Swedish pre-fab data center vendor Flexenclosure is continuing to see interest in its modular systems in Africa, with carrier MTN Côte d’Ivoire being the latest provider to sign up for its data center.

It is building a 336 sq m customized data center in Abidjan, with the help of local systems integrator Leadcom.

The multi-million dollar order will also include an 84 sq m energy center and 168 sq m switching center.

Installation is planned for Q1, 2014.

MTN will use the dual switching center and data center, which will be built using eight Flexenclosure modules, for customer hosting.

The contract also includes the relocation of existing power equipment operated by MTN to the new site.

Each module will be built in Sweden and shipped to site, where Leadcom will carry out civil works.

Vodacom Mozambique recently signed two separate contracts with Flexenclosure to use its prefab solutions to meet rising demand for communications services on the continent.

It has also provided more than 4,500 sq m of its eCentre solution to operators in Nigeria needing to expand capacity fast.

MTN Côte d’Ivoire CEO Wim Vanhelleputte said the market is changing fast in regards to mobile communications.

“Locally, we are switching from a traditional telephone market, based on voice and SMS, to a more mature phase where the mobile phone is increasingly used for services such as broadband Internet, money transfer and all services related to the new digital world (video on demand, tracking, etc),” Vanhelleputte said.

MTN Côte d’Ivoire general manager for capital programs Jerome Curtis said it deployed the modular solution for increased network availability, stability and geographical redundancy.

“The data hosting capability will allow us to provide new value-added services to our clients,” Curtis said.