Gateway Communications is always keen to support those who are prepared to innovate – which accounts for much of the huge increases in demand for our network solutions.

Operators who have outsourced their network management to Gateway have discovered strategic and competitive advantages, strengthening their own market position and service delivery.

More than a leader
Gateway continues to be a specialist in supporting Africa’s telecommunications networks through comprehensive management and service provision across Africa, meeting the needs of operations in almost 30 countries.

Peter Gbedemah, Gateway’s CEO, says, “The explosive growth in mobile telecommunications is fundamentally changing the way Africans live their lives and run their businesses. There are massive opportunities for operators to grab their share of the market, but also great challenges in quickly creating connections where none exist.”

With regard to Gateway’s leadership in this communications revolution, Mr Gbedemah comments, “Our unique understanding of the diverse and fragmented nature of Africa and our expertise in satellite communications means it is an exciting time for us as we help to build the infrastructure for the future.”

Unlike our competitors, Gateway controls the design, implementation and management of the physical satellite network. Recently, we have completed ‘full service’ mobile communications projects in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Madagascar and Zambia.

Gateway holds the key to lower costs and higher quality
Effective backhaul strategies can deliver key gains in terms of profitability and lower capital and operational expenditure. Backhaul expense is typically one-fifth of a mobile network's costs. A report to be released by Pioneer Consulting in April 2007 (1) will indicate the continued significance of satellite backhaul especially in emerging economies.

Mobile operators in developing markets are turning to satellite backhaul. In fact, a recent NSR report (2) reveals that global cellular backhaul via satellite market is expected to surpass US$157mn by 2011. NSR analyst Claude Rousseau said recently, "The telephony market has shown how satellites provide a key infrastructure component to the operations of voice and data networks around the globe. Cellular backhaul is no different in that satellites build on
this legacy to offer an important link that supports the explosive growth of mobile networks.

There are obvious satellite capabilities such as reach and coverage that over the last decade have facilitated growth amongst cellular operators. Satellite connectivity can help cellular operators to overcome diverse geography, low population density, high capital expenditures and small market sizes. In particular, better compression techniques and traffic load management tools translate into increased satellite opportunities in Africa. Gateway Communications will continue to lead the way in maximising backhaul infrastructure for growth amongst Africa’s most innovative operators.

1 Wireless Backhaul 2007-2012: Role and Significance in Cellular Markets. Pioneer Consulting. April 2007.
2 Cellular Backhaul via Satellite: Extending the Reach of Mobile Networks. NSR. December 2006.