Wananchi Group, Cisco in major Triple-Play deal

Cisco announced today that the Wananchi Group, Africa’s pioneering provider of triple-play (broadband, multichannel cable television and voice telephony) and VSAT (broadband data and internet) services, has signed a contract for the purchase of Cisco network technology solutions and services in East Africa. The agreement is supported by Cisco Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco systems, specialising in providing effective financing solutions and a deep understanding of Cisco’s products, services and customer business requirements.

Wananchi group, currently the only triple-play operator in East Africa, will roll out its new services in nine countries in the eastern Africa region-Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Ethiopia, Sudan and Zambia. The contract (whose monetary value was not disclosed), will also enable the Wananchi Group to deploy Cisco’s integrated end-to-end network technology solutions, encompassing Cisco’s borderless networks, collaboration as well as data centre virtualisation solutions, as their customer base expands and technology advances.

In a telepresence session held simultaneously in London, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Paris, Paul Mountford, President for Cisco’s Emerging Markets said: “This agreement with Wananchi is significant for Cisco’s business in Africa because it demonstrates our strong business partnership and consultancy capabilities beyond just being an end-to-end network solutions technology provider and also shows how committed we are to this region and our customers. Wananchi Group has a very ambitious plan to take triple-play services and technology to hitherto experienced standards globally and we are glad that Cisco will be an integral part of this process”.

Mark Schneider, Group chairman, Wananchi Group said the entertainment market for both home and corporate customers in Africa as a whole continues to be reshaped in light of technological advancements and new industry partnerships.

“The Wananchi Group’s key objective is to expand our portfolio, enhance our commercial proposition, revenues and reputation. Cisco will help us to continuously deliver the necessary technology enhancements to our infrastructure to service our ever growing customer needs and remain at the forefront of delivering new and innovative services to our customers”, said Schneider.