Aerial optic fibre will drive connectivity in W’Africa – Expert
The aerial optic fibre network operated by Phase3 Telecom has been
identified as one of the key initiatives that will drive connectivity in the
West Africa sub region in the coming years. This assertion came during the
just-concluded African Peering and Interconnection Forum organised by the
Internet Society held in Accra, Ghana. ISOC is a non-profi t organisation that
provides leadership in Internet related standards, education and policy.
According to a member of ISOC, Mike Jensen, Phase 3 Telecom’s network
is one of those projects that have attracted interest of experts globally
especially in the quest towards building a reliable internet in the West African
region. He noted that the high expectation followed the recent signing of an
agreement by Phase3 Telecom with INEO Du Energie of France to expand its West
Africa One transmission network coverage from the Republic of Benin to Togo.
According to Jensen, with this development, Phase3 Telecom becomes the
first regional fibre optic cable network provider in West Africa to operate a
international fibre backbone interconnecting six West African countries.
Jensen, an independent Information and Communication Technologies consultant
from Brazil, while identifying a number of initiatives currently going in the
continent to boost internet connectivity, explained that the innovative aerial
optic fibre system by Phase3 will improve internet access tremendously.
Jensen, who has assisted in the establishment of ICT systems in
developing countries for more than 20 years, also said that there was a need
for Internet Exchange Points to be established in the continent. According to
him, IXPs are vital elements of Internet infrastructure as they enable networks
to exchange traffi c with each other. To this end also, Phase3 has recently
interconnected at the only IXP in Nigeria, the Internet Exchange Point of
Nigeria Lagos.
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