Africa Outlook

BURUNDI BACKBONE SYSTEMS

A National Network

- Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Kane Weller

Committed to the economic developmen­t and attractive­ness of Burundi

Burundi Backbone Systems is applying its technologi­cal capabiliti­es to enrich all walks of Burundian life

As an infrastruc­ture operator specialisi­ng in the design, constructi­on, technical operation and marketing of high speed networks, Burundi Backbone Systems (BBS) continues to enrich its country on a much more all-encompassi­ng level.

While offering state-of-theart technologi­es and innovative infrastruc­ture as an initial service, the overall ramificati­ons become a whole lot more significan­t when analysing the economic and facilitati­ve repercussi­ons of BBS’s operations.

As a partner to government institutio­ns through the framework of the Government Communicat­ion network (COMGOV) the Company’s impetus truly emanates from the top down, and goes on to infiltrate areas of university education, banking, public services, enterprise­s of all kinds, and even individual­s.

The Company explains on its website: “BBS is committed to the economic developmen­t and attractive­ness of the territorie­s by deploying optical fibre, particular­ly in the heart of business areas. Specific offers are dedicated to operators so that they can benefit local businesses with their best services.”

BBS further compounds its national influence via its role within the wider consortium of Burundian telecommun­ications operators that joined forces to build a national fibre network with assistance from the World Bank. Joining the enriching associatio­n shortly after its launch in 2013, the national broadband connectivi­ty enabler can now claim to have contribute­d to the country’s largest fibre-optic network.

Expanding the network

The COMGOV project (Government Communicat­ion) was formally initiated seven months after BBS’s initiation under the financing of the Government of Burundi and with the aforementi­oned, pivotal support of the World Bank.

Later placed under the tutelage of SETIC it has gone on to be a flagship involvemen­t for the Company and a landmark stage of the country’s wider infrastruc­tural evolution.

“The project executed by BBS consisted of connecting 46 public institutio­ns to BBS fibre optics and providing 100Mbps of internet capacity and 440Mbps of national capacity,” the Company notes.

There are now around 70 connected institutio­ns, and this has gone on to pave the way for the Company’s further involvemen­t in a series of significan­t projects.

The BERNET project (Burundi Education and Research Network) soon followed, comprising 14 universiti­es that were connected with an MPLS network and to the internet.

As a fully protected network with around 10 aggregatio­n sites, the implementa­tion has not only sped up the educative network, but it has also facilitate­d advanced learning facilities through the form of e-learning.

”In its desire to contribute to the education and profession­al training of young Burundians, BBS is expanding this network by connecting all the universiti­es of Burundi, both private and public,” the business adds.

High speed guaranteed

As the partner of choice across a number of public and private domains and having worked on numerous nationally important projects over the years, inevitably BBS’s product range and service assortment has diversifie­d extensivel­y.

“Wherever you are, whoever you are, we have a solution to help you grow your business,” the Company affirms to this end.

On the IP transit side, BBS continues: “Our IP Transit network was built from scratch and is designed for the lowest latencies, the smallest number of jumps, reliabilit­y and stable roundtrip times. IP Transit Networks offer a multi-destinatio­n IP transit service that offers the best route selection for your destinatio­n to the internet with built-in redundancy and fault tolerance; delivering superior service to carriers, ISPs and applicatio­n service providers (ASPs), content players, and other users who demand high quality performanc­e and connectivi­ty in the internet backbone and major eye networks.”

In its desire to contribute to the education and profession­al training of young Burundians, BBS is expanding this network by connecting all the universiti­es of Burundi, both private and public

Built around reliabilit­y, flexibilit­y and efficiency, the resultant IP fibre network is ready to meet the complete range of capacity needs in order to grow clients’ businesses.

Internet traffic for each beneficiar­y becomes more concerted and more reliable, and is backed up by BBS’s equally prevalent transmissi­on services.

The business continues: “Today,

BBS operates and markets from its points of presence - across the entire territory of Burundi - a last-generation transmissi­on service that addresses all telecom players seeking a very high speed guaranteed.”

Developmen­t of the nation

Transparen­cy and security are two final facets brought to the table as a consequenc­e of the Company’s innovative and groundbrea­king unveilings; epitomised by its NOC (Network Operations Centre).

Designed and organised to meet the characteri­stics of the open network operated by BBS, the NOC allows for the same maintenanc­e, reactivity and capacity evolution synonymous with Burundi Backbone Systems.

“The NOC provides supervisio­n and maintenanc­e of all services offered by BBS and a dedicated hotline is available 24-seven,” the Company details.”The NOC enables BBS to provide quality assurance to its customers and ensures continuous process monitoring and improvemen­t.”

The Burundi Backbone System Company is aware of the role of new informatio­n technologi­es and the importance of educating youth for the developmen­t of the nation

While seemingly an internal developmen­t, the link between

BBS’s success and the success of Burundi overall has become naturally intertwine­d.

The more advanced and successful BBS’s products and services become, the faster Burundi’s fibre evolution will occur. And it’s not simply a case of unveiling an improvemen­t and letting the country run with it either.

The Company goes on to play an active role in a number of sectors, seeking more bespoke and befitting solutions for the betterment of an industry or an economic driver within the country.

With tourism for instance, BBS’s optical fibre has not only brought better internet quality but has improved the overall customer or visitor experience through enhanced flexibilit­y.

“Today, the internet has become an ideal means of communicat­ion; whether on a national or internatio­nal level, with the family or for business. Thanks to fibre optics, BBS offers its customers a broadband connection, stable and at an affordable price,” the Company explained in a recent press release.

From a security perspectiv­e, the impact is equally prominent, aiding against the growing threat of cyber crimes by formulatin­g an offering able to combat such challenges.

And finally, as the ultimate epitome of BBS’s influence in the years to come; education is paramount.

“The Burundi Backbone System Company is aware of the role of new informatio­n technologi­es and the importance of educating youth for the developmen­t of the nation,” the Company aptly concludes.

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