Underseas fiber-optic network plans announced in South AfricaCreated: 5/3/2011 8:19:07 AMIncreased internet speeds and large broadband bandwidths are a desirable commodity for many nations seeking to improve their economic standing. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, South Africa, has this goal in mind, and as a result has agreed to connect a fiber-optic cable line to London, England.
The initiative will greatly increase the internet capacity of the Australia, states the news source. The project, which is funded by investors, is expected to cost $AU650 million and will feature 8,700 miles of cable that will be installed along the west African coast in a submarine network. The project is called the West Africa Cable System (WACS).
The WCAS may also benefit additional countries besides South Africa. According to the media outlet, there are plans to create 10 access points to the cable network as it snakes along the continent's shoreline, which may eventually provide internet services to the region as a whole.
Submarine fiber-optic installations are becoming more common. According to Light Wave, the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu has commissioned an undersea network that will link it to the nearby nation of Fiji.
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