Internet Solutions sells fibre assets to Link Africa

Wholesale fibre telecommunications network provider Link Africa said on Wednesday that is has acquired additional nationwide fibre-optic network infrastructure from a “leading Internet service provider” that gives it more than 400 points of presence across South Africa.

Though Link Africa didn’t disclose who it was buying the assets from — apparently because of confidentiality — TechCentral has learnt that it is buying them from Internet Solutions, a company in the Dimension Data stable.

Reached for comment on the sale, Internet Solutions spokeswoman Nicki Hall confirmed that it had sold the assets to Link Africa for an undisclosed sum.

“The transaction is in line with the company’s strategy to disinvest in certain layer-1 and -2 assets as it refocuses its investments to software-defined technologies,” Hall said.

“The company will continue to provide fibre services to its clients through its strategic partnerships with Link Africa and other fibre providers,” she added.

Link Africa said in its statement that the transaction, which is effective from 6 December, extends its fibre network reach to 8 500km. This, it said, makes it “one of South Africa’s biggest fibre network providers alongside the likes of Openserve, Dark Fibre Africa and Liquid Telecom”.

Expansion

The deal provides a platform for Link Africa clients to expand cellular coverage in metropolitan and major towns across all provinces, said CEO Terence Moodley. It will also improve its fibre coverage in most major commercial and retail centres.

“This deal also positions Link Africa in a strategically excellent position as 5G and the government-supported wholesale open-access network looms ever larger on the horizon,” Moodley said.  — (c) 2019 NewsCentral Media