A few local companies started testing SEACOM recently with the aim of integrating bandwidth from the newly built cable system into their networks. Neotel, Internet Solutions and TENET have all indicated that they are actively testing the new cable system while a few smaller service providers are also getting ready to take advantage of cheaper international bandwidth on SEACOM.<\/p>\n
Industry sources from two separate companies which are currently testing SEACOM have however stated that the instability of the system is proving problematic and a hindrance to fully integrating SEACOM into their networks. According to the sources frequent downtime on the system is not uncommon.<\/p>\n
SEACOM CEO Brian Herlihy explains that SEACOM itself is not to blame. “I can confirm that SEACOM has not had a single blip since going live. There has been instability in the backhaul in South Africa and Kenya and it has been an issue that we have been dealing with as it directly affects our customers,” said Herlihy.<\/p>\n
Neotel is SEACOM’s local partner and carries bandwidth from the SEACOM landing stating in Mtunzini on the South Coast to its data centre in Midrand. Neotel CTO Angus Hay confirmed that there were a few teething issues initially.<\/p>\n
“We did have some teething problems – configuration of backhaul redundancy – at the end of July, but the service has been stable and available since then,” said Hay. “As previously indicated, we provide multiple, separate physical routes to ensure maximum availability on the SEACOM backhaul.”<\/p>\n
It looks like the local backhaul issues related to SEACOM are however being ironed out. According to Herlihy the backhaul links are stabilizing “as the redundant routes are now coming on”. <\/p>\n
“We only had some minor issues on the Johannesburg backhaul in the first two weeks from launch however there has been zero downtime to Johannesburg since those initial issues were resolved. These teething problems do occur, were rapidly contained within two weeks, and the stability on the system has been strong since then,” said Herlihy.<\/p>\n
The SEACOM CEO pointed out that there are still some other areas of concern with the metro areas and last mile connectivity, and concerned parties are invited to provide details to SEACOM to assist them in resolving any remaining problems.<\/p>\n
Neotel reiterated SEACOM’s concerns: “We would not have any control over last mile if it’s provided by any other operator, as is the case for some customers, given that there is open access at Midrand. We also wouldn’t have any visibility of higher layer IP issues, for example, on pure leased line services, such as SEACOM sells directly, though we obviously monitor for any transmission errors.”<\/p>\n