BIH CEO, Mr. Alan Boshwaen
Botswana Innovation Hub and ConceroTel (Pty) Ltd are pleased to announce signing the first lease agreement for private sector led development at the Botswana Innovation Hub Science and Technology Park. The signing of the lease is a culmination of Botswana Innovation Hubs continuing efforts to attract investments from innovative companies and institutions.
The agreement allows ConceroTel to establish a new satellite communications hub facility, data centre and network operations centre at the park. The company will also establish a small video conferencing facility for high-quality access to Gaborone based SME’s.
ConceroTel is a joint venture telecommunications company established in Botswana by ConceroTel of Australia and Decibel Enterprises of Botswana. The company directors are Mark Sprey (Chairman), Tiro Mosinyi (Managing) and Thuli Ntsatsi. The company aims to deliver low-cost, high availability ICT access services to bridge the digital divide in Botswana and launch into Sub-Saharan Africa. It offers satellite solutions that expand on existing terrestrial technologies such as fibre-optic, copper and wireless/radio technologies. This technology enables rapid deployment for rural and remote access.
ConceroTel Spokesperson, Thuli Ntsatsi says, “Delivery of equipment for setting up the satellite centre is scheduled to be completed by 31st August 2014 and the testing and live deployment of the first services available to customers during September, 2014.” Ntsatsi further said tenders for construction of the data and network operating centres will be issued in November, 2014.
He said the network operations centre will be twinned with their Australian sister company’s facility to exploit time differences for 24hrs managed network support. “This support is useful to customers such as mining companies and banks, whose services run around the clock,” he said.
Ntsatsi said Botswana Innovation Hub is located in a key part of Gaborone where vital industry is located. He cited the Diamond Technology Park as well as the impetus given to the Science Park as examples for the need for high speed reliable communications services for data centres.
Speaking ahead of the signing of the lease, Botswana Innovation Hub CEO, Alan Boshwaen said, “Botswana Innovation Hub acts as a catalyst in the development of ICT industry and creation of an innovation supporting ecosystem.” Botswana Innovation Hub supports the development of innovative local content, skills and job creation as part of the national ICT development strategy and e-government.
Boshwaen said, “The signing of this lease agreement further signals a milestone in the Botswana Innovation Hub specialised real estate product and service offering for companies that wish to set up at the park.”