[OLPC_Boston] Fiber Network Arrives in Kenya : 1.28 Terabyte per second:

[Sandra Thaxter]

http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/072309_SEACOM_Fiber_Network_Adds_Connectivity_to_Africa

 SEACOM Fiber Network Adds Connectivity to Africa (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW)
-- Bringing unprecedented capacity and connectivity to Africa, broadband
provider SEACOM (www.seacom.mu) has opened a 1.28 Terabyte per second,
17,000 kilometer, submarine fiber-optic cable system linking south and east
Africa to global networks via India and Europe.

According to its Thursday announcement, the SEACOM network, which cost more
than $650m to build, opens up unprecedented opportunities to governments,
business leaders and citizens to compete globally, drive economic growth and
enhance the quality of life across the continent.

"Today is a historic day for Africa and marks the dawn of a new era for
communications between the continent and the rest of the world," SEACOM
chief executive officer Brian Herlihy said in a statement. "Our tireless
efforts of the past 24 months have come to fruition, and we are proud to be
the first to provide affordable, high quality broadband capacity and
experience to east African economies. Turning the switch 'on' creates a huge
anticipation but ultimately, SEACOM will be judged on the changes that take
place on the continent over the coming years."

*Backhauls link Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; and Kampala,
Uganda with the coastal landing stations and SEACOM is also working with its
national partners to quickly commission the final links to Kigali, Rwanda
and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.*

The SEACOM network was demonstrated at simultaneous events in South Africa,
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique, made possible by SEACOM and
networking technology provider Cisco Systems (www.cisco.com), which
collaborated with SEACOM on a voice, data and video platform to create a
collaborative environment able to carry out live broadcasts and facilitate
real-time, interactive presentations.

Cisco Africa vice president Yvon le Roux said Cisco and SEACOM share the
common goal of making broadband accessible and affordable across Africa to
spur urban and rural growth. "We're working with SEACOM to help transform
Africa by outlining process change, building networks, and then providing
the application services and expertise that support key services for
citizens, such as education, healthcare, public safety, economic
development, and national security," le Roux said in a statement. "SEACOM
will provide the catalyst for African consumers, business and government to
realise the benefits of connectivity and collaboration across the globe."

The new network, however, is not without its critics. A BBC correspondent
noted <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8165077.stm> that Internet service
providers will be able to offer increased bandwidth, but they will not
necessarily be lowering the cost of Internet access. Enterprises, which pay
around $3,000 a month for 1MB satellite links, however, will see their bill
shrink to roughly $600 a month.

-- 
Sandra Thaxter
(cell) 1-617-320-1098
personal email: sandra at thaxter.net
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