We have worked for World Telecom Labs for five years now. It’s a very innovative company which works with operators across Africa on a variety of technologies.  Last year – with our help – WTL won five awards including this:

This latest piece of news was a landmark for the team at TelecomsPR Africa as we’d never promoted a story from Algeria before.  Got some great pick-up including this piece in Communications Afrique.

World Telecom Labs Helps Algerian Operator Provide SMS Services

13 July 2017 – World Telecom Labs (WTL) today announced that it has helped Icosnet, an established operator in Algeria, to rollout an A2P (Application to Person) SMS service that will primarily be used by domestic and international companies who want to communicate directly with their customers across the country.

Algeria has a well-developed telecoms infrastructure and its oil and gas industries have made it one of the wealthiest countries in Africa. Despite the increasing popularity of IP messaging services, SMS is still widely used across the country with the main operators offering bundled packages which include text sending and receipt. Businesses in Algeria are increasingly turning to SMS to interact with and inform their customers as it has a greater chance of being successfully received and read than email – and, of course, is far cheaper than print promotions.

Established in 1999, Icosnet was one of the first companies to emerge after the liberalisation of the telecom market in Algeria. Since then it has been providing data and voice services to businesses of all sizes.

Initially WTL helped Icosnet establish its service quickly and cost-effectively through the provision of SS7 signaling gateways. These enable traffic to transfer between Icosnet’s IP networks and the existing networks in Algeria. As Icosnet’s business expanded and evolved, WTL provided a variety of equipment including its award-winning VoIP switches.

Icosnet’s new SMS service will run over the existing WTL platform that was developed to support both VoIP and SMS services. This enables enterprises and Government agencies to communicate with their customers using text messaging. A simple IP interface connects the company to the Icosnet WTL platform and from here all the switching and routing of messages to the right operator is handled in an efficient, cost effective way ensuring the best possible delivery success. The WTL platform also means that Icosnet can accurately bill its clients for the number of text messages sent.

Andrew Kinnear, Executive Director at Icosnet, said “WTL is a trusted and much valued supplier. Our business and infrastructure have evolved over the years and WTL is always there to support us. We truly appreciate the advice and expertise of the team at WTL.”

Leigh Smith, MD of WTL, said “Of course, the great thing about text is that, unlike popular forms of IP messaging, it can be used to send and receive messages from anyone who has a mobile. Icosnet is setting the standard for African companies who want a cost-effective and reliable A2P SMS service to communicate with customers. Icosnet has always been an innovative operator and we are happy that our strong relationship continues.”

About World Telecom Labs (WTL)

Headquartered in Belgium with offices in Nigeria, Brazil and the UK, WTL helps operators in emerging markets to deploy cost-effective, reliable voice and data networks for both rural and urban environments.

WTL has deployments in more than 30 countries in Africa with a well-deserved reputation for excellent service, reliable products and an expert team with extensive experience in Africa.

WTL’s innovative, practical and cost-effective portfolio includes its:

• Award-winning range of high capacity VoIP and hybrid VoIP/TDM switches which have been specifically designed to replace the huge, expensive, maintenance-heavy switches that have traditionally been used to transfer VoIP traffic onto other networks.

• Vivada (Village Voice and Data), a multi-award winning system to Connect The Unconnected.

• Signalling gateways and pre-paid applications for emerging carriers and telecom service operators.

For more information visit www.wtl.be, on twitter @worldtelecomlab or contact