BringCom is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, and as we celebrate this milestone, we reflected on our journey to becoming a leading communications solutions provider in Africa. Our vision to provide solutions for a connected Africa has spanned over two decades, and we wanted to commemorate this achievement by sharing our story from the beginning, with our CEO and Founder, Fabrice Langreney.
Moreover, our commitment to corporate social responsibility has been ingrained in our ethos. We’ve actively engaged in community development projects, healthcare initiatives, and environmental sustainability efforts, recognizing our responsibility to the societies we serve. Through partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders, we’ve catalyzed positive change, leaving a lasting impact beyond business metrics. We envision a future where connectivity transcends boundaries, empowering individuals and driving collective progress.
While our journey has been remarkable, we recognize that our responsibility extends beyond business success. As an African-focused company, we are cognizant of the diverse needs and aspirations of the continent. Therefore, we are committed to amplifying our impact through philanthropic missions that resonate with the socio-economic realities of Africa.
In choosing philanthropic missions, we prioritize initiatives that address systemic challenges, foster inclusive growth, and empower marginalized communities.
To celebrate our 20th anniversary, once every quarter this year, we will choose an organization to support and share their story. We will also share Fabrice Langreney’s interview series as we look back on BringCom’s journey.
We hope you enjoy as we take a look back.
What inspired you to start this company?
Drawing from my background in the telecommunications industry, I established BringCom in October 2004 having worked previously offering telephony/voice over IP telecommunications services in Africa. Wanting to do more, I foresaw a significant opportunity for corporate network services in Africa at that time. I was driven by a dual motivation. Firstly, it was a personal ambition to create and lead my own enterprise, following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather who were both entrepreneurs. Secondly, having been involved in telecommunications projects in Latin America, I was compelled to lend my expertise to the development of similar services in Africa, a continent close to my heart due to my upbringing in Reunion Island. BringCom thus emerged- aiming not only to realize personal goals but also to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of telecommunications infrastructure across Africa.
Can you describe the initial problem or need that you identified in the market?
In 2004, there was limited telecommunications infrastructure on the Africa continent and growing demand for voice and data services. Satellite VSAT technology emerged as a viable solution due to its rapid deployment capabilities and increasingly competitive pricing of equipment and services, thus addressing the pressing need for connectivity across the continent.
What was the original vision for the company?
When I started BringCom, the aim was clear: to provide Africa with dependable connectivity solutions at competitive prices. While some companies pursued a strategy of compromising quality for affordability, I believed Africa deserved better. Thus, we positioned BringCom to prioritize reliability alongside affordability, ensuring the continent had access to top-tier services at competitive rates.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting the company, and how did you overcome them?
Despite being self-financed initially, BringCom navigated resource constraints by strategically focusing on projects with high success probabilities and leveraging collaborative opportunities, prioritizing shared success over individual gains. Drawing from past professional connections, the company sought collaborations with more experienced entities to compensate for its lack of experience, effectively building projects with familiar faces. Three years post-establishment, BringCom achieved a significant milestone through a merger with LCN, a teleport service provider boasting its own infrastructure. This synergy not only fortified BringCom’s market presence but also enabled expansion into new territories, including the US, the Middle East, and Africa, thereby marking a pivotal juncture in the company’s evolution.
Can you share any anecdotes or stories from the early days of the company that highlight its journey?
In the early days of BringCom, multitasking was the norm, as responsibilities spanned from financial statement preparation to logistical tasks like packaging equipment for African clients and managing customs paperwork. Despite operating with a small team, the company’s significant breakthrough came through a consulting agreement secured by a partner with a West African telecom provider. This pivotal project involved constructing a Cable Landing site to accommodate the SAT-3 fiber cable, which linked South Africa to Europe in 2005, marking a milestone achievement for BringCom with just two full-time employees at the helm.
How did you go about building your team in the early stages, and what qualities were you looking for in your initial hires?
Initially, my team comprised individuals with whom I had previously collaborated, chosen for their adaptability and versatility. Following the merger with LCN, I was fortunate to inherit a committed and skilled workforce. Key qualities sought in team members included the capability to thrive in a small company setting, exhibit versatility in handling various tasks, and demonstrate flexibility in working hours, given the necessity for round-the-clock operations due to time zone differences. This flexibility extended to weekend work, accommodating cultural variations such as countries observing Thursday and Friday as days off.
Stay tuned as we highlight our first organization we chose to support soon and continue our story for our 20th year celebration.