Exploded View Mapping

The map uses exploded view diagrammatic mapping, seperating out the network infrastructure where different operators are building routes, by type of infrastructure (fibre or microwave), and by the status of that infrastructure (operational, under construction, planned or proposed). This example in Nigeria shows detail of the operational fibre and microwave routes between Kaduna and Kano, fibre optic routes currently under construction between Kano, Funtua and Dutse, and the fibre optic routes which are planned from Zaria to Funtua, and from Kano to Dutse.

Extent of Transmission Networks

One key driver is the to imperative build national transmission backbones, connecting towns and cities. The map shows the current and planned extent of terrestrial transmission networks with their operational status as at July 2009, and can be compared to population density to see how well the transmission networks reach towns and cities beyond the capital city. This example shows detail of the national fibre optic backbones being deployed in Kenya and Uganda, and the major towns and cities through which they will run.

Cross-Border Routes

A second key driver is the imperative to connect countries together, for the carriage of intra-regional voice, data and Internet traffic, and to connect to submarine cables (see below). The map shows cross-border fibre and microwave routes with their operational status as at July 2009. The chart for international bandwidth shows how the amount of bandwidth through cross-border fibre has increased over the last five years. This example shows the operational cross-border fibre route between Benin and Niger, running via Guene and Dosso, and a planned fibre route which would connect Nigeria, Niger and Benin.

Landing Points for Submarine Cables

At least seven new submarine cables will land in Africa before July 2010, with a further five planned after that. The map shows the routing of these submarine cable systems, their landing points, and their operational status in July 2009 (in service, under construction, planned or proposed)

This example shows the planned landing point at Bata (Equatorial Guinea), detailing the domestic GETESA cable under construction running from Malabo to Bata, and the other planned submarine cables which would land at Bata (ACE, Infinity, Uhurunet, WAFS).

Backhaul Routes to Submarine Cables

A thid key driver is the race to build fibre optic routes to connect cities, towns and countries to the new submarine cables. In many cases, more than one operator are building new routes, which will provide competition on the backhaul routes to these cables. This example shows the fibre optic route currently under construction in Congo DRC from Kinshasa to Moanda, where it will meet the submarine cables which would land there (WACS, ACE, Infinity, Uhurunet, WAFS).