Gemini Communications Enters African WiMAX Market

Chennai based Gemini Communication Ltd (GCL) has announced that the company has acquired 100% stake in African telecom and internet services provider Rosy Blue Wireless (RBW). RBW is a potential operator going to roll out 4th generation wireless network in African continent.

For last more than 2 years, Gemini has been providing technical support to RBW which is actually a part of the Antwerp-based diamond jeweler Rosy Blue Group (brand name Orra).  RBW is present in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique through joint ventures, which is branded as Morse Communications, where RBW holds 60 per cent stake and rest are held by local partners.

Morse Communications have acquired WiMax spectrum license with channel space of 30 MHz slot in these three countries. The rollout of entire WiMAX network will be done by PointRed Telecom, a 100%-owned Gemini Communications subsidiary.

“This acquisition is an exciting step in our growth strategy and offers tremendous growth potential. We have close association with RBW and we look forward to develop similar collaborations with them in the African territories in future also,” as quoted by Gemini Communication MD Krishna B.

Though the company did not disclose the financial details of the deal, experts calculate it could be around USD 20 million.

Started in 1991, Rs 270 crore-Gemini Communication (GCL) is a telecom and network integration company, and its product subsidiary mobile WiMAX equipment manufacturer Point Red Telecom, bagged Rs 435 crore contract from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for the deployment of mobile WiMAX application in India. Gemini’s other subsidiaries include Sanat Technologies, a storage solution startup and Veeras Infotek, a network security solutions company.

It should be reminded that Indian players target Africa for a time as there are lots of scopes. Bharti Airtel, Spice Global & Essar Telecom already has their footprints in Africa.