Seacom announces $15 million to improve African internet access

19 April 2011

Internet access across Africa is set to be boosted with news that Seacom has launched a $15 million (£9.1 million) Internet Protocol (IP) platform which allows direct routing between African countries through a single seamless network.

The undersea fibre optic cable system operator said that the investment would enable customers to communicate with multiple African nations using the shortest path without internet traffic being transferred through Europe.

According to the company's chief executive officer, Brian Herlihy, the growth of the African information and communication technology market, will result in a rapid increase in content on African soil.

"The majority of internet content consumed in Africa currently is non-African, flowing from Europe and North America into Africa.

"However, the rest of the world would be viewing media generated in and stored on the African continent in the near future."

It comes after MTN announced it will be investing millions in improving Africa's internet access by introducing a 14,000km ultra-high capacity fibre optic submarine cable system which links Southern Africa and Europe.

Category: ICT