Sicap, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Swisscom Mobile which provides software solutions for mobile operators, has opened a South African office in Johannesburg. The office strengthens the companys presence in the emerging African market and reinforces its commitment to its customers in the region.
Sicaps 2006 acquisition of French company, Swapcom, gave the company access to customers and local representatives in the region. For Swapcoms three founders, Philippe vial Grelier, Jean-Marc Truong and Olivier Graeff, who are now members of the Sicap executive team, the African region was always a very important growth market. With a representative office in Dakar, Senegal, Swapcom was able to quickly expand its African operation. With Sicaps additional resources, the regional office in Johannesburg will be opened in March, giving Sicap a base for further expansion into the African market.
Africas mobile telecommunications sector is booming, as consumer and business demand for communications increases, and the need for cost-effective and proven mobile infrastructure is growing in parallel. With an average mobile penetration of only 24%, Sicap says the African telecoms market will continue to experience significant growth as new subscribers sign up and mobile operators introduce new services. A lack of fixed line infrastructure means that mobile telephony is the only alternative.
“African mobile operators have needs that are unique to the market in which they operate says Sicap Business Development Executive Director Jean-Marc Truong. Low income subscribers present a significant challenge, and therefore our offering of flexible and cost-effective solutions is compelling to African mobile operators. Our subsidiary in South Africa will facilitate our integration into the African business market and allow us to better serve our customers and partners. It is integral to our African expansion plans, not only because the African mobile market has grown into one of the most expansive and interesting in the world, but also because there is an ever increasing demand for the type of solutions that Sicap offers.”