“This move marks a significant point in our journey of transforming local communities across Uganda through improved access to digital services in finance, telecommunications and retail distribution by modernizing last mile access through technology solutions at scale,” said John Paul Ssemyalo, CEO of Pebuu Africa, during the initiation meeting at the Hamilton Telecom offices in Kololo.

Pebuu currently operates over 320 service points and supports over 50,000 SMEs nationwide. This potential partnership is poised to enable Hamilton Telecom extend its reach to remote customers, including those in hard-to-reach areas such as islands like Bugala, refugee camps such as Bidi Bidi and Rhino Refugee Camp, and national parks like Kibale, to mention but a few.

By leveraging Pebuu’s robust distribution network, the partnership will drive Paxtel’s nationwide rollout, ensuring seamless service delivery across Uganda.

John Kamya, the Board Chairman of Hamilton Telecom, expressed optimism about the prospects, emphasizing the opportunity to set a new standard of customer experience and bring quality mobile services to even the most isolated communities.

Recent data from the Uganda Communications Commission’s Q4 2024 report highlights the country’s expanding digital landscape, with 38.5 million telephone subscribers and 16.4 million mobile internet users. This growth presents significant opportunities for businesses to shape the future of digital communications and financial services.

With Pebuu’s advanced data-driven field management technology, featuring real-time tracking and geo-mapping, this collaboration aims to optimize seamless customer and retailers onboarding, training, mapping and monitoring.

Pebuu’s technology solutions are trusted by major banks, including Stanbic, Centenary, and Housing Finance, for managing digital channels and ensuring regulatory compliance of their nationwide agent banking networks.

By uniting their capabilities, Pebuu Africa and Hamilton Telecom aim to contribute to Uganda’s digital evolution, aligning with Pebuu’s vision of bridging traditional and digital communities through technology solutions in finance, retail, and mobile connectivity value chains.

See also: VP, Jessica Alupo launches the ambitious digital transformation roadmap

Paxtel Telecom, which is set to introduce innovative solutions such as mobile money services and customized data packages, will be a key part of this effort.

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Raxio announced its plans to construct Uganda’s first tier 3, carrier-neutral and cloud-neutral data centre in July 2018. Since the announcement, Raxio has completed feasibility studies, land acquisition and design works and is now in the process of finalizing earthworks, contractor procurements and the relevant regulatory approvals.

With today’s announcement HCS becomes Raxio’s first officially signed customer for service when Raxio opens its doors in October 2019.

Construction is set to start later this quarter.

Raxio’s General Manager James Byaruhanga and Paul Nalikka; Director, Hamilton Telecom, flanked by Ahura Vianne Allan the CFO, signed for their respective organisations during a press media brief held at Raxio’s offices at Rwenzori Towers, Nakasero in Kampala.

“Today is an exciting day for Raxio. Not only are we proud to announce Hamilton as our first officially signed customer but Hamilton is also a uniquely strategic kind of partner that will give other Raxio customers and opportunity to enjoy a seamlessly integrated data centre and local cloud service experience under one roof,” Byaruhanga told press.

Byaruhanga added that HCS will operate their infrastructure in a fail-safe, always-on environment provided by Raxio, protecting their business and that of their customers and supporting their growth ambitions.

HCS cloud computing and backup service model uses cloud resources to protect applications and data from disruption caused by disasters on a payas-you-grow model that allows customers to stay ahead with access to cutting-edge hardware and/or software solutions.

Byaruhanga, said the agreement with Hamilton, is proof of a “win-win model” that “enables especially start-ups, SMES and mid-sized businesses to overcome the obstacle of upfront capital investments and to reduce total cost of ownership on software, storage and backup infrastructure, into manageable monthly operational expenses that are scalable and on demand, thus avoiding costs associated with over capacity.”

“This is very exciting for us and the market and we couldn’t be any happier to have Hamilton on board,” he said.

Local cloud service in a tier 3 data centre environment
Commenting about the deal, Derrick Sebbaale, Chief Operating Officer, Hamilton Cloud Services, said the deal will make HCS, “pioneers in providing the biggest local cloud service in a tier 3 data centre environment in Uganda.”

“Our vision is to revolutionize businesses in Uganda by providing affordable cutting-edge technology solutions, which enable them to thrive and prosper in a globally competitive economy. By hosting our equipment in Raxio’s data centre, we will be able to quickly scale up our services, without the high capex costs on infrastructure; which savings will be passed on to our customers,” he said.

Sebbaale added the agreement with Raxio will not only reduce on the high costs as well as risks of hosting and storing data overseas but, it will also provide a 24/7 secure, accessible and dedicated platform to HCS clients.

Pay as you grow model is a game changer
Sebbaale, called upon business owners, government decision makers and regulators to support the shift to cloud computing as “it is a game-changer with real and proven return on investment, manifested through new efficiencies, enhanced customer experiences and new business models, leading to accelerated revenue and productivity growth.”

Quoting a 2017/18 study by the National Informational Technology Authority (NITA), Sebbaale said that while 86.4% of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had reported that cloud computing significantly reduces ICT related costs, to date, only 28.6% of all MDAs reported using cloud computing services. The study also reported that 80.5% of MDAs and 66.7% of Local Governments relied on local in-house capacity to host their applications and databases- only 48.1% of MDAs and 38.1% of Local Government reported keeping backups offsite.

The following major fears for not using off-site data storage and or cloud services were advanced;

1. Risk of a security breach (55.8%).
2. High cost of buying cloud computing services (40.3%).
3. Uncertainty about the location of the data (36.4%).
4. Uncertainty about applicable law, jurisdiction, dispute resolution mechanism (27.3%).
5. Difficulties in unsubscribing or changing service provider and data portability (22.1%).

“This landmark agreement between Raxio and Hamilton is a paradigm shift and answers all these issues- we are giving businesses in Uganda a reliable and secure pay-as-you-grow local cloud service, housed in a world-class tier 3 data centre under local laws, with local customerservice,” said Sebbaale.

25% discounts on early-bird offer
Byaruhanga said that Raxio was offering an early-bird offer that offers up to 40% discount on core co-location fees to customers who sign between now and the end of February 2019.

“Any customer signing up between now and the end of February is entitled to a 25% discount and they will be able to carry this price on for the duration of their contract. For customers that take up more than 5 racks, they will be eligible for an additional 15% discount, meaning that customers can save up to 40% on the price they will have to pay when we open for business in September 2019,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Press Release from Raxio

The post Raxio Signs Hamilton Cloud Services As First Customer, Announces 25% Early Bird Discount appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Online publication Guru8 claimed earlier this week claimed that Hamilton Telecom, a US telecommunications giant was in negotiations with officials of Uganda Telecom and had had a breakthrough.

However, this morning, Uganda Telecom came out to dismiss such claims.

A spokesperson from the telecom firm commented that; “Uganda Telecom Limited wishes to address the false and misleading stories that have been published in sections of the media, particularly in online publications, regarding the sale of the company. Uganda Telecom has not been sold nor is in the process of being sold.”

He further added that; “Our two shareholders are working closely to ensure that the company strategy and business plan are implemented. Uganda Telecom continues to broaden its portfolio of services and remains dedicated to innovation and offering our customers the highest possible service levels.”

Image Credit: ChimpReports

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