Gateway Communications
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Fate | Acquired by PCCW Global in 2012 |
| Successor | Gateway Global Communications (under PCCW Global) |
| Headquarters | South Africa |
Area served | Sub-Saharan Africa (40 countries) |
| Products | Satellite cellular backhaul, international and regional voice, mobile broadband services, voice and data connectivity |
| Owner | PCCW Global (since 2012) |
| Parent | PCCW Global |
Gateway Communications, also referred to as Gateway Carrier Services, was a telecommunications entity acquired by PCCW Global, a subsidiary of HKT Limited, in 2012. Gateway managed one of the most extensive pan-African telecom infrastructures, catering to prominent mobile network operators and internet service providers throughout the continent.
History
Gateway Communications focused on delivering satellite cellular backhaul, as well as international and regional voice and mobile broadband services across Africa. The company offered voice and data connectivity to businesses in 40 countries within sub-Saharan Africa through a combination of satellite links, subsea cables (notably SEACOM), wireless technologies, and fiber optic networks.
As an initial investor in SEACOM, Gateway played a key role in introducing 1.28 Tbit/s of bandwidth capacity to the African continent. In 2007, it utilized Comtech EF Data's CDM-Qx Satellite Modem for its transponder operations and earned Intelsat’s "Excellence in Innovative Cellular Backhaul Services" accolade in 2008.
In August 2008, Vodacom acquired Gateway Communications for US$700 million. Later that year, Vodafone became its indirect parent company by raising its ownership in Vodacom to 65% as of December 2008. Also in 2008, Gateway extended its footprint into Central Africa by establishing a regional office in Cameroon.
After the acquisition, Vodacom divested Gateway’s business services division, Gateway Business Africa, which was subsequently merged into Vodacom Business in 2009. Gateway continued its expansion by entering the markets of Guinea and Senegal in 2010.
In June 2012, Vodacom divested Gateway Carrier Services along with associated subsidiaries to PCCW Global for US$26 million (HK$268 million). PCCW Global—the international division of Hong Kong Telecom (HKT)—consolidated these assets under Gateway Global Communications, formerly known as PCCW Global (UK) Limited, a fully owned carrier services provider operating across various African regions.