Connectivity to/from Somalia via EASSy cable to launch 2014

WIOCC and local shareholder Dalkom Somalia, has announced that it will launch connectivity to/from Somalia via the EASSy cable from Q1 2014, offering services directly from Mogadishu to the rest of the world. Capacity will be available from 2Mbps to 10Gbps and above.
Chris Wood
Chris Wood

Somalia has reportedly become one of the most competitive telecoms markets in Africa, with some of the lowest international call rates on the continent. However, access to the internet is very limited - in 2000, Somalia was one of the last countries in Africa to get connected. With speed and quality severely constrained and costs high, internet penetration rates are low, with only an estimated 1.3% of the 10-million population having any access.

Restricted rollout and uptake

Chris Wood, WIOCC CEO, commented: "Until now, Somalia has been served exclusively by satellite - with high costs and limited bandwidth severely restricting the rollout and uptake of internet access and advanced services.

"WIOCC and Dalkom will be the first into commercial operation with international fibre-optic connectivity direct into Mogadishu. The new services from WIOCC will reduce the cost of international bandwidth and drive significant improvements in performance. I anticipate huge benefits for telcos and internet service providers, local and international businesses, Embassies and other foreign Government facilities, and the academic and research community in Somalia. Improved access to the internet will also have a profound effect on the day-to-day lives of the people of Somalia. WIOCC's partner, Dalkom Somalia, is building a 1,0002 data centre to host equipment for all Mogadishu telcos and ISPs to facilitate direct connection into the international fibre network."

Mohamed Ahmed Jama, CEO of Dalkom Somalia, added, "To complement the new connectivity to EASSy, Dalkom Somalia is building a fibre-optic metropolitan area network that will extend connectivity to customers within Mogadishu. This entire initiative will greatly benefit the growing number of international organisations and local business entrepreneurs there, as well as the people of Somalia.

"We operate an open access policy and encourage all local operators and ISPs to take advantage of the new infrastructure we are bringing to our country."


 
For more, visit: https://www.bizcommunity.com