TowerXchange: Please tell us about Abloy’s activities in Africa and the Middle East. Which countries are you active in?
David Knight, Area Director, Africa, Abloy:
Abloy provides high security locking systems to the telecoms market in Africa. We provide solutions that can combine electromechanical systems and mechanical systems. This means most clients start with the Abloy high security mechanical locks and keys. The keys cannot be duplicated and can be set onto a master keying system. This system is extremely effective in sites which are shared. A case in point is in South Africa where most sites are shared between five telecom companies. Everyone’s key can open the main gate and then only opens their own equipment (BTS or BBS). This method gives the client a cost advantage as when upgrading to an electromechanical system their previous investments would not be wasted, and can be used in the electromechanical system. Abloy is active in most countries in the Middle East and in the majority of Sub-Saharan countries, namely, SADC countries, East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia) and West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo).
TowerXchange: Who are your main clients? And how does the demand change between operators and towercos?
David Knight, Area Director, Africa, Abloy:
Our clients are mobile network operators and the tower companies. There is a huge demand from the operators who require site efficiency and long term solutions. There is a growing trend where there is a need for an integrated solution within the sites. Over the last couple of years, with the towercos purchasing, and taking over operators’ towers, the demand has certainly moved towards the towercos. The “big 4” towerco companies, IHS, Eaton Towers, ATC and Helios are certainly the main players, however, the operators still have a clear presence in the Sub-Saharan region.
TowerXchange: How does the demand for security solutions differ between different countries across the MEA region?
David Knight, Area Director, Africa, Abloy:
In certain countries there is a high demand for security. There are two types of scenarios; first, there is a need for controlling access into our clients’ infrastructure, such as the base station sites. Our solution gives the client the ability to determine who actually has entered a site. The second scenario deals with re-enforcing security. In most cases this means the Abloy solution must provide stronger locks which cannot be easily cut. We have also cooperated with cabinet manufacturers to create integrated cabinet locking solutions.
TowerXchange: How do you find security issues vary between rural and urban areas?
David Knight, Area Director, Africa, Abloy:
The security issues between the rural and urban sites differ greatly. We have realised that there is a higher theft in rural areas than urban areas. Rural area sites are generator driven, as opposed to direct electricity in the urban areas, therefore a continuous supply of diesel is required. The theft of diesel is a major headache for the towercos and operators. Due to the fact that the rural sites are generally outside of a populated area, anything of value is vulnerable to theft. In these areas, where thieves have more time on their hands, the demand for re-enforcing security is more prominent than controlling access.
We are also the only company who has introduced a product progression plan. This means clients can install a mechanical solution with the intention of upgrading these products to electromechanical products
TowerXchange: How does your product differ from others in the market?
David Knight, Area Director, Africa, Abloy:
We are an established global company with 110 year track record in protecting critical infrastructure. Our PROTEC2 CLIQ is a proven solution with over 1000 customers worldwide, 500,000 cylinders and 500,000 keys already delivered and in use.
We are also the only company who has introduced a product progression plan. This means clients can install a mechanical solution with the intention of upgrading these products to electromechanical products.
PROTEC2 CLIQ is the only product in the market where one solution combines the benefits of electromechanical and mechanical solutions. The CLIQ CONNECT feature provides access rights and logs audit trail in any situation, whether you are working at an online or offline location. Not only is it a highly advanced electronic key controlling system, but as an extra level of security, we have the ABLOY PROTEC2 mechanical platform backup. So, if ever your electronic system is compromised your assets remain secure with the mechanical platform backup.
We are also able to provide a complete solution from padlocks and cylinders to door closers and electric locks to secure and protect our clients’ facilities, infrastructure and assets.
Abloy will be exhibiting at the 5th Annual TowerXchange Meetup Africa & Middle East, being held on 3-4 October at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. Visit the website for more information
