Bandwidth for Africa?

Just when Internet users across eastern and southern Africa have doubtless given up on ever getting fast, reliable broadband, some small hope may have been rekindled this week. Work has begun on a new undersea cable which will connect South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania and Kenya, before linking up with the rest of the world.

Unlike an existing project, Eassy, which has been dogged by political bickering since 2002, this new cable will be backed by private investors, no doubt aware of the pent-up demand for decent Internet connectivity. Although it’s early days yet (a ship charting the route of the cable only left the port of Durban this week), the prospect of competition for the supply of bandwidth can only be good news.

Meanwhile, the prospect of another cable on Africa’s West coast emerged this month, backed by South Africa’s government as part of its preparations for the 2010 World Cup. A chance for hope after all?