Nairobi, (IT News Africa)–A PRICE war looms in the African broadband market as the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) races towards its June 2010 launch deadline.
Already two fibre optic cable systems, Seacom and TEAMs came online in July.
EASSy is a new 10,000km submarine cable system currently being constructed along the east coast of Africa.
It is owned and operated by a group of African operators and international investors who own 92 percent and 8 percent respectively.
Speaking in Nairobi, Chris Wood, CEO of the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), said the cable would be laid down in September and is expected to be finished in June next year.
“Much of the focus today is on price. WIOCC is in a strong position to be competitive, on price-our cost base for the cable build is low. We are also developing a roadmap of service offerings for our customer base that will provide more than point-to-point connectivity.
“These will form a key part of our value proposition to customers going forward,” he said.
Adding that WIOCC is designed for carriers requiring the most cost-effective solution for long-term, assured bandwidth between specific locations.
“It is about who has got the most competitive long-term business plan to reduce the cost of bandwidth to the coastal and landlocked countries,” he added.
WIOCC, a Mauritius based company, boasts the single largest shareholding with a 29 per cent stake in the EASSy cable and currently has an office in Nairobi.
By Brian Adero
