Orange Business Services has announced the extension and expansion of its network contract with AngloGold Ashanti, one of the world’s leading mining companies. The deal delivers a range of network services across 44 sites in Africa, America and Australia to improve collaboration and securely manage internet and cloud growth.

Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti has 21 operations on three continents and currently has several exploration programs underway in both established and new gold-producing regions of the world. The multimillion dollar, multiyear contract builds on the 12-year relationship between Orange and AngloGold Ashanti.

Better end-user experience with cloud and internet
The hybrid network solution includes terrestrial and satellite connectivity, managed security and Business VPN Internet. It will allow AngloGold Ashanti to securely manage growing internet traffic and create a better end-user experience for employees at all sites. The solution also enables worldwide application of security policies and delivers the flexibility necessary for enabling the use of cloud-based business applications.

The hybrid network is optimized for unified communications and enables AngloGold Ashanti’s employees to use corporate applications, including voice, video and instant messaging communications securely across its entire global operation. Furthermore, managed Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solution Flexible Computing Premium will allow employees to access cloud-based applications like mission-critical global ERP based on SAP with greater ease.

Beyond the initial scope of connectivity, employee communications, cloud computing and security, the agreement opens the door for co-innovation, for example, in the areas of e-health, underground safety, material, tools and maintenance cost management, and environmental monitoring.

“We strive to listen to what is essential to our customers doing business in their markets and specific regional landscapes. AngloGold Ashanti is a long-time Orange customer, and we are very pleased with the trust they have placed in us. We aim to deliver mission-critical solutions for their infrastructure and bespoke consulting services to help them to reach their business ambitions,” says Giorgio Heiman, vice president Africa, Orange Business Services.