PCCW Global provides first direct submarine cable access to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Oct. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- PCCW Global is using this direct connectivity to help international telecommunications operators and multinational enterprises to better connect with the DRC while enabling local operators and businesses to connect around the globe. This direct ultra-high capacity fiber connectivity will improve the reliability of telecommunications services within the country and also reduce international network latency.

WACS has 14 landing stations between the United Kingdom and South Africa and offers the first direct connectivity to Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Togo and the DRC. Connectivity via WACS provides PCCW Global's customers with easy and direct access to the fast-growing markets of Africa and adds to the array of resilience maintained by PCCW Global on other existing African cable systems including SEACOM, EASSy, SAT-3, GLO-1 and TEAMS.

In addition to its new direct access option via WACS, PCCW Global has invested substantially in developing a mix of connectivity options for the DRC which includeterrestrial cross-border fiber networks, access tosubsea cable routes, as well as various satellite connectivity. The multiple routes provide the most reliable service to the DRC while also helping to provide international fiber connectivity to various African landlocked countries.

PCCW Global now provides international connectivity to the DRC via four separate routes whether by sea or trans-national terrestrial options including:

·      West at Kinshasa

·      West at Matadi

·      East at Goma

·      South at Lubumbashi

Mr. James Welch, PCCW Global’s Vice President, EEMEA, said, “We continue to expand and evolve our network coverage in Africa in order to deliver the best connectivity to our customers and to ensure that they have access to the latest telecommunications technology and services no matter where they are and which market they operate in. We believe the mix of connectivity options we are delivering to the DRC will positively enhance the robustness of local telecommunications services and in turn help to drive economic development.”

Mr. Welch added, “Direct access to the world’s international telecommunications infrastructure via WACS means that the people and businesses of the DRC have access to the global Internet without compromising on speed or reliability. We see this as critical for the future.”

Last year, PCCW Global further expanded its footprint extension to Africa by acquiring and integrating Gateway Communications which has enhanced PCCW Global's capabilities in supporting the Asia-Africa trade corridor.