![\"EASSy\"](\"\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/eassy_583439184.jpg\" "\\"EASSy\\"")
“We already offer the only direct fibre-optic route between east Africa and Europe, and with this new agreement in place we now have the capability to extend our reach to even more points on the globe,” said Wood.<\/p>\nThis strategic agreement will enable WIOCC to further extend its customers’ connectivity in countries where it previously did not have coverage, by making it part of the Global Crossing Tier 1 MPLS network.<\/p>\n
“In addition to expanding WIOCC’s reach, the relationship will increase flexibility and provide significantly reduced transit charges for customer terminations,” WIOCC said in a press statement.<\/p>\n
“It also enhances Global Crossing’s ability to deliver high-performance Tier 1 Internet connectivity into carrier facilities and enterprise locations throughout the east and southern Africa region.”<\/p>\n
WIOCC CEO Chris Wood explained that their strategic relationship with Global Crossing, with its comprehensive global network reach, significantly improves their ability to deliver end-to-end service to WIOCC customers in Africa and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n
“We already offer the only direct fibre-optic route between east Africa and Europe, and with this new agreement in place we now have the capability to extend our reach to even more points on the globe,” said Wood.<\/p>\n
WIOCC’s 30 percent stake makes it the largest shareholder in EASSy, the 10,000km, 4.72Tbps subsea fibre-optic cable that runs along the east coast of Africa and has landing stations from South Africa to Port Sudan. <\/p>\n
“Our shareholders own terrestrial networks that interconnect 20 African countries over more than 50,000km of optical fibre, serving more than 400 African locations,” said WIOCC’s COO Ryan Sher.<\/p>\n
Global Crossing Head of Carrier Sales for South Europe, Middle East and Africa, Habib Issa, commented: “EASSy represents the majority of the international capacity available on Africa’s east coast. WIOCC has unparalleled reach throughout eastern and southern Africa, and will play an important role in improving Internet connectivity throughout this region.”<\/p>\n