Deputy Minister for Communication, Science and Technology Dr. Maua Daftari speaks before the official launch of SimbaNET's link to SEACOM's sub-marine fibre optic system. Left is Mr. Ali Mufuruki, SimbaNET's Director. This took place today at SimbaNET's offices in Dar
Dr. Maua Daftari cuts the ribbon to officially launch the service
Dr. Maua Daftari slots in the connection cable to link SEACOM system to SimbaNET's network
Dr. Maua Daftari tests the high speed bandwith
Dr. Maua Daftari is briefed on how the system works. Photos courtesy of JamiiForumSimbaNET (Tanzania) Ltd has activated its international link through the SEACOM sub-marine fiber-optic system that connects Tanzania to the global Internet on the.
The launch of the link was officiated today by the Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology Dr. Maua Daftari, and observed by, among others, Prof. Nkoma the Director General of the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Ms. Anna Kahama-Rupia, the MD of SEACOM Tanzania, Mr. Ali Mufuruki, director of SimbaNet Tanzania and Mr. Hitesh Tanna, the MD of CTV, at the SimbaNET Network Operation Centre (NOC) on Nyerere Road in Dar es Salaam.
In her remarks, Dr. Maua Daftari said “SimbaNET has shown great determination and commitment to advancing the ICT sector in Tanzania. We encourage them to quickly utilize this bandwidth in such a manner that it benefits the end users and the country in general. We do hope that SimbaNET will bring the benefits of this submarine fiber-optic cable to business, homes and villages.”
SimbaNET becomes one of the very first private company to connect to SEACOM, which was launched on the 23rd of July in Tanzania by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency, Jakaya Kikwete. After a series of tests and fiber link activations, SimbaNET has been able to exchange traffic between Dar es Salaam and various destinations in the world via sub-marine fiber optic cables, including London where SimbaNET maintains a transit point.
SimbaNET in cooperation of CTV as well as TTCL picks up the capacity via terrestrial fiber and wireless backup from SEACOM.
One of the many benefits for SimbaNet’s’ customers is the lower ‘latency’ of traffic. Latency refers to the time it takes for internet traffic to complete a round trip to and from a selected destination. Latency over satellite averages 600ms while over fiber it is less than 250ms. In addition, due to the lower cost of international bandwidth, all SimbaNET customers will benefit in having their capacity greatly increased.
Mr. Suhail Sheriff; General Manager said that SimbaNET will maintain itself at the fore-front of being the leading backbone provider for corporate connectivity. “With arrival of the sub-marine fiber optic cable comes great potential as well as great challenges for all providers. With an ambitious vision, superior service and a competitive edge, SimbaNET will retain and expand its market share in the region” he noted.
“SimbaNET has shown great leadership and commitment to its customers. They being the first private company to connect to SEACOM and immediately passing the benefits of lower costs to their customers re-assures us of their commitment to us, the customers.” This was reported by Mr. Hussein Chakera of Moevenpick Royal Palm Hotel.
While Ashraf Mohammed, the regional IT Manager for Kempinski noted, “We access not only the Internet, but also access corporate networks across the world. Being connected to the fiber system is of great importance and SimbaNET have shown that they always doing their very best for us and are ahead of the game”.
Brian Herlihy, the CEO of SEACOM says “It has been a pleasure to assist SimbaNET in the important endeavor and to enable them to connect directly to the world via our submarine cable system”
SimbaNET customers comprise a number of large corporate institutions, government ministries and agencies, Internet Service Providers (ISP) and non-governmental organizations. SimbaNET is also one of a very few companies that operates a satellite hub that serves customers all over Tanzania. This satellite hub is managed and controlled by a Network Operation Centre (NOC) that operates 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In Dar es Salaam, SimbaNET operates on licensed WiMax frequencies to distribute services to its customers. For larger customers, it also utilizes terrestrial fiber cable.
SimbaNET continues to invest in its infrastructure and will now focus on greater distribution channels so as to reach as wide as audience as possible. This includes efforts to take Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to the rural areas. To this end, General Manager, Suhail Sheriff noted “We will cooperate and encourage fully all efforts to take all this fiber capacity to the rest of the country. We are encouraged that Government is making this their top priority and will allow anyone wishing to invest to do so.”
“All existing clients of SimbaNET on Terrestrial Link will be migrated to the Submarine backbone and will experience a better performance in terms of speed and increased capacity. New clients who wish to be connected and enjoy lower prices; higher capacity and higher speed should contact our Sales Department at Tancot House on Sokoine Drive in Dar Es Salaam or can send their requirements to sales@simbanet.net” commented Mr. Sanctus Mtsimbe, Head of Sales and Marketing.
Wananchi Group, the parent company of SimbaNET also holds a sizable stake in the TEAMS fiber system expected to go live soon. SimbaNET will undoubtedly connect to that fiber system as soon as it is ready for service.
Dear Suhail
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!
I see you reliasing your vision on ICT in Tanzania. with small project started in Zanzibar by the name Zanzibar Information Techniology Centre (ZITEC) you have moved to a big company now. wish you all the best and I am sure Zanzibar is still in your heart. kindly play your corporate social responsibility's role so that people in rural areas have access to ICT.
Khamis
Nice Work, Dr. Maua Daftari and your Ministry
ReplyDeleteTuliambiwa baada ya kuwekwa mkonga huu gharama za simu na mawasiliano mengine zingepunguwa kwa kiasi kikubwa sana. Mbona hatuoni nafuu yoyote?
ReplyDeletemwakani ndio mtapata unafuu maana serikali imelipia ya mwaka mzima kenye satellite kupitia ubongo ,mitandao yote ya simu za mikononi inapitia hapo
ReplyDeleteNipeni stori speed ya mtandao imeongezeka, maana nakumbuka nilipokua hapo kufungua ukurasa mmoja wa mtandao ilinichukua karibu dakika kumi!
ReplyDeletemkongo.....au mkonga????
ReplyDeletenilimishwe kiswahili chake
Bwana malata Asante kwa ujumbe, nimeupenda sana Lakini wabongo tunapenda kutoa maoni yetu sisi wenyewe kama hapa, habari kama huyo ni ku i channel kwa wahusika. hata hivyo kabla ya kuchangia hiyo kwa wanazuoni,
ReplyDeleteNaomba msaada kwenye tuta, Huwa si elewi elewi kitu hiki;
Hivi upigaji wa kura za Ngazi za juu hapa nchini huwa ni za SIRI? manake miye nikijiuliza na kuwaza kwa undani naona siyo siri, manake kile kipande kinachokatwa na kubaki (Kibutu) huwa kina Namba sawa na zile zinazokuwa kwenye karatasi ya kupiga kura inatumbukizwa kwenye kisanduku, na hapo hapo zile namba za karatasi iliyotumbukizwa kwenye sanduku huwa zinanakiliwa na wasimamizi wa kituo cha kupiga kura.
Sasa je? Upigaji wa kura huwa ni siri? Wadau wengi tena wa ngazi za juu wamekuwa wakisisitiza kuwa kura ni siri? Je? kweli upigaji wa kura ni siri? Si inamaana wakitaka kutafuta nani kapiga kura fulani wanaweza kumtambua tena kwa jina? na mahali kituo alichopigia kura?
Sasa wanazuoni, naomba msaada, Upigaji wa kura tena ngazi za juu huwa ni Siri?
Nawaslisha.
TCRA should come in between. Price ceiling for the ISPs. We have been told that the price will go down, but the ministry has done nothing until now. Please, lets have a new minister who believes that internet is important and atleast we have one city(dar es salaam) in which internet will be free!
ReplyDelete