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Revision as of 05:50, 1 August 2011 by Cherlin (talk | contribs) (→External links: Add See Also)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Kenya Data Networks (KDN), is a “Full Service, Data Communications Carrier” that was licensed by the CCK in January 2003 as a “Public Data Network Operator” with a mission to build world-class infrastructure in Kenya. KDN, a Kenyan registered communications company that operates the largest data and Internet backbone in East Africa.
KDN provides a comprehensive suite of services over their fibre optic network including Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport, infrastructure services and collocation services. These services provide building blocks that enable their customers to meet their growing demands for advanced communications solutions.
The company's headquarters are located on Mombasa Road, Nairobi.
Business areas
Kenya Data Networks operates a combination of microwave radio and fiber optical links, over which it provides layer 2 carrier services (Ethernet, Frame Relay) to corporate customers. Furthermore, KDN houses and maintains a number of international internet gateways, which it sells to corporate customers such as ISPs.
KDN Products
* International private leased lines. These are point-to-point private line used by an organization to communicate between offices that are geographically dispersed throughout the world. As most of the companies in Kenya expand to global organizations, we at Kenya Data Network, provide the required infrastructure to enable their communication through data, voice, graphics and video, more efficiently, effectively and competitively.
* National leased circuits This is the core network that carry’s other services nationwide and across boarders. The KDN network is on fiber and receives fiber benefits like - triple play, scalability, redundancy, fast speeds, fast resolution of faults, to provide services to all services in the portfolio as a carrier of internal products, IPLC, Metros, GPON, MPLS, Ipsol.
This is the backbone fiber core network that connects different towns, carrying telecommunication, data and video services nationwide and across boarders at high speed on a super highway. NLC was conceived after identification of a niche market in need of large quantity and high quality capacity on long haul, across cities and counties. KDN has also re strategize its operations to focus more on wholesale business, which needs more focus on monitoring and re innovate its services to meet the ever changing needs of these group of customers.
* Metro leased circuits Metro leased circuit is a point to point, protected or unprotected dedicated service provided within a town through KDN network using SDH/TDM transmission on primarily fiber medium or microwave. The connection can be from a Client Premise to a Client Premise (WAN services) or KDN to Client Premise (transit services).
The product provides secure, reliable, scalable and dedicated bandwidth which can meet the demand of providing next generation ICT solutions. Using the existing KDN Microwave and Fiber infrastructure, KDN is able to provide Metro leased circuits which support multiple services in one network Globally.
* MPLS Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) framework that provides data-carrying mechanism including efficient forwarding, routing and switching of traffic flow through the network. It can encapsulate packets of various network protocols. MPLS is a cost effective, flexible Wide Area Network solution for connecting all business locations via a scalable and secure network infrastructure.
* Data Center KDN Data Center is a facility being set up to provide physical environment that will ensure the day-to-day running of various communication equipments and application systems with a main objective of ensuring availability levels meet clients expectations at an affordable cost.
The Data Center will therefore provide physical space for use by customers with hardware equipments that provide communication and application services to end-users. Product Scope is limited to providing physical space; Server room floor/rack space, Sufficient Dual Input Power, Elaborate Security system and Sufficient CRAC – Computer Room Air Conditioning.
* Access Network Wireless An Access Wireless Network is a network set up by using radio signal frequency to communicate among computers and other network devices. The product concept is to transfer date between devices using RF( Radio Frequencies) by sending as much data as far as possible and as fast as possible.
* Access Network Wireline Access wireline is a point-to-multi-point fiber to the home solution using passive splitters that are use to enable a single fiber to serve multiple premises. GPON provided high capacity bandwidth thus is one of the best platforms for the delivery of a myriad of services like HSI, IPTV, VoD, and Gaming etc. This product market target are: ISP's, ASP's, Broadcasters, Cinema Houses, Advertisers, Residents associations, security firms etc. In addition, the product provides a high capacity digital distribution supply from a central reception point to multiple end users premises over a Fiber to the access network. It utilizes a shared fiber infrastructure, based on a multi-way split Passive Optical Network (PON) terminating in the End User premises thus is able to provide a platform where VoD and live streaming services can be deployed.
KDN Clients
KDN's customers include some of the Region's largest financial, healthcare, Mobile and technology companies. Clients rely on KDN to build and operate highly redundant and geo-diverse WANs for data-centric operations. The company differentiates itself with its unique fibre footprint, dynamic bandwidth re-provisioning and rerouting services, and simplified pricing model.
KDN Ownership
Altech Group – Altech is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and is an investment holding company, involved in the telecommunications, multi-media and information technology industries, which employs over 5 000 employees in South Africa and abroad.
As a leading South African multi-billion rand high-technology group, Altech is involved in the design, development and convergence of telecommunications equipment, multi-media systems and IT solutions. There is a strong focus on the convergence of these technologies and Altech is now also entrenched in the arena of secure technology solutions.Altech has ongoing access to the latest technologies worldwide, while the group’s own research and development programme actively encourages and promotes internal technology.
Sameer Investment - The Sameer Group is a leading economic force in East Africa with major investments and successful operating companies in all key business sectors.
Endowed with the knowledge, vision, experience and skills derived from over thirty years experience in Kenya’s industrial and commercial development and partnered by internationally recognized businesses, names and brands, the Sameer Group is in a unique position to offer advice and assistance to all those who wish to invest profitably in the future of Africa.
Employee Share Ownership Program (ESOP) – Staff of KDN have the unique opportunity to not only work for a good company, but they are also part owners of the company. This has provided motivation to keep the company growing.
Infrastructure
Microwave radio
KDN started off by providing infrastructure via microwave radio in a hub-and-spoke fashion. Currently, it operates a number of base stations in Nairobi, Mombasa and upcountry (Embu, Meru, Kisumu, Diani, Malindi, etc.), which are connected via directed radio backhauls. This technology will eventually be superseded by more advanced fibre-optical infrastructure.
Fiber Optic Network
KDN has deployed the largest fiber optic network in the region so far. With over 500 Kilometers of Metropolitan fiber optic cable in Nairobi, 50 in Kisumu and Mombasa and 20 in Nakuru, Eldoret and Thika, KDN has the key towns in Kenya covered. The main backbone across the country, from Mombasa (through Voi, Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret) to Malaba (Kenya-Uganda border) was completed in 2006 and now KDN is embarking on creating redundant links. These will form figure "eights" on the main back bone. The first phase links Malaba to Nakuru through Busia, Kisumu, Kisii, Kericho and Njoro. Then the link from Nakuru to Nairobi is backed up by link through Nyahururu, Nyeri, Thika to Nairobi. The Nairobi to Mombasa leg is backed up by the link through Thika, Garissa, Garsen, Malindi to Mombasa.
The fiber optic cable also goes round Mt. Kenya to cover the towns of Nanyuki, Meru and Embu. The fiber cable is now the main backhaul for the 70 odd WiMAX basestations in different parts of the country.
See Also
List of terrestrial fibre optic cable projects in Africa