This acquisition is a further milestone in CETel's growth and diversification strategy alongside its continuing customer base expansion. The transaction allows Onlime to concentrate on further development of their core business of community software applications and its fibre and wireless based communications solutions in Africa‎. After the technical migration, CETel continues operating the existing managed VSAT services, which include oil & gas, corporate, NGO, Government and mining customers, as well as international service providers.

Furthermore, both companies have entered into a strategic partnership complementing each other’s services for upcoming business opportunities. Together, CETel and Onlime will focus on their individual strengths in the VSAT and terrestrial environment in order to deliver the full requirement chain of communications needs in various vertical markets.

Guido Neumann, managing director at CETel, said: “The acquisition of the Onlime managed satellite services further strengthens our position as a global solutions provider for fully managed end-to-end communications services. With this acquisition, CETel expands its worldwide service portfolio and coverage which emphasises its leading position to deliver world-class services and support. I'm also excited about how the combination of CETel and Onlime will accelerate our position to provide hybrid communications solutions, which will become more and more significant in our customer's needs. Summarising, in addition to our consistent customer base expansion, this acquisition is a major step within our growth and diversification strategy.”

Paul Ziegler, CEO of Onlime, stated: “The spin-off of our managed satellite services helps Onlime to fully concentrate on the expansion of our existing African focused software and communications businesses, which present a coherent value-added service to CETel's strength in the provision of VSAT and managed satellite service solutions. Onlime continues to operate its teleport facility to serve satellite operators and service providers with enhanced teleport and data centre services, but our future focus will definitely lie on working together with CETel to serve customers in the African and Middle East Markets offering both satellite and terrestrial solutions. We look forward to working closely with the CETel team going forward.”