Paratus Botswana is launching the SADC Highway, a new fiber route connecting Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The project includes a 500-kilometer segment from Gaborone to Plumtree, set for completion by February 2025. It aims to enhance rural connectivity, reduce costs for smaller providers, and deliver up to 11 terabits of capacity, marking Paratus’s fourth fiber route in Southern Africa.
Paratus Botswana is spearheading the establishment of a new fiber route known as the SADC Highway, which will facilitate enhanced connectivity across Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Set to connect Gaborone to Livingstone via Plumtree, the initial segment spans approximately 500 kilometers and is anticipated to be finalized by February 2025. This initiative, part of the Paratus Group’s Southern Continental Agenda, aims to improve network coverage in rural areas and reduce operational costs for smaller service providers by delivering an additional capacity of up to 11 terabits.
This communication endeavor represents Paratus Botswana’s fourth fiber route, complementing existing links into South Africa and Namibia. By enhancing its infrastructure, Paratus consolidates its status as a communications hub within Southern Africa, demonstrating foresight in meeting regional connectivity needs. Shawn Bruwer, Country Managing Director of Paratus Botswana, remarked on the project’s significance, highlighting that several operators have already secured capacity along this critical route.
Furthermore, the SADC Highway promises critical redundancy for existing connections via South Africa and offers lower latencies than conventional pathways. An added benefit includes connectivity to the Equiano subsea cable, which is expected to stimulate economic growth across the continent. Additionally, Paratus operates in multiple African nations, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique, and extends its services to over 35 countries through satellite connectivity. In recent months, the company has launched various initiatives, including a fiber express route to Europe and agreements to provide satellite internet services, positioning itself at the forefront of telecommunications in Africa.
The establishment of the SADC Highway fiber route is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity within Southern Africa. Paratus Botswana, a key player in this initiative, is dedicated to improving communication infrastructure in the region. With its expansion efforts, including launching new fiber routes and establishing agreements for satellite services, Paratus aims to meet the growing demands for high-speed internet and data services, particularly in rural areas. This project not only signifies a substantial investment in regional connectivity but also aligns with broader goals of enhancing economic diversification and technological advancement in Botswana and its neighboring countries.
In conclusion, Paratus Botswana’s initiative to create the SADC Highway marks a significant advancement in regional telecommunications, promising improved connectivity between Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. By offering increased capacity and reliability, this project not only enhances service provision for local operators but also solidifies Paratus’s role as a pivotal communications hub in Southern Africa. The anticipated benefits are expected to facilitate economic growth and provide critical infrastructure necessary for a modern telecommunications landscape.
Original Source: www.connectingafrica.com
