[Satellite News 01-10-12] African telecom Intersat Africa announced Jan. 10 that it has entered into a partnership agreement with teleport company Belgium Satellite Services (BSS) to expand their operations and service delivery in the Middle East and African markets. The partnership includes the formation of a joint sales, marketing and product development organization, and comes at a critical time for the continent as larger operators look to capitalize on emerging market investments.

   BSS was formed in the wake of the acquisition of Belgacom’s satellite services division in 2007. BSS Chairman Ajoy Khandheria said the combination of his company and Intersat could create a dynamic new force for the region.

   “BSS has been looking to expand into Africa and the Middle East through a strategic partner for some time now and we are delighted to have found the right synergy and drive in Intersat Africa, which has earned its reputation for providing reliable, stable and innovative solutions tailored to the African market,” Khandheria said in a statement. “BSS will benefit immensely by adding the capacity to fully provide concept to complete solutions which has been the focus in our telecoms and IT convergence projects in Asia and the Satcom business at a global level.”

   BSS said it sought the partnership to deepen its international footprint, create a significant presence in Africa and the Middle East and increase its range of data connectivity solutions.

“With the experience of BSS, Intersat will be able to provide end-to-end GSM backhaul and DTH broadcasting solutions in the region,” BSS CEO Nitin Dhawan said in a statement. “The partnership will give our customers improved access to the dynamic satellite services markets in Africa and the Middle East and is an important strategic step for BSS.”

   Intersat Africa Co-Founder and CEO Abdul Bakhrani said both companies share a reputation for being customer-focused and service-based. “Intersat was built by Africans based on a strong commitment to provide affordable and reliable Internet and communications services,” Bakhrani said. “The combination of our two companies will solidify our ability to provide fast, responsive and flexible solutions for our customers in Africa and the Middle East through an enhanced infrastructure, technical development and marketing coverage.”

   Bakhrani has been a strong supportive voice for satellite potential in Africa. In a previous interview with Satellite News, Bakhrani said he was unfazed by the hype that saturated the market during the past few years about the arrival of submarine fiber to the East Coast of Africa.

   “In reality, submarine fiber has been very challenging for stakeholders in the terrestrial delivery methods because the last mile has always been difficult to implement due to poor infrastructure outside the major urban areas,” said Bakhrani. “The frequent press articles and the media interest in the arrival of the submarine fiber has branded Internet as “the fourth utility,” which every consumer would like to have access to together with power, water and telephone.”

   Bakhrani sees the major challenges for Africa continuing in the realm of consumer satellite broadband. “The broadband consumer has to be sensitized on the benefits of satellite, since satellite Internet or VSAT has always been perceived as very costly,” he said. “Our business philosophy has always been to partner with high-value satellite operators and service providers … In Africa, when you launch an innovative product, you have to get it right at the first go in order to be successful. There is never a second chance.”