Subscribe
  • Home
  • /
  • Networking
  • /
  • Fibre to the door: 91 182km of metro/ FTTH/ FTTB fibre network in Africa, and counting

Fibre to the door: 91 182km of metro/ FTTH/ FTTB fibre network in Africa, and counting

* Fifty-two African countries are now connected to submarine cables, either directly or by terrestrial cross-border fibre-optic networks; 44% of Africans live within a 25km reach of a fibre node.

* The key question now is which cities and suburbs are taking the lead in building access networks? In an attempt to answer this question, the FTTH Council Africa, in collaboration with Africa Bandwidth Maps, is undertaking research to determine network reach and identify Africa's most connected cities.


Johannesburg, 26 Mar 2015

Africa's inventory of terrestrial transmission networks has more than doubled in the last five years. According to the latest research by Africa Bandwidth Maps, Africa's total inventory of transmission network edges towards 1 million route kilometres; the continent had a total of 586 707km of operational fibre-optic network by December 2014. This comprises long-haul, metropolitan and FTTH/B (fibre-to-the-home/building) terrestrial fibre-optic networks.

Of this inventory of 586 707km of operational terrestrial fibre, at least 91 182km was within cities: metropolitan fibre rings and FTTH/B networks. The metro rings distribute bandwidth from fibre-optic nodes to districts and suburbs around each city. The FTTH/B networks provide the last-mile access, delivering bandwidth right to the door.

Terrestrial fibre reaches 44% of Africa's population

This network expansion has brought dozens of new towns, cities and countries within reach of high capacity national and international fibre backbone networks for the first time. Over the last five years, more than 150 million more Africans live within reach of fibre networks.

By June 2014, 44% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa (410 million) lived within a 25km range of an operational fibre-optic network node. This, compared to 41.8% of the population (371 million) in 2013, 40% (345 million) in 2012, 36.3% (313 million) in 2011, and 30.8% (259 million) in 2010.

The number of people within reach of a broadband service provided by fibre depends on the range of the fixed or wireless broadband access network used from the fibre node. In December 2014, 65.1% of the population (606 million people) lived within a 50km range of an operational fibre-optic network node. This distance of 50km is the maximum theoretical range of a WiMax network. Forty-four percent of the population (410 million) lived within a 25km range, and 22.3% of the population (207 million) lived within a 10km range of an operational fibre network node.

The new measurements now are how many people are within a zero kilometre reach of a fibre backbone. How many homes, public and commercial buildings are plugged directly into the fibre-optic backbone?

FTTH Council Africa survey

The FTTH Council Africa, in partnership with Africa Bandwidth Maps, announces its intention to conduct annual research to track FTTH/B penetration. Measuring penetration is critical to understand how the industry is progressing. The research will take place in the form of a short survey and will attempt to document as many metro and FTTH/B networks as possible.

The aim is to determine network reach and ultimately understand how many homes, public and commercial buildings are connected and the rate at which this is growing. If the council knows this, it will better understand what still needs to be done. The FTTH Council Africa would like to see all African operators participate to ensure technical accuracy of the data. The results will, over time, also establish trends and this information is important for the industry.

The survey is now open for network operators to add your network locations on to the map, and to update details on the progress of your FTTH roll-out.

The results for Q1 2015 will be compiled in April 2015. To make sure that your network information is included, and to receive a summary of findings, please complete the survey by 31 March 2015.

To complete the short survey, please click here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/africa_ftth_survey.

The information gathered in this research will be used to compile statistical indicators of FTTH/B penetration in Africa, and to keep the map of metro/ FTTH/ FTTB networks as up-to-date and accurate as possible.

The FTTH fibre map displays the metropolitan, FTTH and FTTB networks which are currently operational. To date, the map contains 191 cities, towns and suburbs served by a total of 76 network operators, providing metro/ FTTH/ FTTx services in sub-Saharan Africa. Use the map to click on a city or suburb to find more information on the network operators providing services, in many cases with operators providing their own interactive coverage maps, coverage checkers, and/or a form to register interest to receive the service.

http://www.ftthcouncilafrica.com/index.php/fibre-map

http://www.africabandwidthmaps.com/ftth/

Share

FTTH Council Africa

The FTTH Council Africa believes the development and deployment of fibre-based broadband networks will enhance the quality of life for citizens in South Africa and Africa as a whole, providing African countries with a future-proof infrastructure that will increase their effectiveness and competitiveness within the global marketplace. The council's charter is to educate Africa governments, policymakers and political leaders on why and how high-speed fibre connectivity can be delivered to citizens within the coming years. Through consultation with all major stakeholders and understanding their strategies and concerns, the FTTH Council Africa endeavours to be the voice of the industry and to help create a better future for all involved.

Africa Bandwidth Maps

Africa Bandwidth Maps (http://www.africabandwidthmaps.com) is maintained by Hamilton Research, a specialist provider of research, analysis and GIS cartographic services for telecoms markets. Hamilton Research has researched Africa's fibre-optic network infrastructure for over 10 years, publishes the Africa Telecom Transmission Map, and maintains a quarterly updated database of Africa's transmission networks.

Paul Hamilton
Hamilton Research Ltd.,
Bath Brewery, Toll Bridge Road,
Bath BA1 7DE, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1225 852554
Fax: +44 (0)1225 852528
hamilton.paul@btinternet.com
http://www.africabandwidthmaps.com

Editorial contacts

Juanita Clark
FTTH Council Africa
(+27) 72 862 5403
juanita@ftthcouncilafrica.com