WCA March 2019

Industry news

Strengthening the Internet in Africa

Mr Nunes added: “Angola Cables will also be in a position to support our new partner in other projects that are of national importance and which require global network connectivity. An example of this is the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, the world’s largest telescope, where Broadband Infraco is the main supplier of international capacity to Europe. “Given the large data requirements, the scientific information can now be shared with other entities. “The cooperation between the two companies will also advance business channel synergies. This offers South African consumers an improved usage, low-latency or ‘no-lag experience’, which benefits the gaming community in particular as well as other users requiring greater bandwidth via the SACS routing to South America.” Angola Cables – Angola Website : www.angolacables.co.ao

nations of Russia, India and China through a high-speed, low-latency connection. “Such a connection, together with our robust network, will accelerate international cooperation on multiple levels, promote economic development and fast-track projects that will enable new opportunities for digital content exchange across the region.” Andrew Matseke, CEO of Broadband Infraco, said that the partnership is pivotal in the development of digital connectivity within South Africa and Africa. “We have POPs and fibre connectivity options to all neighbouring SADC countries,” he said. “Through the Angola Cables subsea networks, SACS and Monet, Broadband Infraco will have the ability to share international traffic and content that could unlock new business opportunities for SADC countries.”

MULTINATIONAL telecoms company Angola Cables has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Broadband Infraco. Broadband Infraco provides extensive regional long-distance network coverage and SADC connectivity. It currently has more than 14,960km of fibre networks across South Africa. It also has 156 points of presence (PoPs) providing a high-capacity, stable nat- ional network environment. Angola Cables CEO António Nunes said that the partnership will facilitate Internet connectivity into Africa. “With our international connectivity and reach through our submarine networks and the expansive terrestrial network of Broadband Infraco, there is a genuine opportunity for us to collectively fast-track connectivity on the continent,” he said. “The very real possibility now exists to connect Brazil and South Africa to the other BRICS

Expansion of a Japanese HICON/H 2

bell annealer facility

A Japanese cus- tomer has placed an order with Ebner to expand an existing HICON/H 2 ® bell annealer facility. The facility, which spheroidises and recrystallises coils of steel strip, will be upgraded with two additional gas-fired heating bells. The Ebner HICON/ H 2 ® facility now comprises 20 work- bases, 12 heating bells and ten cooling bells. The new heating bells are being added in response to the challenges of annealing modern steel grades, and

❍ The heating bell at the Japanese company

will be available for production by May. Ebner Industrieofenbau GmbH – Austria Website : www.ebner.cc

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Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2019