An insight into FIBRE OPTICS
……..SEACOM ( Mkongo wa mawasiliano) by Mdau(John) UK
I followed up recent events on the inauguration of telecommunication network (SEACOM) closely to ascertain the technology itself that is, what are fibre cables and the merits of the system in contrast to the current (copper wires) and how Tanzania is going to benefit from the network.
Fibre optics are strands of optically glass thin as a diameter of human hair and collectively bundled and called optical cables which transmit light over long distances.
Someone interested could ask, how does it work? Optic is something to do with light, such as your eyes optic nerves. These cables transmit light, one could argue what happens if cables are bent and what is the likely effect of transmission. The light travels in straight line!
The answer is the reflective property capability of light energy. Since the strands are optical glasses then in the strand they zigzag reflect light from one distant point to another hence transmitting light coded information.
The communication is enabled through transmitters -they produce and encode light signals, Optical fibre-which conduct light signal over a distance, Optical regenerator boosts light signal and optical receiver receives and decode the light signal. So information, for example digital pictures, email, sound waves etc undergo these steps.
This technology is used in medical imaging instruments to picture human internal system, your gut for example, in mechanical engineering in identifying technical faults in inaccessible structures, plumbing -to inspect sewer lines as well as telecommunication companies such as SEACOM for cable TV system, internet and telephone.
So what are the advantages of fibre optics and how Tanzania is going to benefit from digital new age.First,and foremost, undoubtedly, telecommunication will be revolutionarily affected for the better and against the conventional metal (copper wire). Optic fibres have these qualities:-
Less expensive than their copper metal counterpart in terms of several miles coverage. Therefore, it is cheaper to a service provider ( seacom ) likewise it will serve you some money.
Thinner in diameter than copper metals and have higher carrying capacity. This is enabled by being able to be bundled together into given diameter cable than copper wires. So more phone lines could go over a same cable, more TV channels to come through a cable into your cable TV box.
There is less signal degradation compared to copper wires and so long as they are light signals in strands, there is no interference with one another in the cable than if it were electrical signals in copper wires. Therefore this means clear telephone conversation and TV reception.
Cable technology costs are less to service providers in terms of the use of lower power transmitter since signals in optical fibres degrade less compared to electrical signals in copper wires that require high voltage transmitters. So, It costs less to run and likely to be cheaper to customers.
Moreover, they are ideally suited to carrying digital information that is used in computer network. And, so long as there is no electricity involved in cables, then the risk of fire hazard is materially minimized.
The cables are light weight and flexible compared to copper wires or any other conducting metals we conventionally use to transfer information.
Furthermore, Tanzania is going to benefit from new distinctive period of telecommunications in terms of unprecedented speed of communication in such, browsing pages will be fast, clarity of digital pictures, There will be no echoes as experienced when signal is bounced off a communication satellite. With fibre optic there is direct connection with no echoes.
Therefore, Commercially, socially, political (e government) legal and economic and other information activities in the country will undoubtedly be positively affected for the better. From the qualities of fibre optic technology, people could specifically figure out how exactly socioeconomic development strategies are going to be enhanced.
Daskim@hotmail.com
Mdau(John) UK
Huyu nani tena jamaniii!
ReplyDeletenimeona comment zake kadhaa kwenye atiko za mashaka na Shayo pia matatizo ya eapoti parti wani.
Sasa weweeeee,unataka nini,maana mimi siwaelewi nyie watu mlio nje ya nchi.
kama mko aware kiasi hiki,basi rudini mchangamkie mambo nyumbani.
haya baadae
John, nashukuru kwa kuitikia wito wa vinana wenzako akina dr shayo and John Mshaka. Tunahitaji vijana kama nyie kutoa mwanga mpya katika jamii. Hali hii inajionyesha vizuri kani ushindi wa huyo mbunge kijana 27yrs wa chama cha conservative aliyemshinda wenzao kwa takribani kura 7000 plus, ni kielelezo tosha kuwa hata hapa tanzania inawezekana.
ReplyDeleteUsauri usiishie kuandika kama akina shayo, na Mashaka. Fikiria ni kwa nmna gani mchango wako utasaidia kutatua matatizo ya hapa Tanzania, kywa kutoa mawazo.
Ninaandaa biography ya wachangiaji wa hii blog, na kwa hilo ninakukaribisha.
Ila kwa vile uko UK mtafute shayo mnaweza kujenga ummoja wa kutoa mawazo
Nafasi zipo hapa tanzania nyingi tuu ambazo utaalamu wenu unahitajika
Tunaweza kupata mdau akatafasiri makala hii?
