2Africa Procurement Tips (Updated Due To New Information) - Part 1

***Senegal is the one of the most challenging on-net 2Africa countries.

1. Sonatel appears to have a monopoly on Dakar metro fibre. This spells trouble.

2. Sonatel's landline infrastructure monopoly may be one reason many 2Africa consortium members declined capacity into Senegal, despite its strategic location as the natural Northwest Africa telecom hub. Another reason might be their lack of mobile operations in that country as Senegal is a small market.

3. ONIX data center is the place to be in Senegal. Carrier neutral and on-net for 2Africa. Most African ISPs coming to me for advice plan to make ONIX their home.

4. I expect 100G pricing to be high due to the dearth of capacity. Figure low 30s for 100Gs to Europe and upper 20s for 100Gs to West African countries.

***Ghana is much friendlier. Many 2Africa carriers are on-net at the CLS and also the very popular PAIX data center. In fact, I know one that has built a ring from the CLS to PAIX reflecting strong demand for the latter.

1. Metro dark fibre is available in Accra.

2. Metro 100Gs are $3K. Cheap.

***List of Important 2Africa POPs:

Country; City; Landing Point; POP.

1. South Africa; Cape Town; Duynefontein CLS; CT1, CT2 or ADC facilities.

2. South Africa; Port Elizabeth; Port Elizabeth CLS; Port Elizabeth CLS.

3. South Africa; Amanzimtoti; Riverhorse DC; Riverhorse DC.

4. Tanzania; Dar Es Salaam; CLS in Zantel Park DC; POP: Zantel Park DC.

5. Kenya; Mombasa South; CLS in iColo MBA2 DC; POP: iColo MBA2.

6. Djibouti; Haramous; CLS=Djibout Data Center; POP=Djibouti Data Center.

7. Sudan; Port Sudan; Port Sudan CLS; POP=Port Sudan CLS.

8. Italy; Genoa; CLS=Equinix Genoa; POP=Equinix Genoa.

9. France; Marseille; Interxion DC; Interxion DC.

10. South Africa; Cape Town; Yzerfontein; CT1, CT2 or ADC facilities.

11. Democratic Republic of Congo; Muanda; 2Africa CLS; TBD.

12. Nigeria; Lagos; MDXI Lekki DC; MDXI Lekki DC.

13. Nigeria; Port Harcourt (Kwa Ibo); Mainone DC; Mainone DC.

14. Ghana; Accra; PAIX DC; PAIX DC.

15. Ivory Coast; Abidjan; PAIX DC; PAIX DC.

16. Portugal; Carcavelos; Altice DC LDV; Altice DC LDV & LS1.

17. UK; Bude; Slough LD7; Slough LD7.

Note: The landing point houses the optical equipment. It may be the CLS, but does not have to be. Each 2Africa consortium member chooses where it keeps its DWDM kit. Sometimes at the CLS. Sometimes at a carrier neutral facility.

***The combination of 2Africa and Equiano providing service to Lisbon, Lagos, and Capetown should sharply lower the already low prices on these routes. Expect expensive 100Gs to be low twenties and the low end of the range to reach $15K.

***2Africa pricing will remain high in places like Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and DRC in part because customers will migrate from less reliable and more expensive cables like ACE and WACS to 2Africa. It will be a stampede. High ACE and WACS cross connect charges make 2Africa 50% to 80% cheaper in some countries.

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Map of Fibre Optic Subsea 2Africa Cable


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