By MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG -INDEPENDENT voice and data provider, Otel, has acquired fixed and wireless broadband internet service provider (ISP), Jireh Technologies.
The value of the transaction was not disclosed but Otel believes Jireh’s resources will help the company achieve its vision of becoming a fully-fledged ICT systems integrator while continuing to add value to its business customers.
Rad Jankovic, Otel Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said the strategic acquisition of Jireh not only supported Otel’s growth strategy but had an additional and welcome client focus through the access to last mile services that it provides.
“This will help drive down data prices which is a current national ICT imperative,” said Jankovic.
Following the acquisition, Jireh founding CEO, Anthony Engelbrecht, will transition to the role of Otel Chief Technical Officer (CTO) while simultaneously becoming an Otel shareholder.
Engelbrecht said he had always been a huge supporter of Otel’s vision to drive down end user data costs while at the same time providing resellers with unique business opportunities.
“It made sense to convert my admiration for the company into a real shareholding enabled by the sale of Jireh,” said Engelbrecht.
From a modest operation in 2008, OTEL is today a licensed FTTH and business-to-business provider of VoIP & broadband Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions in South Africa.
It is based in Centurion, Gauteng Province.
– Guardian