Video-on-demand (VOD) service ShowMax is now connected to Teraco's NAPAfrica - the largest Internet exchange point (IXP) in Africa.
"Streaming video over the Internet isn't difficult, but maintaining a consistently high quality service can be. By joining NAPAfrica, we're aiming to reduce latency and network hops, which ultimately means faster response times, fewer buffering events and a better overall customer experience. ISPs should also benefit from this move through reduced transit costs," says Mike Raath, head of distribution at ShowMax.
Originally launched in 2015, ShowMax is available in 65 countries and says it houses Africa's largest subscription video entertainment catalogue.
"We recently announced we'd surpassed the 20 million cumulative views mark - a serious achievement for a business little more than a year old. Given the increasing traffic volumes, this peering agreement is coming at exactly the right time to help us continue to deliver the best possible video quality," Raath adds.
"The decision by ShowMax to join NAPAfrica is encouraging for the continent. It not only supports Africa's growth, but it also underpins the importance and role of Internet exchanges and further establishes NAPAfrica as the free peering point for the continent," says Michele McCann, business development manager at Teraco.
NAPAfrica is a non-profit entity fully funded by Teraco with the goal of bringing Africa's content to the world and the world's content to Africa. The IXP has more than 216 members live on the eXchange, since launching in 2012, and is approaching more than 140Gb of peering traffic. Its members include Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom Internet, Netflix, Afrihost and Vox.
Share