Seacom's submarine fibre-optic network is set to be upgraded - a development that will see its capacity more than double.
As part of the independent cable company's multimillion-dollar investment programme for 2012, Seacom says it will run trials with 40Gbps and 100Gbps terminal equipment during the third quarter of the year. This is a progression from the network's existing 10Gbps transmission technology deployed on the system when it was launched in 2009.
The initial upgrade, from 10Gbps to 40Gbps, will boost Seacom's design capacity of 1.28Tbps to at least 2.56Tbps. “Our move to [the new technology] will effectively more than double the current design capacity of the network.”
Beating the curve
According to the company, the move to upgrade comes as demand for connectivity continues to “aggressively” increase, and is in line with its commitment to building the African Internet, of which SA is a key market. “Seacom wants to ensure we continue to be ahead of the curve.”
The company would not divulge the exact financial outlay and implications with regard to the latest upgrade plan, saying only: “It is a cost-effective option for Seacom to provide additional capacity.”
Launched on 23 July three years ago, Seacom's fibre-optic network covers a distance of over 17 000km, directly connecting SA and Eastern Africa with Europe and Southern Asia.
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