Internet Solutions, the leading pan-African telecoms services provider, has confirmed that its intended acquisition of the business of MWEB Connect (Pty) Ltd., through parent Dimension Data (Pty) Ltd., has been concluded. This follows the announcement by IS in December last year that the company had entered an agreement to acquire the business of MWEB Connect, which is one of South Africa’s largest consumer Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
The acquisition presents IS with exciting opportunities for growth through MWEB’s established customer base, respected brand and experience as a consumer-facing ISP.
Concluding the deal means that IS now extends the advantage of its infrastructure, people and platforms to the dynamic and growing consumer segment in South Africa. Internet Solutions already has an established presence in the SME, enterprise and wholesale segments.
Managing Director of IS, Saki Missaikos says: “Quality connectivity in a truly digital world is key to delivering excellent customer experience. Our community is the African community and our objective is to ensure that this community is connected to the world. Both companies have a common vision of providing seamless connectivity for the African consumer at home, on the move, in the office and in public spaces and we look forward to welcoming MWEB employees to IS and the broader Dimension Data family.”
This transaction is in line with the IS approach of acquiring successful companies that bring with them market share, specialisation but also alignment with the existing culture and people of IS.
“Consider that some consumers have faster fibre connections at home than many companies and other consumers have no at-home connectivity but actively make use of mobile, free and premium public Wi-Fi. Some are not content with a modest broadband connection and some South Africans still have no access to the Internet at all,” he says.
“We cannot hope to seamlessly connect the country by compartmentalising technology or demand for connectivity by segment and we cannot offer one-size-fits-all products and services.”
“Instead, our technology and engineering expertise, next-generation network and data-centre infrastructure is the backbone of current and future service offerings tailored to each segment – SME, enterprise, wholesale and now consumer as well.”
With all preconditions of the transaction now met, work begins on integrating the two companies, a process that includes providing MWEB with access to new services and talent from across the IS ecosystem.
Missaikos says that client experience is a priority, as is minimal disruption and inconvenience to employees, suppliers and clients.
“It’s business as usual until it gets even better,” he says. “We look forward to introducing new consumer products and experiences to the industry and public in the very near future.”
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