Telkom Business Mobile accelerates convergence plans

South African telecommunications operator Telkom today launch Telkom Business Mobile, aimed at corporate business clients.

The new Telkom Business Mobile offering will incorporate fixed line and mobile services.

Speaking at the launch today, in Newtown, Johannesburg, South Africa, Telkom CEO Nombulelo Moholi said the launch signified a start of new things and a fresh approach to Telkom’s mobility offering.

“Telkom has developed itself and is not the same,” she emphasised.

According to Armando Cabral, a McKinsey International executive, Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) is driving productivity and creating opportunities for innovation.

“Convergence between fixed and mobile and between telecom and IT is here to stay, driven by deep technological changes and new business models. Corporations can benefit from these developments through innovative solutions that reduce costs,” says Cabral.

Convergence

“Telkom has for a long time powered South African business. Telkom plans to lead in convergence and fixed cloud,” adds Brian Armstrong, Telkom Business MD.

“South African businesses striving towards increased productivity and efficiency seek the convenience of both fixed-line and mobile communications,” says Armstrong.

“Employees can spend up to 40% of their time away from their desks, complicating communication needs and draining productivity.”

According to Telkom, research has shown that more than 80% of mobile calls are made from a fixed location.

While current mobile offerings include bundled voice and data offerings none include the fixed line component to create a true fixed line convergence offering, a Telkom statement indicates.

Telkom’s vast fixed line infrastructure will enable it to be the first operator to bundle mobile communications with its existing fixed line offerings for the enterprise and small business market.

“Telkom Business Mobile will combine the best aspects of both its fixed and mobile communication services into a single product range, paving the way towards seamless connectivity between fixed and wireless networks,” says Armstrong.

3 phase convergence journey

Telkom Business Mobile’s first phase will comprise mobile voice, data, messaging and value added services.

The second phase of Telkom’s journey towards fixed mobile convergence will include commercially bundling fixed and mobile voice and data services.

The third phase is designed to offer an integrated converged mobile and fixed product range including unified communication features.

“Telkom is one of very few players ready to take advantage of convergence opportunities, meaning fixed-mobile convergence and IT-telecoms convergence.”

“We now have all the critical ingredients for true convergence: a strong fixed-line business that no one else can match, a growing mobile business and a leading data centre business,” says Armstrong.

Bontle Moeng