New cable project could 'bring new prosperity'

7 September 2009

The new underwater cable Glo 1 could "bridge the digital divide between Africa and the rest of the world," operator Globacom has said.

Launching the Nigerian side of the project in Lagos over the weekend, Globacom's group executive director Paddy Adenuga told reporters this progress could provide the opportunity for West Africa to take a big step forward, as well as facilitate foreign investment and employment opportunities in the region.

"[Glo 1] will stimulate a new era of prosperity in the continent by offering cheap, fast and reliable international calls, unprecedented fast access to the internet and revolutionary data transfer," he told Nigerian newspaper ThisDay.

With 9,800 kilometres of cable running between New York, the UK and the landing station in Lagos, the system currently offers a capacity of 640 gigabits per second and could eventually allow for 2.5 terabits per second.

Mr Adenuga estimated that Glo 1's capacity could cater for Nigeria's broadband needs for decades to come.

The programme was constructed by Alcatel-Lucent Technologies of France.

Category: ICT