New Africa’s wait for speedier broadband service is over!
Government-funded East African Marine System (TEAMS) puts slow internet connection to rest as it lays down the new high-speed undersea cable which connects the region to all parts of the globe.
This has news of faster connection and lowered costs is most welcomed by Kenyans whose highest internet speed for residences is pegged at mere 1 Mbps. Currently, price details for the connections are being debated since the costs are close to $1,500 yearly, while an average Kenyan earns just around $800 annually.
Despite Seacom cable having gone live since August and many Kenyan residences and businesses benefiting from increased speeds at lower expenses, government officials are still tracking down ISPs deemed to be ripping off users. This came after numerous reports that connection is only possible after dark and on weekends. The expensive satellite connection that Kenyans and East Africans opted to use until Seacom was launched was also seen detrimental to business growths due to slow connection.
Many web developers and programmers have expressed disgust over costly, snail-paced connections which prevented them from making profits. They await TEAMS’ promised delivery with apprehension that only stable businesses and affluent individuals might benefit from the faster but pricy connection.
But with TEAMS offered 1.28 terabits per second, the government informs the public that high-speed and low-cost internet will soon be available. In fact, BBC got a report from government spokesperson Bitange Ndemo that the TEAMS cable is functional and not overhyped as some entities and groups claim.
Ndemo also expressed positive views of the growing market and East Africa being a key player in development through the TEAMS contribution.
Meanwhile, arguments go back and forth regarding the market forces. Many claim that speedy internet access should have low costing so that many connections will be seen, while on the opposite force claims the costs are high because of limited users.
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BBC News
