Tuesday, 4 August 2009
The promises continue
The much anticipated SEACOM undersea cable has finally launched and has began operating. So far, the hype surrounding the anticipated changes in the African ICT landscape is being met with mixed reviews. The proponents of SEACOM are calling for patience: "the promised cheaper internet is just around the corner" seems to be the prevailing message. On the other hand, those who had expected miraculous price cuts and immediate increase in speed seem to convey messages of disappointments.
According to the SEACOM CEO,Brian Herlihy, the anticipated changes are most likely to become clearly visible over the coming years and not as immediate as some anticipate. "Turning the switch on creates a huge anticipation but ultimately, SEACOM will be judged on the changes that take place on the continent over the coming years," he said. In the meantime SEACOM chairman, Nizar Juma continues to convey the incredibly optimistic promise "The SEACOM cable will change the lives of every man, woman and child in the countries connected by making previously unavailable technology accessible to everyone" says Mr. Juma.
In the end, only time will tell if the SEACOM promise falls under the many empty promises categories common in the African landscape or whether the SEACOM promise becomes one of rare cases where promises made are actually fulfilled.
According to the SEACOM CEO,Brian Herlihy, the anticipated changes are most likely to become clearly visible over the coming years and not as immediate as some anticipate. "Turning the switch on creates a huge anticipation but ultimately, SEACOM will be judged on the changes that take place on the continent over the coming years," he said. In the meantime SEACOM chairman, Nizar Juma continues to convey the incredibly optimistic promise "The SEACOM cable will change the lives of every man, woman and child in the countries connected by making previously unavailable technology accessible to everyone" says Mr. Juma.
In the end, only time will tell if the SEACOM promise falls under the many empty promises categories common in the African landscape or whether the SEACOM promise becomes one of rare cases where promises made are actually fulfilled.
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