1 Evolving the National and Global Landscape Of Broadband In Swaziland SAFNOG Conference 2015 Royal Swazi Sun Hotel 7 th – 8 th April 2015

2 Outline 1)Broadband Services 2)Challenges 3)Key Initiatives

3 Definition of Broadband According to the Wikipedia encyclopedia: In telecommunications, broadband is wide bandwidth data transmission with an ability to simultaneously transport multiple signals and traffic types. The medium can be coaxial cable, optical fiber, twisted pair, or wireless broadbandtelecommunications bandwidthdata transmissioncoaxial cable optical fibertwisted pairwireless broadband Source:

4 Broadband Speeds In the United States, the FCC reflecting advances in technology, market offerings by broadband providers and consumer demand, updated its broadband benchmark speeds to 25 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads.FCC Source:

5 Broadband Speeds Most African countries are nowhere near this benchmark but this differs country by country. Swaziland has no official benchmark with respect to broadband speeds but the recently established telecommunications industry regulator SCCOM in their draft regulations advocate for broadband speeds of no less than 2Mbps for both wireline and wireless technologies. Source: The Electronic Communications (Quality of Service) Regulations, 2014 (Draft)

6 What is Broadband The answer to the question is usually dependent on who is answering it: Network Operators Industry Regulators Customers

7 Challenges with meeting the Customers’ Expectations Different components of the connection chain Access Network Core Network State of the infrastructure Terrain of the country-restriction to wireline Remote and scattered communities Capacity and Traffic routing Reliability, redundancy and monitoring

8 Challenges with meeting the Customers’ Expectations Different components of the connection chain National Backbone International Connectivity Alternate routes & availability Exposed infrastructure Cost to access wet capacity & its actual cost Access to West & East coast cables Prioritisation & routing of traffic by operators

9 Initiatives being undertaken by SPTC to Improve Broadband Access Different components of the connection chain Access Network Taking the fibre closer to the Customer – FTTx Extensive Copper Network Rehabilitation Deploy IP DSLAM’s for faster rollout SIP functionality for voice traffic Infrastructure sharing to access remote customers

10 Initiatives being undertaken by SPTC to Improve Broadband Access Different components of the connection chain Core Network Sufficient capacity to handle traffic offered Availability, reliability & redundancy of network elements Optimal and efficient traffic routing NOC moving to SOC – 24 x 7 x 365 Involved in the establishment of IXP for peering of local partners (ISP’s, CP’s, banks etc.)

11 Initiatives being undertaken by SPTC Different components of the connection chain National Backbone Self healing rings to ensure alternate routes & guarantee availability Infrastructure exposed to the elements – bury the fibre and use microwave for redundancy Provision of optic fibre connectivity to the IXP Partnerships with Power utility provider (MoU signed)

12 Initiatives being undertaken by SPTC Different components of the connection chain International Connectivity Multiple exit/entry points for redundancy Reduce costs to wet and dry capacity Collaboration between SATA and SAPP on infrastructure sharing Extend backbone network beyond borders to access other IXP’s and RIXP’s Access to West & East coast cables for redundancy to ensure availability

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“Thank You” “Siyabonga” 14