What the future of connectivity looks like for your business

_{Original article by Patrick Ndegwa, SEACOM East Africa Business Sales Lead. 10 June 2021.}

Modern connectivity solutions have significantly altered the way in which companies do business and interact with consumers. This shift has been incredibly helpful during the global pandemic; instead of simply closing up shop, businesses are now able to use automation, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud and advanced analytics to continue operating.

As our data needs grow, so does the demand for better corporate networks and connectivity. It is vital for African businesses to have a clear idea of what the future holds for connectivity and how to prepare themselves and stay ahead of the curve. This will allow them to remain competitive as the world around them continues to change.

New ways to connect

We have come a long way from the days of dial-up internet, floppy disks and magnetic drives. When SEACOM introduced 17 000km of undersea fibre optic cable along the eastern and southern coasts of Africa in 2009, it significantly reduced the cost of a connection and made internet connectivity far more accessible.

Now, people require greater speed and far less latency. To satisfy growing demands for more data and bandwidth, network design must be adaptable. The fifth generation of wireless technology (5G), which will offer up to 1000 times greater data transfer capacity, 10 times lower latency and network slicing capabilities, is almost here. When the network becomes congested, this will aid in prioritising certain users, services and devices.

However, with its ultrafast speeds, greater bandwidth, higher flexibility and better reliability, fibre has set itself up to be the ultimate in connectivity going forwards. It is absolutely essential for businesses to invest in a solid fibre connection and its related solutions in order to continue to expand and evolve.

The importance of the cloud

As a result of the pandemic, companies have been required to shift to the cloud and transfer their operations online in order to continue to do business. It is now vital for businesses to cater to customers online and enable employees to work remotely. This is only made possible by migrating to the cloud and through the use of cloud-based applications and servers.

Better productivity and continuity are achieved through hybrid work models (working from home and on-premise). This model is preferred by employees and may also save money for businesses. Overall, the cloud provides more flexibility, security and efficiency. This is why cloud adoption is critical for both company innovation and resiliency.

SD-WAN - the future of networking

Cloud usage, internet-enabled devices and networks are being challenged like never before because of growing digitalisation. A software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) is a sophisticated solution able to satisfy these demands as it allows businesses to control their entire network from a centralised location. The software intelligently routes traffic across the network to enhance the connections' speed, efficiency, reliability and security. SD-WAN also optimises bandwidth usage and costs.

Traditional wide-area networks (WANs), virtual private networks (VPNs), and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) all offer less control, visibility and flexibility than SD-WAN. In order to satisfy increasing customer demands, it is critical for African businesses to adopt this kind of future-ready network.

Preparation for the future is key

Businesses that are able to effectively utilise the new age of digital technology will remain highly competitive and at the forefront of their respective fields. For a company to continue to grow and thrive, a clear connectivity plan is essential. This will assist in identifying future opportunities for the company and ensure its sustainability in an ever-evolving climate.

The best approach is to partner with a reliable connectivity provider that offers cloud solutions, high-quality connections, scalable services and cutting-edge technology. For more information or to get a quote for our networking and connectivity solutions, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s largest network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including fibre optic networks and subsea cables. We offer a wide range of industry-leading scalable ICT solutions for large companies that operate throughout the region.

SEACOM is privately owned - making it adaptable to the needs of the client. We are the preferred ICT and internet connectivity supplier for African enterprises. We can guarantee fast, reliable and secure internet and networking services at affordable prices.

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