Committed to connectivity anywhere, SES WORLD SKIES has announced it has signed a capacity agreement with Vizada Networks for reliable telecommunications network backup across Africa's Sub Saharan region.

A full 36 MHz transponder aboard SES WORLD SKIES' NSS-5 satellite is delivering GSM backhaul restoration service, supporting a leading African telecom provider's voice network in the event of a terrestrial outage.

It is the latest in a series of strategic deals between Vizada Networks and SES WORLD SKIES that now tap a dozen transponders on five satellites to enable everything from mobile communications, corporate networks and internet access across Africa and the Middle East.

"SES WORLD SKIES' satellites are playing a critical role in our ability to provide both primary and backup communications capabilities virtually anywhere, even some of the remotest stretches of Africa," explained Giovanni Auciello, Business Development Manager for Vizada Networks.

"Downtime is not an option for leading telecom providers striving to meet growing demand for connectivity and content throughout Africa. The reliability and flexibility of SES WORLD SKIES' satellites allows us to solve our customers' communications challenges with confidence," Auciello added, noting Vizada Networks serves clients on NSS-5, NSS-7, NSS-9, NSS-12 and AMC-9.

"This latest agreement with Vizada Networks illustrates our ongoing, shared commitment to enable exciting new communications services across Africa and the region," said Simon Gatty Saunt, SES WORLD SKIES' Vice President of Sales for Europe and CIS.

"By taking advantage of the limitless reach of satellite, Vizada Networks is allowing leading telecom providers to deliver voice and data to underserved and untapped markets and rural backlands where they couldn't go before," he added, noting the key role earth stations play in global distribution.

The 16.4 meter satellite antenna at Vizada Networks' Nittedal teleport in Norway is delivering the African telecom restoration solution based on the NSS-5 spacecraft.