This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
On August 21, 2019, SEACOM announced plans to double its data capacity on its broadband submarine cable system from 1.5 terabytes to 3 terabytes.
This move aims to support the increasing demand for cloud-based data processing by companies with multinational operations across the continent.
According to SEACOM CEO Byron Clatterbuck, the decision is driven by the shift in connectivity requirements, with more content and computing power moving onto the continent.
"It's not just about connecting from Africa to Europe and Asia anymore," Clatterbuck said. "A lot of content and computing power is moving onto the continent, so connectivity requirements are becoming more regional, and specifically interregional. With such a complex environment, greater capacity is essential."
SEACOM has already been providing direct broadband access to corporate customers through its SEACOM Business arm, enabling cloud-based operations for various companies through high-speed, secure, and reliable connectivity to platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.
The company plans to expand further inland, widening fibre access across the continent while targeting large and medium corporations with its premium offerings.
"You will see more terrestrial cables being laid, and the quality of those builds will get better," Clatterbuck explained.
He added, "This isn't to say there aren't challenges. There is a long way to go in terms of basic infrastructure provision, relating to roads, rails, and highways, all of which make it easier and more affordable to deploy fibre-optic networks."
