AFRICA CONNECTIVITY - SEACOM IS JUST THE BEGINNING

SeaCom is just the beginning !

By 2011 a number of new cables will be online on both the east and west coast of Africa...

Courtesy of: http://manypossibilities.net/african-undersea-cables/

I have just returned from Gaborone, Botswana, where I was launching the first comprehensive online business directory in Botswana.

Site available at: www.yellowpages.bw

Driving through Gabs the evidence of the exploding internet connectivity, in particular 3G mobile options, was highlighted by the numerous billboards lining the roadways and at the large traffic circles synonomous with Gabs, offering email and internet connection services.

And Seacom has landed and is now online - although at the Seacom stand at the recent Internet Solutions hosted, Internetix 1 day conference I attended in Johannesburg, it was noted that even though Seacom is connected its up to the various ISP's subcribing to Seacom services to filter the extra bandwidth down to its user/client base ie you and me - joe and joan public!

So 24/7 video streaming web tv will have to wait just a bit longer!

However looking at the manypossibilities.net site, and the planned additional new undersea cables that will bring so much more bandwidth connectivity on both the east and west coast, I would say Africa is in for some interesting times ahead as a new chapter in its socio-economic development will unfold.

The impact on traditional telecomms solutions will be of particular interest, as new IP [internet protocol] based telecomms alternatives become available.

Another very interesting project is O3B [The Other 3 Billion] - which aims to use low orbit satellites to cover areas not being reached by fibre optic cable.

Check it out at: www.o3bnetworks.com

What does this all mean for us creative/media types ?

Well new canvas's to paint, new design architecture and methodologies to develop and employ to create the new solutions and content for the uniquely African possibilities that will emerge from this technological revolution.

New memes, new viral socio-cultural impacts for the emerging nouveau Afrique.