Emerging NREN SIG

Fall 2010 Internet2 Member Meeting

Dale Smith, University of Oregon/NSRC dsmith@uoregon.edu or dsmith@nsrc.org

Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa

•  Sub Saharan Africa not well connected •  Slightly over 1 year ago, we had

– 1 low capacity cable serving South and West Africa

– No terrestrial fiber in East Africa – Satellite connections dominate – Bandwidth costs $3000 - $12,000/megabit

•  Connectivity is improving rapidly

Speakers

•  Benjamin Eshun, Central University College –  Update on activities in Ghana •  Pascal Hoba, Association of African Universities –  Update on regional activities in West Africa