Electricity + Control April 2016

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ROUND UP CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION
Strengthening Kenyan telecoms
In order to ensure uninterrupted mobile telecommunication coverage
during power outages in Kenya, the country’s largest service provider
Safaricom entered into a multi-million dollar contract with Car & General
Cummins distributor in East Africa. To date Car & General has supplied
many diesel generator sets (gensets) that provide back-up power to the
Safaricom tower network, data centres and office buildings in the event
of a blackout.
According to CommunicationsAuthority of Kenya (CA) June 2015 Sector
Statistics reports, Safaricomowns 67% of the mobile data transfer segment
in Kenya with over 25 000 000 subscribers. Nakul Virat CumminsTelecom
Segment Leader in Africa points out that total cost of ownership is one
of the advantages that Safaricom have valued from Cummins generator
sets. “The supply to Safaricom includes the gensets and the maintenance
and servicing of parts. Our local Kenyan distributor, Car & General, has a
long history and is recognised for value-added services in Kenya, which
has played a major role in our success”.
According to Balaji Power Generation Sales Manager for Car & General
the Safaricom contract is a major platform for growth for Cummins in East
Africa and overall in Africa. “This has given us substantial recognition in
the region, as Safaricom has established itself as one of the most efficient
and well-respected telecommunications companies in Africa. Thanks to
mutual respect and understanding of each other’s capabilities, the project
continues to run smoothly without any major obstacles”.
Enquiries: Susan S Quist. Email
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