 – BICS, a global wholesale carrier for voice, mobile data and capacity services, today announced the launch of its on-demand connectivity solution for African telecom operators, in partnership with Eutelsat, a world-leading satellite operator. Using BICS’ RouteFlex, the joint solution allows mobile operators and service providers to raise the bar of network availability and manage surges in bandwidth needs in challenging environments.

Robust back-up capacity is vital in countries where geographic and environmental conditions can jeopardise quality data and voice services. Being able to ensure the provision of high-quality services distinguishes operators from the competition. With RouteFlex, BICS has put business continuity at the heart of its offering to telcos with a system that automatically detects anomalies and reroutes critical traffic through the best available path.

The new solution offered by BICS and Eutelsat will enable telecom operators to offer their end users access to consistent, cost-effective and high-quality services at all times, even in the event of a terrestrial network outage. It achieves this by combining C-band capacity on the EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite with the BICS’ teleport in La Ciotat, France, its IP transit global network and an automated on-demand solution for IP traffic. The resulting service comes in three product variations: open community, closed community and occasional use.

“Through this new agreement with BICS, the pan-African footprint of our EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite will step in to provide business continuity for telecom operators and service providers in challenging environments,” said Michel Azibert, Eutelsat Chief Commercial and Development Officer. “Together we are committed to ensuring end-user satisfaction, and this cost-effective, unique on-demand solution will automatically secure customer traffic to protect their services and reputation for Quality of Service.”

“BICS is dedicated to supporting customers across the African continent, particularly the 30% of countries that are landlocked and often depend on poor terrestrial connectivity”, said Johan Wouters, VP Capacity Business Unit, Operations and Customer Services at BICS. “In countries with limited access to submarine cables, which are often prone to damage or incidents, RouteFlex can also change the way operators use satellite to back up their services.”