As part of the deal, yuMobile will have access to Tata’s vast voice infrastructure network, and with an increase in competitive rates, Tata’s presence is expected to provide further competition in the market. For Tata, it gives the company another access into rapidly growing voice services in Africa generated by the continuing rise of mobile subscribers in the region.
“We understand the importance of tying up with partners who can deliver the best in their field of expertise,” said Madhur Taneja, country manager at yuMobile. “Having access to Tata Communications’ extensive global network and advanced voice traffic management tools allow us to focus on our core business and the latest mobile technology advancements, giving us the competitive edge in the booming African mobile market.”
Tata said the deal allows yuMobile to minimise costs, and enable the company to focus on key growth areas in the African market, while giving the company a financial backbone that will not be compromised in the event of misroutes or poor management of international voice routing.
Michel Guyot, president of global voice solutions at Tata added: "Becoming yuMobile's sole provider for international voice termination is a unique deal for us in Africa. Africa represents one of the strongest growth opportunities in the voice sector and our experience in the region means that we are ideally placed to help yuMobile build its business in Kenya.”
Research consultancy company Ovum reports there were over 550 million mobile connections in Africa in 2010, and it predicts this will rise to just below one billion by 2016.
