Dimension Data's $113 million deal with Botswana Telecommunications (BTC) has moved Africa a step closer to interconnectivity.
The companies struck a deal yesterday to install a fibre optic cable linking Botswana and Namibia.
The installation is part of Nepad's objective of ensuring all African countries are connected to each other via a broadband fibre optic cable that will in turn link these countries to the rest of the world.
DiData will install 816km of Botswana's required 2 400km of fibre optic cable, to complete a fibre ring covering the bulk of the country as well as provide connectivity to Namibia. The fibre optic network will run from Kanye to Mamuno.
Vincent Seretse, CEO of BTC, says this telecommunications infrastructure will play an important role in boosting a growing knowledge-based economy in Botswana and will also attract investors.
"This project is of strategic importance, not only to BTC, but the country as a whole," he says.
He adds BTC, the utility company established to provide and manage Botswana's national and international telecommunications services, chose DiData because it is a "strong industry player" with the skills and experience needed to deliver a project of this magnitude.
Keith Marais, MD of Dimension Data Botswana, says: "The fibre optic network will improve the capacity and reliability of BTC's network."
He adds the new fibre optic network will improve overall quality of service and reduce congestion and dropped calls.
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