2009 was the year of Seacom. Now that it’s been ready and rumbling for a few months, will its impact continue into the new year?
For months Africa’s IT professionals and analysts expressed both uncertainty and enthusiasm over the effect that the Seacom fibre optic cable would have on ADSL broadband and other factors which previously prohibited internet access in Africa.
Seacom, which became operational at the end of July 2009, effectively links South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda to Europe and Asia, connecting the African countries to the global broadband network.
There was particular skepticism around claims that the arrival of Seacom would effect a drop in ADSL prices of up to 90 percent. However towards the end of 2009 some major internet service providers (ISPs) started either to cut prices or up data caps, both of which spelled better consumer value.