The marine survey for the sea cable system (Seacom), which will link South and East Africa to global networks in India, Middle East and Europe, will start in SA shortly, says US-based Herakles Telecommunications.
Seacom encompasses the design, construction and operation of a privately funded submarine fibre optic cable system that provides high-capacity bandwidth connectivity between SA, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, India and Europe. It is expected to become commercially available in the first quarter of 2009.
It is expected to compete with the East African Undersea Cable System (Eassy), a collaborative effort between African countries through the New Partnership for Africa Development. Seacom will also provide African telecoms providers with equal and open access to bandwidth.
Herakles says the bandwidth will be inexpensive, removing the international infrastructure bottleneck and supporting East and South African economic growth.
Tyco Telecommunications, a division of Tyco Electronics, a global supplier for today's undersea communications requirements, has been contracted to conduct the marine survey for the undersea fibre optic cable system.
Ship in harbour
Herakles says a marine survey vessel called the "Fugro Gauss" arrived in Durban harbour earlier this week. It will begin surveying the route along the eastern coast of Africa shortly, the company says in a media statement.
"We are pleased by the progress made by Tyco Telecommunications," says Herakles VP Brian Herlihy.
He says the arrival of the Fugro Gauss in the Durban harbour to start the marine survey is a reassurance to the African communities that the project will meet deadlines.
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