Convergence Partners Chairman, Andile Ngcaba, was named as TechCentral’s newsmaker of 2011 for his significant impact on South Africa’s technology sector over the past 12 months, topping an impressive list consisting of Pieter Uys, Mamodupi Mohlala, Karel Pienaar, Robert Gumede, Roy Padayachie, Lars Reichelt, Michael Jordaan, Pinky Moholi and Mteto Nyati.
Convergence Partners successfully participated as a sponsor and exhibitor at the 14th annual AfricaCom Conference, held in Cape Town on 9 and 10 November 2011. AfricaCom is the largest communications conference and exhibition on the Continent, gathering together more than 5,000 telecoms decision-makers. This is the second year that Convergence Partners has exhibited at the conference.
Exhibiting on the Convergence Partners’ stand was Comsol, FibreCo, Plessey and SEACOM with each of the companies presenting their offerings in the communications infrastructure space.
The International Institute of Communications (IIC) announced on 3 October 2011, the launch of a South African IIC chapter. The announcement was made at their annual conference held in Johannesburg. The theme of the conference, co-hosted by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA), is: “Trends in Global Communications: Making Digital Society a Universal Reality.”
FibreCo Telecommunications (“FibreCo”), a joint venture between Cell C, Convergence Partners and Internet Solutions, announced the awarding of a contract for construction of its nation-wide open-access fibre optic network. FibreCo’s objective is to facilitate affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access for South African citizens and businesses.
The rise of YouTube, social media and other IP-based multi-media content delivery platforms globally and in Africa continues to drive the demand for broadband infrastructure. In order to meet the needs of multimedia content in the form of 3D and HD video, video conferencing, music and the social media explosion sweeping the African continent there has been a surge in the roll out of fibre optic networks.
This is according to Andile Ngcaba, founder and chairman of Convergence Partners, who spoke at a seminar arranged by Datanet Infrastructure Group in conjunction with the international Fibre Optic Association (FOA) and Triple Play Fibre Optic Solutions which provides FOA-approved fibre optic training.
On 22 April 2011
Intelsat S.A., the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services, announced that Arianespace successfully launched the Intelsat New Dawn satellite. The Ariane 5 vehicle lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana, at 5:37 p.m. (EDT), followed by spacecraft separation from the launch vehicle at 6:12 p.m. and signal acquisition at 6:29 p.m.
The Intelsat New Dawn satellite is owned by a joint venture between a consortium led by Convergence Partners and Intelsat. The satellite’s 28 C-band and 24 Ku-band 36 MHz transponder units are designed specifically to supply critical communications infrastructure for African customers, who have experienced exceptional growth along with the development of the region.
On Friday 25 February 2011, Communications Minister Roy Padayachie met with the leaders of 30 of SA’s top ICT players to discuss cooperation between government and private sector in order to create jobs and enhance growth. Chairman of Convergence Partners and Dimension Data, Andile Ngcaba, attended the roundtable discussions, which were aimed at developing a 2020 vision for the South African ICT sector. Andile noted that applications and software are central to the ICT ecosystem and that opportunities exist for innovation and development in these fields. The potential for job creation opportunities would also arise from the production of new set top boxes, required for migration to digital television signal distribution in South Africa.
The Intelsat New Dawn satellite is scheduled to be launched on 29 March 2011 from Arianespace’s launch site in Kourou, French Guiana. Intelsat New Dawn is the first ever African private sector communications satellite.
A joint-venture between a consortium led by Convergence Partners and Intelsat S.A., the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services, the New Dawn satellite and its 28 C-band and 24 Ku-band 36 MHz transponder units are designed specifically to supply critical communications infrastructure for African customers. Operating from a geostationary orbital slot at 32.8 degrees East, Intelsat New Dawn will be ideally positioned to serve Africa through a payload optimized to deliver wireless backhaul, broadband and media content – the fastest growing satellite-based applications in Africa.
Tax incentives, a job-creation fund and digital TV migration are heralding a golden opportunity for the South African information, communications and technology (ICT) industry, according to the Chairman of Convergence Partners and Executive Chairman of Dimension Data Middle East and Africa.
Speaking after President Jacob Zuma delivered his State of the Nation address to Parliament on Thursday, Ngcaba said the measures announced meant that companies could confidently roll out infrastructure such as fibre-optic cables to improve connectivity in the country.
AfricaCom, the Continent’s premier communications event, took place in Cape Town on 10 and 11 November. Chairman Andile Ngcaba was a featured speaker on day 1, highlighting the opportunities & challenges facing ICT investors in Africa, and the Convergence Partners Group was proud to unveil its new stand (see pictures attached) – the first time we have exhibited at the event. The rationale behind this was to showcase the many young and exciting companies in the Group and give them access to the burgeoning African communications market, as represented by over 5000 attendees over the two days.
The Convergence Partners stand was a hive of activity for the duration of the event (especially when our gorgeous ladies served up some great cocktails at the end of day 1). Companies in the Convergence Partners stand that were formally exhibiting at AfricaCom included Seacom, Convergence Wireless Networks (comprising WiA and Intra), Intelsat New Dawn Satellite Project, Plessey, Comsol, Integrat, Skillpod Media, Bloodhound, Inala, Convergence Border Management Solutions, as well as the Convergence Partners Foundation.
AfircaCom also coincided with the media launch of Convergence Partners’ latest project, FibreCo (see below blog).
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