Everything you need to know about Equiano

The Equiano cable went live in 2023 and it improves digital connectivity between Africa and Europe. Subsea fibre-optic cables form a central part of the global internet infrastructure and Equiano is the latest cable to use this technology. Enabling high-speed intercontinental data transfers and seamless connectivity, this cable enhances connectivity in South Africa.

The Equiano cable is named after Olaudah Equiano, an enslaved African writer who was instrumental in the abolitionist movement. It spans 15 000 kilometres from Portugal to South Africa, with branching units along the way to other African countries. The Equiano cable provides increased internet capacity and improved reliability for users.

SEACOM recently went live on this submarine cable, which brings numerous benefits to our enterprise and business customers, especially in terms of fibre connectivity. It is expected that the cable will give South African businesses access to fibre internet with latency speeds of around 110 milliseconds between South Africa and Europe, with up to 20 times more network capacity.

A new generation of fibre optics for Africa

The subsea cable is seven times larger than other cables connecting Europe and South Africa. It heralds a new generation for subsea fibre optics, significantly increasing internet capacity in the region. With 12 fibre pairs, the Equiano cable has the capacity of 144 terabytes per second (Tbps). Equiano is currently the most technologically advanced subsea cable system.

Low latency internet provides faster response times and improves the overall user experience. It reduces the delay between the request and the response of an online application, website or service.

This is particularly important for businesses that require real-time communication, such as video conferencing or live streaming. It is also crucial for industries such as finance and trading, where even a fraction of a second delay can result in significant financial losses.

Socio-economic impact of Equiano

Equiano is expected to bring about many positive changes to the region, boosting investment and trade opportunities. Internet connectivity is a crucial factor for many investors. Foreign direct investment (FDI) often involves setting up operations in new regions, and businesses need reliable and high-speed internet connectivity to communicate with their global teams, access data and connect with customers or suppliers.

Seamless connectivity provided by fibre optics enables companies to take advantage of digital technologies, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). This ultimately leads to a significant improvement in productivity and competitiveness. As South Africa continues to develop its internet infrastructure, it is more likely to attract FDI and support economic growth.

From both a macro and micro economic perspective, Equiano is expected to have a profoundly positive socio-economic impact. It provides the infrastructure needed for Society 5.0 – a concept that envisions a highly connected and digital society, underpinned by technological advancements and innovations.

Society 5.0 relies on advanced digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and AI to create more efficient and sustainable systems. By improving industries such as healthcare, transportation and energy, both individuals and businesses stand to gain.

Equiano cable for enterprise connectivity

SEACOM has acquired a fibre pair on the Equiano Cable Express Route. As the fastest direct path between South African and European data centres, enterprises across different industries stand to benefit from reduced latency and improved digital performance.

With SEACOM Business, internet service providers (ISPs), telcos, content providers and other large enterprises have access to our dedicated capacity on the Equiano Cable. For more information or to get a quote for our connectivity solutions, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM operates Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including multiple subsea cables and secure internet connections tracing both sides of the continent. This is partnered with broad terrestrial fibre networks in Southern and East Africa, extending services to these regions.

Today, SEACOM provides holistic ICT solutions covering connectivity, cyber security, cloud, smart networking and communication products that provide African businesses with the necessary building blocks to deliver world-class solutions to their clients. We are privately owned and operated, making us agile and adaptable to the needs of our customers.

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