Most countries in West Africa are at the bottom of a World Bank global ranking on internet penetration.

Figure 1. Google's subsea internet cable lands in Africa for the first time

A subsea cable owned by Google that promises to double internet speeds for millions in Africa arrived in Togo on Friday, the latest step in a multi-year project to provide cheaper access to users across the continent.[1]

Subsea also known as submarine cables, are fiber optic cables that connect countries across the world.

Fiber optic cables are ideal for signal transmission for HD Televisions and good internet because they have more bandwidth and have faster speeds.

Fiber optic cables are also cheaper than copper wires. The cable has approximately 20 times more network capacity than the last cable built to serve the region.

Laid on the ocean floor, the cable can transmit huge amounts of data rapidly from one point to another despite going thousands of miles in length.

“The Equiano cable, the first of its kind to reach Africa, has wound its way from Portugal and will double internet speed for Togo’s 8 million residents,” Google said in a statement.

This type of cable was first introduced by the company back in 2019 and has already made rounds in Europe.

Equiano will further enhance the world’s highest capacity and best-connected international network.

Over the next five years, google says 300 million people will come online in Africa and the cable promises to improve connectivity and bring the benefits of technology to more Africans. [2]

The new line will also make land in Nigeria, Namibia, and South Africa, with possible branches offering connections to nearby countries. It is expected to start operating by the end of the year.

Most countries in West Africa are at the bottom of a World Bank global ranking on internet penetration.

Togo will be the first to benefit. The cable is expected to reduce internet prices by 14% by 2025, according to an Africa Practice and Genesis Analytics assessment commissioned by Google.

Google said the cable will indirectly create 37,000 jobs in Togo by 2025 and boost GDP by $193 million.[3]

References:

1. https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/google-internet-cable-lands-in-africa-promising-fast-connection-7828220/
2. https://www.africa-press.net/eritrea/all-news/googles-subsea-internet-cable-lands-in-africa-for-the-first-time
3. https://ln247.news/google-internet-cable-lands-in-africa-promising-fast-connection/

Cite this article:

Sri Vasagi K, Google internet cable lands in Africa, AnaTechmaz, pp. 60