The history of submarine cable systems in South Africa is intertwined with the evolution of global telecommunications and the continent’s connectivity needs. Here’s a brief overview up until 2024:
1. **Early Connections**: South Africa’s first international telecommunications links were via satellite in the 1960s. However, due to limited capacity and high costs, there was a growing need for submarine cables to improve connectivity.
2. **SAT-1**: In 1993, South Africa connected to the global internet via the South Atlantic Telecommunications (SAT-1) cable, which was the first submarine cable system to link South Africa directly with Europe and the Americas. SAT-1 significantly boosted international communication capabilities for the country.
3. **SAFE**: The South Africa Far East (SAFE) cable was launched in 2002. It connects South Africa to Malaysia and onwards to the rest of Asia. SAFE provided additional redundancy and capacity for South Africa’s international communications.
4. **EASSy**: The East African Submarine System (EASSy) cable, which landed in South Africa in 2010, enhanced connectivity along Africa’s eastern coast. South Africa’s participation in EASSy further integrated its communications infrastructure with the broader African continent.
5. **WACS**: The West Africa Cable System (WACS), launched in 2012, connects South Africa to Europe via the west coast of Africa, providing diverse routing options and enhancing resilience for international communications.
6. **SAEx**: The South Atlantic Express (SAEx) cable project, which is planned to be completed by 2024, aims to further augment South Africa’s connectivity by providing high-capacity links to both South America and North America.
7. **ACE**: The Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) cable, although primarily serving West Africa, also contributes to South Africa’s connectivity indirectly by connecting with other cables in the region and providing additional capacity.
Throughout these developments, South Africa has continuously upgraded its submarine cable infrastructure to meet increasing demand for internet services, international voice calls, data transmission, and to support the growth of the digital economy. These cables have not only improved international connectivity but also reduced latency and costs associated with telecommunications in the region.