Vocus to Acquire Challenge Networks

Vocus has entered into an agreement to acquire Challenge Networks, focusing its strategy on providing secure and high-capacity connectivity to Australian enterprise and government customers through its extensive network infrastructure of national fiber, satellite, and now wireless.

Highlights

  • This expansion into wireless networks aligns with Vocus's USD 1 billion investment strategy.
  • Challenge Networks is a leader in private LTE/5G networks.
  • With the acquisition of Challenge Networks, Vocus will have the ability to construct more private LTE and 5G networks for its customers.

Follow Us

Vocus to Acquire Challenge Networks

Vocus, Australia's specialist fibre and network solutions provider, announced that Challenge Networks, its long-time partner and a market leader in designing and deploying private mobile networks, will become part of Vocus. Vocus has entered into an agreement to acquire Challenge Networks, focusing its strategy on providing secure and high-capacity connectivity to Australian enterprise and government customers - wherever they are - through its national fibre, satellite, and now wireless network infrastructure.




This expansion into wireless networks aligns with Vocus's USD 1 billion investment strategy, which includes upgrading its existing network and deploying new fiber infrastructure, including the Horizon and Highclere projects in north west of  Australia.

Also Read: Bharti Airtel Sets Up Private 5G Network for Bosch

The acquisition follows the launch of Vocus Satellite - Starlink in December after Vocus signed a deal with Starlink to offer low earth orbit satellite (LEO) services to enterprise and government customers across Australia.

Challenge Networks

Challenge Networks is a leader in private LTE/5G networks, specialising in designing, deploying, and operating secure and reliable private 4G and 5G networks for customers who need high-capacity wireless coverage to support their operational technology (OT) needs on their premises.

Andrew Wildblood, Vocus Chief Executive – Enterprise & Government, said: "Challenge Networks' expertise in deploying private LTE is a perfect match for Vocus' extensive experience supporting Australia's government, defence, utilities, and resources sector customers with our fibre network and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite capability - both of which provide coverage in areas others don't."

"Through this acquisition, Vocus will be able to provide fibre or LEO satellite connectivity to the perimeter of a site, and then through a private LTE network, provide campus-wide wireless connectivity for applications such as autonomous vehicles, IoT sensors, building management systems, voice calls, push-to-talk devices, smartphones, tablets, and computers anywhere on the site."

Challenge Networks co-founder Simon Lardner will join the Vocus business along with Challenge Networks staff. Wireless industry veteran and Challenge Networks co-founder Jack Smyth will retire from the business.

Also Read: Verizon Deploys Private 5G at the Smart Factory of Deloitte

Mr Lardner said, "Private LTE and 5G puts the control, coverage, reliability and performance characteristics of mobile networks in the hands of companies that really need dedicated, mission-critical communication, without having to compete for network resources with public users."

"We design, build and operate networks that are well dimensioned for a site to give optimal coverage and performance – even in remote locations such as the Pilbara, or off-shore platforms at sea," he said.

Private LTE and 5G Networks as Fully Managed Service

With the acquisition of Challenge Networks, Vocus will have the ability to build more private LTE and 5G networks for its customers and offer a fully managed service, with service-billed basis rather than the customer funding the infrastructure. This acquisition will provide Vocus with a significant holding of the mobile spectrum, specifically concentrated in resource-rich geographic areas such as Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. This will allow Vocus to deploy private mobile networks to companies with operational technology needs in these regions quickly and with superior mobile service levels and bandwidth utilisation, bypassing regulatory delays.

Also Read: BSNL Partners With Echelon Edge for Setting up Private 5G Networks

Private Networks technology is ideal for industry sectors such as mining, oil and gas, public safety, defence, utilities and renewable energy. As part of its wider network and product offering, Vocus will now integrate full turnkey private mobile network capability, including site survey, spectrum planning, network design, RF engineering, vendor selection, procurement, delivery, acceptance testing and ongoing service operation and network assurance.

"Vocus is looking forward to extending our proven and consistent design methodology, providing engineering excellence and highly customised solutions into the mobile domain," said Andrew Wildblood.

Reported By

Telecom Analyst

Passionately following the Indian #Telecom Industry for over a decade from Business, Consumer and a Technical perspective. My primary focus area is Consumer & Digital Experience.

Recent Comments

Faraz :

Does Bharti Hexacom provide Airtel 5G services in N.E and Rajasthan Or Both are offering 5G seperately ? Who bought…

Bharti Hexacom IPO Set for April 3, TCIL to Sell…

Faraz :

Nice.. & BSNL 60 Mbps is even perfect plan for many if there are more than 5 devices connected. Many…

BSNL 60 Mbps Plan is Likely One of the Best…

Faraz :

Budget phones have degraded more than any other budget phones since pandemic. They are still selling some craps like Helio…

POCO C61 to Launch on March 26, 2024

shivraj roy :

i feel Vi has improved than what it was in 2022 i usually get around 8-10mbps in very heavily dense…

5G Users Consuming 3.6 Times More Data than 4G Users…

biswadeepmondal :

JioAir Fiber is working very well in KPA & HLR. Sadly they don't have any data only plan.

REP: Airtel Expands Network Footprint in Bankura District of West…

Load More
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments