Spescom has entered into a strategic partnership with NewTelco GmbH to create NewTelco South Africa - a carrier-neutral co-location services provider. The new company takes advantage of telecoms liberalisation in South Africa and offers those local, regional and international carriers with a presence, or wanting to establish a presence, in South Africa an independent telecoms 'hub'.

Because the co-location centre is carrier-neutral, users are free to shop around among carriers present in the centre and find the one that best meets their requirements. They are not restricted by the limited services that any one carrier may provide. This will remove any commercial 'bias' that may exist in a carrier owned centre. NewTelco South Africa is set to launch into full operation in the second quarter of 2010.

Says Thomas Makore, of Spescom: "More than 80% of the voice traffic generated on the African continent goes through South Africa. This new facility will offer local, regional and international carriers a fast, cost efficient, carrier grade, reliable point of presence (PoP) in South Africa to switch customer traffic seamlessly and inexpensively in the region and provide a transparent connection to international destinations"

Previously, carriers operating in South Africa were forced to make use of the services of the incumbent carrier. The awarding of ECNS licenses now allows service providers to build their own network infrastructure and carry third parties' traffic. Spescom's license will be utilised by NewTelco South Africa in the provision of these co-location services.

Says Matthias Hartman of NewTelco GmbH: "With the arrival of deregulation, more international carriers, small and large, will be looking to establish a point of presence (PoP) in South Africa, effectively building a platform for their customers to interconnect directly with those using the services of local carriers. A carrier independent telecoms hub or 'market place' will drive competitiveness and give local and international carriers the flexibility to exploit the growing telecoms market."

Says Makore: "There is a definite cost benefit in making use of carrier neutral co-location services as customers will have a choice in terms of selecting long distance capacity, connectivity and negotiating price on traffic volumes. All that carriers need are a connection to our facility. They are then connected to the carrier of their choice by our SDH multiplexer service."