By Contributing Editor, Kathy Xu
Data Center POST recently met with Almir Gonçalves, Business Strategy Director of FPT Telecom, at International Telecoms Week (ITW) — the world’s largest meeting for the global wholesale telecommunications community. ITW 2016 is currently taking place at the Hyatt Regency and Swissôtel in Chicago, IL from May 8-11, 2016. Mr. Gonçalves provided us with some insight into FPT’s core customer base, what differentiates the company from competitors, and what they would like to accomplish at ITW.
FPT is a leading provider of premium bandwidth services and private fiber optic networks in Brazil. Unlike large carriers, FPT is right-sized to be highly focused on individual businesses and precise geographies, allowing the company to deliver fast and cost-effective solutions.
FPT recently completed the purchase of a vast fiber optic network that covers most of Brazil, including vast agricultural regions. “So many of our clients are enjoying this latest network project because our services are making it easier to reach typically inaccessible places,” Mr. Gonçalves said. FPT’s primary customers include wholesale companies such as Telefónica and Telemax — many of which are in Brazil. Currently, only 10% of FPT’s fiber is lit, so the company has a tremendous amount of growth potential.
When asked what differentiates FPT from its competitors, Gonçalves said that “many of them do not have infrastructure in the far reaches of Brazil, in cities such as Manaus, which is a huge district with very little network presence. We are strategically located in places where others are not. As a small company, we can be competitive where a huge company cannot.”
This is FPT’s first time at ITW and they are hoping to be noticed by wholesale customers that require access to Brazil. So far, they are getting good feedback and are looking to have an even bigger presence at ITW 2017.
If you would like to learn more about FPT, please visit their website at http://fptelecoms.com.