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Aviat-Ubuntu raises the bar in the telecommunications sector [ITWeb]
[March 14, 2014]

Aviat-Ubuntu raises the bar in the telecommunications sector [ITWeb]


(ITWeb Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Leading global telecoms company, Aviat Networks, and local ICT and telecoms company, Ubuntu Technologies, have announced a joint venture that is set to shake up the telecommunications sector in South Africa. Aviat-Ubuntu Telecommunications brings together Ubuntu's 17 years of local experience and Aviat's 50-year technological edge as a worldwide provider of microwave network solutions. The new entity will provide best-of-breed products and a full range of service options to both public and private telecommunications operators.



The venture came about when Nasdaq-listed Aviat Networks Inc. set out to find a BEE partner that would enable it to expand its reach into the South African market, and it creates a new class of telecommunications company that will offer a cutting-edge combination of local and international expertise. Both companies have a combined revenue of over R6 billion.

Ubuntu's knowledge of local needs comes from its experience in providing wireless, networking, data centre and client services and solutions primarily to the public sector. The company assists government departments, state-owned entities and selected corporate clients to meet their organisational objectives by designing, implementing, managing and supporting ICT infrastructure services and solutions. This experience is backed by the industry recognition that Ubuntu has gained in the last year, demonstrated by a string of awards that the company has picked up such as the Dell Partner of the Year South Africa 2013, Avaya Partner of the Year 2013, Avaya Video and Collaboration Partner of the year 2013, VMware Rising Star Southern Africa 2012, VMware EMEA Upcoming Partner of the year 2013.


Aviat, on the other hand, has a strong track record in the telecommunication sector and, in a survey conducted by California-based Infonetics Research, was recognised as the top microwave specialist by network providers around the world. The company was rated number one for technology innovation, security, product reliability, price-to-performance ratio, total cost of ownership (TCO), solution breadth, service, support, management software and financial stability. These rankings were based on a significant sample of 25 telecom operators representing 37% of worldwide capital expenditure and revenue in 2012.

"Aviat-Ubuntu intends to be a force to be reckoned with in the telecommunications sector," says Ubuntu CEO, Wandile Bereng. "By joining forces, our two companies will be able to compete aggressively in the telecommunication sector, and will be able to expand our client base significantly." Aviat-Ubuntu is jointly owned by Ubuntu Technology and Aviat Networks, and has significant black representation at board level. The new company will be headed up by CEO Allen Tshabangu, who has over 20 years of business experience. He has worked for companies such as the Standard Bank Group, M-Net and Norwich Investments, where he distinguished himself in the management of unit trusts, pension funds, life insurance funds and private equity investments. He has also been involved in some notable mergers and acquisitions', including the acquisitions of Sandton City, the V&A Waterfront and Canal Walk, is a non-executive director of Escalator Capital, and a director and board member of Ubuntu Technologies.

"Aviat-Ubuntu aims to support the development of the country's economic potential by leveraging off the unique expertise of the two partners," says Tshabangu. "The new company is uniquely positioned to provide end-to-end solutions, and also to compete for market share based on improved efficiencies that will accrue from economies of scale. The company is poised to take a lead in providing leading telecommunications solutions.

"We're the new players on the telecommunications block, and we aim to make our presence felt in a way that will benefit all operators and the South African people as a whole." (c) 2014 ITWeb Limited. All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info, an Albawaba.com company

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