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Brian AYRESCEO, GlobalNet Inc.bayres@globalnet.cm

Development of Telecom Development of Telecom Networks in AfricaNetworks in Africa

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MediaMedia

• Continuing our discussion of yesterday, there are 2 main media used by telecom networks in Africa that interest us: Fiber optic cable Satellite

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Geographical AvailabilityGeographical Availability

• Fiber optic (terrestrial) – in certain cities/countries.

• Fiber optic (undersea) – at coastal locations in West Africa.

• Satellite – everywhere.

• The two media are generally complementary.

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Bandwidth availabiltyBandwidth availabilty

• New Skies Virtually none

• Intelsat None to Africa on certain satellites

• SAT-3 Currently used 20 Gbps Upgrading to 40 Gbps. 120 Gbps is the limit

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ReliabilityReliability

• Fiber Excellent but subject to the response

time of the PTT in time of outage.

• Satellite Excellent but subject to outages of a few

minutes for a few days during eclipses twice per year.

This morning’s comments on VSAT availability.

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Developments (1)Developments (1)

• Fiber Optic Cable, undersea EASSy (NEPAD) IWTGC

• Fiber Optic Cable, terrestrial Rail, pipeline

CBG

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EASSy projectEASSy project

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IWTGCIWTGC

• The submarine cable system will run from Portugal to Cameroon along the coast of West Africa and will link Nigeria, Benin, Liberia, Senegal, Cote d'lvoire and Ghana.

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Developments (2)Developments (2)

• Satellite New

RASCOM (2006)NSS-8 (2006)

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RASCOM – C & Ku bandRASCOM – C & Ku band

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RASCOM – Ku bandRASCOM – Ku band

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RASCOM – C bandRASCOM – C band

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NSS-8 TranspondersNSS-8 Transponders

• 36 x Ku-Band

• 56 x C-Band

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NSS-8 C band West HemiNSS-8 C band West Hemi

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NSS-8 Ku band spot beamNSS-8 Ku band spot beam

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NSS-8 European spotNSS-8 European spot

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"TRUTH and technology will triumph over BS and bureaucracy."

• Rene Anselmo, founder of PanAmSat

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Dog SpotDog Spot

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MergersMergers Intelsat and PanAmSat

Fleet of 53 satellites28 from Intelsat, 25 from PanAmSatGood news – economy of scale

• Better prices§

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Fiber Optic vs SatelliteFiber Optic vs Satellite

• Is there a choice? Not necessarily.

Maybe only satellite available – go satellite.Maybe fiber less expensive – go fiber.

They are complementary.

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Fiber Optic vs Satellite (2)Fiber Optic vs Satellite (2)

• Is a homogeneous network necessary? It is not even possible at the moment,

unless it is satellite. Why should it be necessary?

Why not use the best of fiber and satellite?

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Fiber Optic vs Satellite (3)Fiber Optic vs Satellite (3)

• Pricing Is satellite more expensive than fiber? SAT-3 Fiber: $3.7 / kbps in Cameroon. Fiber pricing in other countries? Satellite pricing $2 to $6, depending on

satellite, beam, etc.

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Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

• Brian Ayres

currently based at GlobalNet Guinée

bayres@globalnet.cm