Vivendi and Canal+ launch Canalbox fibre network in Africa

Group Vivendi Africa (GVA), a new unit of the French media giant set up to develop telecoms in Africa, has launched its first fibre-based high-speed internet offering in partnership with pay TV subsidiary Canal+, in Libreville, the capital of Gabon.

The new service, branded as Canalbox, will be rolled out in several other African countries in the near future, according to the group.

GVA said it would lean on the expertise of Canal+ Group in Africa to develop its fibre offering, including using the recognized Canal+ brand and its network of retail outlets and partners.

Vivendi said that the project was a concrete outcome of synergies within the group and reinforced its ambitions in Africa.

“Our teams are building the best telecommunications network for the Gabonese people because we are convinced that high-speed internet access is a key factor in economic and social development. I am very proud to be the first to launch areal FTTH network in Gabon,” said Marco de Assis, CEO of GVA.

“The partnership with GVA presents a wonderful opportunity for Canal+ to be able to propose a complete offering of products and services integrating henceforward high-speed internet with Canalbox,” said David Mignot, CEO of Canal+ Afrique.

This is not Vivendi’s first involvement in the Gabon telecom market. Maroc Telecom, in which Vivendi held a majority stake until it sold out to Etisalat in 2014, acquired a 51% stake in Gabon Telecom 10 years ago.