ReplyDeleteGood and informative article!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that we in Tanzania have come this far in technology. But, much still need to be done and if not done right, we might not see a drop in price.
Few things to note that I think could still keep the cost high;
As no electricity is transmitted through fiber optic cable, you should note that optical signal is not going to be the signal going to your computer or phone. The signal has to be converted back into electrical signal down a copper cable. So cost of converters and electricity will still be there. Your telephone still needs power. We still have a lot of landlines in Tanzania and most of bandwidth is transmitted locally through copper. You need new NICs (Network Interface card) to connect an optical cable, unfortunately many network equipment still use copper. Optical NIC is way expensive compared to coaxial NIC.
Fiber optics needs special test equipment. the equipment used in traditional electron-based networking can not be used in fiber optic network. Expensive equipment such as OTDR(Optical Time Domain Reflectometer)is required. Optical probes are needed at the most fiber endpoints and connection nexuses in order proper test optical fiber.
I hope the companies involved will look into the long term in their projections. More needs to be done in the local infrastructure for compatibility as this is not an upgrade, this is an overhaul!
If short term, then we will not see any drop in charges but at least we get more bandwith.
Now we are guaranteed more bandwith let the ground work begin!
Mungu Ibariki Tanzania.
Mwingira.
This is great,
ReplyDeleteIla nahitaji msaada kidogo kwani niko so pessimistic kuhusu makampuni yanayotoa huduma za mawasiliano Tz,pamoja na uelewa wa waTz on the whole issue,hasa juu ya haki zao baada ya kuja hii optical fibre. kwa kifupi bei kweli zitashuka? na kwa kiasi gani. Isije kuwa ni maneno tu na kubakia palepale.Mawazo yangu.
Ebu andika kwa kimatumbi ili wote tuweze kuelewa!
ReplyDeleteAnd what are the dis-advantages from a local user standpoint?...how will my people at kibondo benefit or how will u make it beneficial to someone who has no idea about fibre
ReplyDeleteSiasa, siasa watanzania hatuwezi kuandika kitu bila kuweka iasa. Sasa ushindi wa Concervative unahusiana vipi na fiber optic yetu Tanzania.
ReplyDeleteGood aeticle. Mhhh kimatumbi inaweza ikawa kazi kidogo maana hizi points zimekuwa collected kutoka kwenye mtandao na kuziweka hapa.kuna scintific names nyingi hazina kiswahili,kwa mtazamo wangu.
ReplyDeleteI reiterate others fear on whether the price of internet is gonna really decrease. We've already been terribly hit by overprice of other services/products like mobile vouchers, fuel etc while the authorities had almost nothing to do to rescue the consumer. Lets hope this optical cable is gonna really come with the outlined advantages.
ReplyDeleteVery informative.The article has lots of substance and the language is easy to comprehend for readers of all levels.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this piece of information & education.
(US Blogger)
good info but lacking some strategic insight pertaining to our country.
ReplyDeleteThis is more of a "book" general analysis of fiber optic meaning the definitions and advantages analyzed are derived straight from the book which is not bad but I was expecting to read something not from the book, such as how the reality will challenge the technology in TZ, or what we should expect during implementation phase, 5-10 years after implementation...
Overall, you have put it together very well for a novice in this technology to get the basics.
Jamani hii kitu ni bado kabisa, na mikoa iloyosambazwa hiyo cable haijazidi hata 15. Pia tuwe macho akina nanihii wasichukue contracts/deals zote! Aah, inawezekana watu wameshamwaga wino tayari. Unakumbuka from TTCl to Celtel to Zantel?
ReplyDeleteGreat, but these kind of project needed to be analysed critically, as it stands, the project is both viable and feasible, but I wonder whether it is practical in time, For instance in Dar es salaam, We can build a fiber from silver Sand station to Magomeni, but is there a need of services in Magomeni to surpase the cost?, so the project has to be in phase and market analysis has to be considered in every phase, Definitely in future it will be profitable. Hence let us not take it political
ReplyDeleteFibre optic cable. How can we exploit this to our sustainability.
ReplyDeleteWhat if somali pirates decide to chop it?
Excellent introduction of the technology for someone interested to get a grip on fibre optics idea.
ReplyDeleteYou have done very well to putting together and make readers interested.
Please,next time,try to offer an insight of the technology on commercial,social,economical,political,legal etc activities and how will Tanzania Look in 10years time.
Very nice Mr .Mdau keep it up.discuss more on economic implications and try to address usage issues,example, appliances will still use electricity hence same costs to customers for laptops,Flat TV etc,convertion of light signals into electric.
I am eager to reading from you again.
Nilifikiri ni John Mashaka..angenikoma.
ReplyDelete