Multinational telecommunications corporation, Orange has announced improved internet and mobile services connectivity in Africa, with the launch of two new IP and IPX Points of Presence (PoP) in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa today.

Following the launch, the company says it will now be able to fully address the market's needs.

"The facilities which are fully operational as from today, will enhance Internet and mobile connectivity in the region by offering faster connection speeds and improved reliability for wholesale customers," notes a statement.

According to Orange, IP and IPX Points of Presence are part of the technical infrastructure equipment necessary to enable local operators to access the Internet & mobile services through an interconnection point with long-distance networks.

Pierre-Louis de Guillebon, CEO, International Carriers, Orange says, "By connecting to this very large-capacity PoP, wholesale customers, regional operators and Internet Service Providers will benefit from cost-effective connections to a Tier 1 operator. Thanks to this Point of Presence that will bring content providers closer to Internet users, the customer experience is set to improve."

The company says it already holds a strategic position in this field in Africa and the Middle East, thanks to its existing IP and IPX PoPs in Amman and Abidjan.

"With the opening of this new PoPs, Orange has now enhanced its position as a major Internet and mobile services connectivity enabler in South Africa, where capacity is constantly increasing," the company states.

Following the launch of its brand in Sierra Leone last month, the company said it had invested US$33 million in a modernisation and expansion plan since the acquisition in 2016, in a bid to enhance the reliability, coverage, and quality of its network as well as its voice and data services.

"As of mid-October, the majority of investments have already been realised with 30 new radio sites on air and over half of the entire mobile network upgraded," detailed the telco in its statement.

Orange recorded quarter-over-quarter revenue and subscriber growth in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) according to its 3rd quarter financial results. The telco registered a 3.1% increase in revenue during the third quarter of 2017 across MEA, adding to the 2.7% it achieved during the second quarter.

Orange now has 126.7 million mobile customers in MEA as at 30 September 2017, which signifies a year-on-year increase of 5.2% on a comparable basis (+6.2 million customers) for the company. This growth also translated into mobile data services which rose by 38% in the third quarter of 2017.