Paratus Group, a full-service network that spans the African continent and connects international customers, announced its expansion into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Together with Global Broadband Solution (GBS), a local Internet service provider based in the DRC, it won the tender to activate 620 kilometers of fiber optic network links. The network spans the railway line between Muanda in the west and the capital Kinshasa, passing through six towns along the way.
Paratus and GBS have established FAST Congo, an entity that will deliver, operate and maintain the network link under an exclusive 15-year licensing contract. Earlier this week, a DRC fibre link deal with FAST Congo was officially signed and announced by SOCOF (Societe Congolaise de Fibre Optique), the government entity The DRC fibre link deal with FAST Congo was officially signed and announced by SOCOF (Societe Congolaise de Fibre Optique), the government entity established to develop telecommunications infrastructure and equipment in the DRC.
The Paratus/GBS consortium entered into a strategic public-private partnership with SOCOF to activate, operate and maintain the fiber optic highway. The fiber optic highway itself was installed and funded by the World Bank.
By adding the Democratic Republic of Congo to its terrestrial network, Paratus says it now has operational offices in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, and provides ICT network solutions, satellite connectivity and infrastructure in more than 28 African countries.
Its unique and continuous footprint in Africa now includes not only offices in seven SADC countries, but also four data centers; five satellite transmission stations with 6,000 customer sites; the Google Equiano Cable landing station in Namibia; an expanded network in more than 30 African countries with services focused on satellite connectivity; and international Points of Presence (PoP) in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.
