Tata Communications and Essar Telecom Kenya (yuMobile)have signed a deal where yuMobile will route all its international voice traffic through Tata Communications’ network. The partnership will allow yuMobile to tap into Tata Communications’ extensive and robust voice infrastructure, enabling it to deliver higher quality international calls at competitive rates to customers in Kenya.
Catherine Halsam, a wholesale telecoms analyst at Ovum noted that Ovum’s research shows that there were about 550 million mobile connections in Africa at the end of 2010 and they expect this number to almost double to just shy of 1 billion by 2016. Africa’s rapid telecoms awakening is all about rising demand driven by the falling costs of mobile connectivity and improved coverage.
Madhur Taneja, Country Manager, yuMobile added that by working with Tata Communications will enable yuMobile deliver higher quality call service to subscribers from now henceforth. Having access to Tata Communications’ extensive global network and advanced voice traffic management tools allows yuMobile to focus on their core business and the latest mobile technology advancements, to acquire the competitive edge in the booming African mobile market.
Tata Communications’ strategic voice traffic outsourcing and advanced voice traffic management tools will allow yuMobile to minimise the administrative burden and operational costs associated with managing an international voice interconnect organisation. It will also enable the company to focus on its core business and capitalise on the key growth areas in the African market.
yuMobile will benefit from Tata Communications’ scale and routing expertise as well competitive costs for international call termination. This stable cost structure will allow the company to roll out promotions to its customers without compromising on quality. Working with Tata Communications also eliminates the financial risks that could occur due to misroutes and the improper code & cost management associated with managing international voice.
