SEACOM's True Broadband Experience

Week-long public exhibition showcases opportunities unleashed by real broadband

Seacom Fast Facts

SEACOM, Cisco Systems, Dimension Data, Microsoft and Neotel launch a week long public exhibition in Sandton, Johannesburg.
A 155Mbps dedicated link connected to the Internet in London will be provided through the SEACOM network.
There will be 30 computers on-site to demonstrate practical applications and products that can be used with improved broadband availability.

Broadband Experience Details

SEACOM, Cisco Systems, Dimension Data, Microsoft and Neotel today launched a week long public exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, to showcase some of the many possibilities unleashed by the newly available bandwidth on the continent.

The exhibition, which runs until 18 October, will allow the general public, businesses and educational institutions to witness, interact and experience the many applications enabled by true broadband. The exhibition area will showcase a multitude of practical applications and products that can be delivered through the availability of real broadband. These range from healthcare applications to gaming, as well as home and office products.

Opened daily from 10h00 to 18h00, the exhibition offers a learning experience for all interested in what the future of telecommunications holds and how it will enable southern Africa and the rest of the continent to participate and contribute in the developments brought about by the advance of online connectivity.

SEACOM has an agenda of activities aimed at school children, university students, end-users and corporates. A 155Mbps dedicated link connected directly to the Internet in London will be provided through the SEACOM network and plugged into 30 computers on-site. By way of example, the speed provided equates to downloading 15 full length DVDs per hour or connecting two million telephone calls simultaneously.

This event is the perfect platform to experience what the Internet should be for all; lightning fast downloads, Internet based TV and movie viewing and YouTube videos free of buffering regardless of their length.

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A lot has been said in South Africa about the dawn of better, faster and cheaper connectivity but it is often difficult to explain what true broadband actually is and how it translates beyond traditional Internet usage. We are positive that the range of applications and services on display at the exhibition will offer everyone an inspiring glance into the future of telecommunications. - Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO

Medical technology has the potential to change the face of healthcare, especially in Africa. For example, a doctor will be able to draw a patient’s blood or take their heart rate in Johannesburg, automatically log the information into a system that can be transferred to a specialist in New York where a diagnosis can be made and relayed back – all in real time. The major benefit of this groundbreaking technology will be to reduce the need for follow up appointments as a result of the elimination of often time intensive lab work. - Steve Midgley, Managing Director for Cisco in South Africa

Neotel’s home and office products are known to simplify complex technology and allow users to infuse it into everyday life. We are the first in South Africa to bring Voice, Internet and SMS all-in-one, all on one account and no installation required. Through SEACOM, Neotel brings the home and office user fixed and wireless products at previously unprecedented speeds, with exceptional price and value. - Dr Angus Hay, Executive Head of Technology at Neotel

Unified communications offers the ability to significantly improve how individuals, groups and companies interact and perform. UC also enables multiple communication channels to be co-ordinated. The additional capacity supplied by SEACOM will allow us to accelerate the rollout of these technologies to clients in all industry sectors and allow them to access all the operational efficiencies and benefits offered by the world’s leading technologies, removing the infrastructure limitations we have struggled with before in trying to gain greater and more robust connectivity for our clients. - Mayan Mathen, Chief Technology Officer at Dimension Data Middle East & Africa

Credits

Social Media Release created and issued by Brandsh on behalf of SEACOM.