Seacom's ICT trial for 500Gb/s network proves successful

1 August 2011

Seacom has revealed its ICT project to trial five 100Gb/s optical transmissions in an attempt to boost South Africa's communications infrastructure has been successful.

Together with US digital optical networking equipment supplier Infinera Corp, Seacom transmitted 500Gb/s over the 930 km-long Dark Fibre Africa route.

Information travelled a distance of 1,732 km between KwaZulu Natal and Johannesburg, demonstrating that the network works.

Infinera's Photonic Integrated Circuits were used, which puts the five different communication channels on one chip, meaning that varying information can be sent at the same time.

Chief executive officer of Seacom Brian Herlihy said this is a "landmark achievement".

He stated: "The trial demonstrates Seacom's commitment to increase the pace at which African networks are deploying cutting-edge telecommunications infrastructure technology to support Africa's rise as a primary scientific and business destination."

This news comes after the organisation recently announced it will invest R100 million (£9.04 million) in purchasing optical fibre links from Dark Fibre Africa to improve the country's ICT services. 

Category: ICT