INTELLIGENT CABLING
Data highway expands
rapidly through Africa
aratus Africa has activated
additional capacity between West
Africa Undersea Cable System
(WACS) and Lusaka, Zambia. This follows the
recent Paratus Trans Kalahari Fiber project
that was built between the WACS landing
station in Swakopmund and the Zambian
Sesheke border.
This is a prime example of how land-
locked countries that do not have access to
an undersea cable system and can benefit
from the fibre highway.
Within the group, Paratus Zambia is
the first to take full advantage of the Trans
Kalahari Fiber project. The company now
carries this capacity as far north as the town
of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC).
Paratus Group CEO Barney Harmse views
the extremely volatile economic conditions
as an opportunity to further invest in Africa.
He said: “Our primary focus has been to
establish our own infrastructure and this is
vital to ensure that our operations are able
to provide the best customer experience.”
This project shows that investment
in telecoms infrastructure does have its
benefits and it allows Paratus Africa to
solidify its position as a leader in quality
connectivity across Africa.
Paratus Zambia Country Manager Marius
van Vuuren says this project sets them apart
from their competitors and allows them to
P
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS
Issue 23
leverage the fibre network they are installing
in Zambia. He said: “Joined with the back-
haul network through Namibia, we are now
able to provide more options to our client
base. With the group being able to provide
back-haul, metro and various access options,
we are more competitive and more ready to
service our pan-African client base.”
Harmse added: “We have already
earmarked various infrastructure investment
projects and are stringently investigating the
viability thereof.
“We are confident that by
continuing our investment strategy,
Paratus Africa will become the preferred
pan-African operator.”
39