KISUMU, Kenya, Nov 12 – The entry of South African telecommunications giant MTN into the Kenya data sector will boost the East Africa regional connectivity by providing swift business solutions, Ministry of East African Cooperation Permanent Secretary David Nalo said on Friday.
Mr Nalo said collaboration of network systems will be important in promoting the East African Community integration especially in the field of commerce.
He said the EAC region requires a robust networked system that will connect all the five countries to enable them communicate effectively and promote business across the riparian states.
He said MTN will reduce costs incurred in travel to get some of the services due to its new innovation – virtual products – that will enable locals access services from the comfort of their offices.
"With the entry of MTN Business Kenya, we expect smooth movement in communication especially in the data space. I\’m aware that technologies like cloud computing and virtualisation are today critical in promoting shared services among inter-governmental departments like immigrations," he said.
MTN business has launched into the Kenyan market services after taking over operations of UUNET.
Speaking during MTN Kenya\’s EAC branding in Kisumu, Mr Nalo said the East African community member states should hold into the opportunities provided by MTN to promote business amongst them.
"The entry of MTN Business into Kenya, through acquisition of UUNET Kenya should not be perceived as a bottleneck to competition rather, an advantage to the MTN Business Kenya customers who will have an opportunity to access a wider variety of business solutions and applications," Mr Nalo said.
MTN Business managing director Tom Omariba said key structures and network transitions have been implemented to deliver standardised service and seamless integration for customers within the region.
He said this was officially in line with the MTN Business vision of driving industry competitiveness and giving its customers competitive advantages.
Mr Omariba said the company would continue playing within the data sphere and would carry Internet traffic from pan-African networks to the rest of the world by leveraging on MTN Business.
