The Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) has successfully migrated to a Safaricom network solution. This is expected to boost trading volumes and level of activity at the bourse.
This Software-Defined Wide Area Network commonly referred to as SD-WAN, replaces the pure Multi-Protocol.
Label Switching (MPLS) network that has been in use since 2011. SD-WAN is a virtual Wide Area Network (WAN) architecture that allows businesses to leverage any combination of transport services, including MPLS, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and broadband Internet services.
The platform securely connects users to business applications. The network interconnects the NSE, the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC) and all the Trading Participants in the market to offer higher trading platform availability.
The SD-WAN will be transformational for the market as it will reduce connectivity costs to the brokers by approximately thirty per cent, ensure higher uptime and performance and increase network security.
The NSE is leveraging on Safaricom’s experience and excellent service support to ensure a stable, secure and resilient network infrastructure for securities trading.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom noted, “We are excited to extend our range of capabilities and technology to the Nairobi Securities Exchange to empower them in their next phase of growth. This investment will provide the NSE with modern and future proof solutions to achieve cost efficiencies, tap new opportunities and innovate for their customers in a digital era.”
The Chief Executive of the NSE Geoffrey Odundo, said, “The transition to the SD-WAN Network is in line with our corporate strategy to offer best in class services to our customers. The success of our business is underpinned by the use of innovative and efficient technology. The new network will reduce the lags and delays that may be experienced during trading, enhancing performance and overall service support to the market.”
The SD-WAN solution offers network stability, agility and resilience with enhanced information security capabilities while reducing the cost of connectivity for all stakeholders.