Communications division lands Telkom retail supply deal

The contract was awarded months after Telkom's Request for Proposal for the Supply of Client Premises Equipment for the Retail Market. Potentially worth R150 million in turnover over the three years, the deal brings kudos as well as a significant financial boost to Tellumat.

"The deal is 100% in line with our strategy to align ourselves with the major players in the telecoms market," says Bennie Langenhoven, Tellumat Telecoms GM.

"It opens up a significant new retail channel for us, whereas in the past we've been focused almost solely on turnkey business communications systems and services." In size alone, Tellumat's diversification into the consumer space is a worthy addition to its existing business comms competency, which has sold two million ports in two decades.

Top of Telkom's list of supplier criteria were black empowerment and, of course, stringent quality standards.

As a 32% black-owned company, the successful bidder qualifies as a 'black-empowered company' in terms of the DTI's Codes of Good Practice. It has also achieved a Level 4 rating in terms of the Codes, which has secured it the status of a 'Superior Contributor' to BEE.

In terms of the company's product credentials, it has exclusive sub-Saharan distribution rights for telephones and systems from Lake Communications, an Ireland-based manufacturer of communications equipment for small offices and home users, and for the products of Inter-Tel, a US maker of comms systems for the small- and medium-sized market. Tellumat also distributes Kirk wireless DECT solutions, a Danish manufacturer recently acquired by Polycom.

Langenhoven says Tellumat can scarcely conceive of a bigger local endorsement of its product set and delivery capacity. "We're proud to have earned Telkom's trust in the face of such stiff competition."