Faster, cheaper internet due next month

Staff Writer | Friday April 27, 2012 00:00

The 14,000 kilometre West Africa Cable System (WACS) carrying data and telephony services, links Europe to 15 landing stations along the west coast of Africa, including South Africa. With Botswana having no direct link to the sea, government partnered with Namibia to each raise US$37.5 million (P277.5 million at current rates) to 'buy into' the project with other countries.

Botswana and Namibia thus own 9.2 percent of the project, which will be operated on an open access policy with other stakeholders. When it is launched in Swartkopmund, Namibia mid-May, WACS will become the latest submarine cable system to hit local shores since the East Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy). EASSy went live early last year, immediately lowering internet and mobile costs and allowing a five-year plan for further reductions. With a data rate of 5.12 terabits per second, WACS will be superior to EASSy, which at 3.8 terabits per second is already among the fastest in the world. WACS is designed to support present and future internet, e-commerce, data, video and voice services. A high profile launch is planned for Swartkopmund with the presidents of both countries invited to give speeches during proceedings.

While Office of the President officials were this week unable to confirm President Ian Khama's participation at the launch, it is expected that Transport and Communications Minister, Nonofo Molefhi and other high profile communications sector officials will travel to Namibia. Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Group CEO, Paul Taylor, said WACS would enhance Botswana's international connectivity by providing the nation with high quality and reliable internet accessibility.

'Broadband access is no longer a privilege but a right to be enjoyed by all citizens,' he said in response to Business Week enquiries. 'We are confident that through WACS, internet speed and connectivity will increase considerably at a price that makes internet services affordable for many of our citizens.' BTC Group General Manager (Programme Management), Christopher Diswai said the submarine cable would reduce the cost to connect the west coast of Africa to high-speed global telecommunications network for many years to come.

According to BTC officials, WACS deployment began in 2009 and the four fibre pair system was successfully landed at Swartkopmund, Namibia, on February 8, 2011.

'The system makes use of technology which is upgradable at any stage of the project,' said Diswai. 'Although Telecom Namibia would operate and maintain the cable landing station, BTC and other stakeholders will have access to the facility, and be able to 'co-locate' their services within the station.