Vodacom Uses VectaStar

CAMBRIDGE, U.K. -- Vodacom Tanzania Limited has awarded a major new radio transmission equipment contract to Cambridge Broadband Limited. Vodacom Tanzania will be using Cambridge Broadband's VectaStar equipment to backhaul traffic from both mobile and data networks, including GSM, 3G and WiMAX sites.

The VectaStar wireless transmission equipment is currently being deployed, and the backhaul network will be in commercial operation before the end of 2006. Operating in the licensed 10.5GHz spectrum band, the network will cover the areas of Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and Mwanza. Vodacom selected VectaStar for both commercial and technical reasons, as Andre Barnard, Managing Executive for Operations in Vodacom Tanzania, explains: "A single VectaStar base station can simultaneously backhaul traffic from all types of fixed and mobile networks, providing us with a highly cost-effective platform compared to the previously used point-to-point radio systems. In addition, VectaStar's unique statistical multiplexing, Abis optimisation features and point-to-multipoint architecture maximise the amount of traffic that can be carried and make the best use possible of the available radio spectrum."

Another commercial reason Vodacom Tanzania selected Cambridge Broadband was the company's ability to deliver the solution in a timely manner, as Bjorn Krylander, Cambridge Broadband's Chief Executive Officer, explains: "We are providing the backhaul component of Vodacom's network, and our equipment needs to be integrated into the network as a whole. Vodacom therefore needed a solution that could be delivered on time as well as to budget. We are pleased that our responsiveness in this area is another reason for Vodacom to select Cambridge Broadband, on top of VectaStar's technical performance."

He goes on to add: "We are thrilled to be working with such a market-leading and well-respected company within the worldwide Vodafone Group, and we look forward to continuing to build on the success of our relationship to date."

Vodacom Pty. Ltd.