Kenya has launched its sixth submarine internet cable, worth $400 million, as part of efforts to improve the country’s internet access. The cable will provide high-speed, low-latency, and greater bandwidth internet services.
The cable will run along the Europe-Asia route, connecting Africa to France and Pakistan and enabling direct link to Asia, reducing communication delays between Africa and Asia.
Peace Cable and Telkom Kenya have collaborated on the launch.
Kenya has the most expensive mobile data in East Africa, according to the global Mobile Data Index.
The 15,000-kilometre cable, on the other hand, is projected to provide more flexible digital connectivity choices, such as high speeds of 200 Gbps per single wavelength and a total capacity of 192 Terabits per second, as well as dependable and secure data access.
The country is in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), according to ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, and fast internet bandwidth is in high demand.
“Right now, you can enjoy 5G data speeds at Uhuru Gardens. 5G smartphone penetration in Kenya is growing. More online business opportunities will be unlocked by this cable,” Mucheru said, speaking at the launch.
Peace and Telkom rely on fibre optics to transmit light signals which are encoded with data over long distances.
“Peace will bring more diversified digital connection options and provide high-speed, large-capacity, and stable data access opportunities to Kenya,” Peace Cable’s chief operating officer, Sun Xiaohua said.
Telkom Kenya CEO Mugo Kibati stated that it is critical to contribute to Kenya’s strategic transformation into a digital economy, particularly through the usage of the internet.
“This ultra-high-capacity cable will assist Kenya and the region in meeting its current and future broadband capacity requirements as well as assist carriers in providing affordable services to Kenyans.
“This is in line with our long-term goal of effectively addressing the digital transformation being witnessed in Kenya and the region, as we seek to become the technology partner of choice in these markets,” Kibati said.
Telkom Kenya currently manages five to six internet cables in the East African country.