Rapelang Rabana epitomises the new global generation of ingenious business intellectuals who are able to influence how the future world works. As co-founder and CEO of SA based software development organisation, Yeigo Communications, Rapelang oversaw the company’s integration into the TelFree Group of companies in 2008. Now as Global Head of Research and Development, she and her colleagues in Cape Town continue to ensure that the telecommunications pioneer remains at the forefront of alternative communications through highly innovative software applications across the telecommunications spectrum.

In her presentation, Rapelang gives us a glimpse into the key insights of the early mobile VoIP market, its growth and maturation and the impact of Cloud communication on the next generation

Rael is co-founder of Learnthings, a joint venture with the UK Guardian Media Group. After years in content creation, he shifted his focus to educational content delivery in under-serviced areas. During installations at remot schools he realised there was a serious problem in communications systems in under-serviced areas due to infrastructure and price. VoIP servers were therefore included in wireless deployments to facilitate communication, which led to the formation of Dabba Telecommunications.

In his presentation, Rael discusses a case study covering topics from connecting rural schools to a wireless VoIP service, to providing services to high density underserviced residential areas. Rael provides insight into how to create sustainable services using available technologies that help fill the huge services gaps in SA telecoms.

Felix Honigwachs is the Product Manager for Unified Communications at Microsoft SA. Before joining Microsoft he worked for several blue-chip firms and headed the product management division for Siemens. In his presentation, Felix discusses how lowering costs and increasing productivity when integrating Unified Communications into IT remain top priorities for Enterprises and SMME’s. He highlights how Unified Communications convergence is often pitched as a silver bullet to achieve, but what are the risks to convergence? How will users get the most out of the technology, and how do you realise the value?

Previous General Manager of Voice Solutions for Internet Solutions, Wayne Speechly has grown within the company and now fulfils the position of Executive of Communications. In his presentation, Wayne discusses how the telecoms industry has changed for the better, especially over the last year where – as much as the environment has changed – most structure in the market has remained the same. Technology and regulatory factors against a backdrop of changing enterprise requirements means service providers need to do things differently.

John Holdsworth is the Non-executive Chairman of ECN, a leading provider of IP based next generation network services. ECN was founded in January 2005 by John with the specific aim of exploiting the impending liberalisation of the South African telecommunications market. ECN was recently sold to Reunert in June 2011. Reunert is a leading technology company listed on the JSE. Holdsworth is an accomplished technology executive and entrepreneur with more than 25 years experience in the information communication and technology sector.

In his presentation, John discusses how the commoditisation of the SA telecommunications market is taking place at a rapid pace, with data tariffs and margins tumbling in the past 12 months; and while new products are appearing, they inevitably cost less and do more. John highlights how it is inevitable that voice revenues and margins will be subject to the same competitive pressures as data.

Pieter Grootes joined ICASA (The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) in 2008 as Senior Manager in the Markets and Competition division, and was appointed General Manager in October 2010. His strategic responsibilities include overseeing the development of competition in the converging value chain of postal, broadcasting and electronic communications services, while his day-by-day responsibilities include overseeing numbering administration, interconnection and electronic communications facilities leasing.

In his presentation, Pieter provides an insight into current and future regulatory topics from the perspective of the regulator. He highlights Interconnection requirements and facilities leasing, and provides an explanation on how these principles will effect competition.

Jaco Voigt has been involved in the SA communications industry for over 14 years. In 2004 he started Vox Telecom and, with his team, pioneered ECS operator interconnect and VoIP termination solutions for the enterprise market in SA. In 2007 Jaco founded PerfectWorx consulting, a niche technical consulting company with a specific focus and passion in the area of IP capable next-generation telecommunications solutions.

In his presentation, Jaco states how the SA voice industry had dramatically evolved since 2005 and how for many voice solution providers it has become increasingly difficult to stay relevant and compete in an industry riddled with competition. Jaco explores the building blocks required to ensure that you offer your customers a complete and relevant voice solution.

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