- 2Africa Submarine Cable ushers in unprecedented internet speeds of 180 terabytes per second.
- The cable is a success story of partnership between Tanzania, Airtel Tanzania and 2Africa Submarine Cable.
- The cable comes at a time Tanzania is rolling out 5G internet WIFI in business parks, and public transport centres.
In a historic development, 2Africa Submarine Cable, the world’s longest submarine communication fibre link, has successfully reached the shores of Tanzania. Spanning 45,000 kilometers and interconnecting over 33 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe, this cable will benefit more than three billion individuals worldwide.
2Africa Submarine Cable a success story of PPP
Spearheaded through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the government and Airtel Tanzania, the 2Africa Submarine Cable marks the dawning of a new era in the realm of communication. Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, expressed his optimism about the transformative potential of this project, terming it a “new era in the communication sector.”
Minister Nnauye conveyed the government’s confidence in the newly established state-of-the-art communication network taking shape within Tanzania. This monumental feat coincides with Tanzania’s introduction to 5G internet speeds, creating a synergistic blend of cutting-edge technologies.
The convergence of the 2Africa Submarine Cable and 5G technology heralds an era of heightened data capacity, particularly beneficial for the burgeoning digital industry. The implications for Tanzania’s economic landscape are profound, as improved digital capabilities equate to amplified government revenues.
Minister Nnauye’s assertive words echo the sentiment that Tanzania is eyeing to not only become the communication hub of East Africa but a model for the continent. “The 2Africa Submarine Cable will elevate internet speed and quality by over tenfold compared to existing cables, while simultaneously contributing to cost reduction in communication services,” he elaborated.
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Internet speeds of 180 terrabytes per second
This assertion is well-founded; the prevailing connectivity cables within the nation possess an average speed of 16 terabytes per second. The advent of the 2Africa submarine cable ushers in unprecedented speeds of 180 terabytes per second. This is an astronomical leap of 11.25 times compared to any existing cables.
In tandem with Tanzania’s digital connectivity initiative, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced a pioneering move: the provision of free WIFI in all small-scale traders’ business centers nationwide. This progressive step ensures accessibility to advanced connectivity, even in traditionally underserved areas.
Mr. Dinesh Balsingh, the Managing Director of Airtel Tanzania, lauded this synergy of a high-capacity submarine cable and accelerated 5G internet access. He anticipates these developments will catalyze Tanzania’s digital transformation. He contends that the strategy will propell smart applications that will drive multiple industries towards digitalization.
The deployment of Airtel 5G and the 2Africa Submarine Cable Landing Station constitutes a landmark moment. This convergence will usher in a wave of change and improvement in customer service sector. As a result, this will underscore the collaboration between the Tanzania and key investors in the sector.
With the emergence of 5G, an array of benefits ranging from enhanced business development and economic growth to streamlined government processes will unfold. The rapidity of 5G, with speeds reaching up to 10Gbps, signifies a remarkable 100-fold enhancement over 4G. These heightened speeds translate to superior data transfers and tangible improvements in user experiences.
Also Read: Scaling new frontiers – the potential of 5G for Africa
2Africa Submarine cable, 5G signal transformation
Importantly, 5G technology boasts significantly lower latency, equating to quicker signal transmission. Experts assert that 5G latency will outpace human visual processing, enabling near-real-time remote device control. The implications are vast, extending to automated systems in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics. These sectors stand to gain tremendously from reduced latency.
Beyond expedited connectivity, the amalgamation of higher speed and network capacity inherent to 5G technology facilitates the transmission of significantly larger data volumes than was feasible with the previous 4G LTE networks. The implications of this advancement ripple into the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It envisages the birth of smart homes, smart cities, and energy-efficient solutions that cater to personalized needs.
In essence, the 2Africa Submarine Cable’s arrival and the ongoing introduction of 5G technology signify a transformative period. These dual advancements could redefine the scope of connectivity, and underpin economic expansion. They are set to propel Tanzania to the forefront of the global technological landscape. As 5G’s potential unfolds, its influence will permeate sectors ranging from communication to environment and beyond. The development is set to propel Tanzania into a future where the possibilities are limitless.
