Equinix's extensive global network, JN1 is set to enhance the region's growing digital infrastructure and interconnection capabilities. (Image source: Equinix)

Equinix, Inc., a global leader in digital infrastructure, has launched its first International Business Exchange data centre in South Africa, located in Germiston, Johannesburg. Known as JN1, the facility is now open to customers and partners, offering businesses of all sizes access to cloud and connectivity services

Positioned as part of Equinix's extensive global network, JN1 is set to enhance the region's growing digital infrastructure and interconnection capabilities.

As Southern Africa's economic hub, Johannesburg is a prime location for Equinix's new venture. The city serves as a key interconnection point, benefiting from a network of submarine cables along South Africa’s coast and boasting a strong presence in financial, industrial, and professional services. These advantages make Johannesburg an ideal hub for local and international firms, drawing significant investment and positioning it as a gateway to the broader African market.

Johannesburg’s digital revolution

JN1's initial phase offers more than 20,000 square feet (1,900+ sq m) of colocation space, with expansion plans to exceed 100,000 square feet (9,515 sq m). The facility is equipped with high power capacity for dense deployments and supports liquid cooling solutions. It currently houses 700 cabinets, with a future target of 3,475 cabinets once fully developed.

Sandile Dube, Equinix's managing director for South Africa, emphasised the impact of the new facility, stating, “Our brand new JN1 data center in Johannesburg serves as a powerful platform for people and businesses to connect, innovate, and flourish not only in South Africa but also beyond. The new site presents a truly unique opportunity for South Africans as it places us firmly on the map and will be a key interconnection hub on the continent to some of the fastest growing countries and businesses in the world. It is a proud day for me to be leading this expansion into South Africa and I believe that this is a crucial milestone for the country in its digital and connectivity journey for thousands of residents.”

Early deployments at JN1 include prominent South African firms such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Intelys Technology Group, SEACOM, WorkOnline Communications, and the INX-ZA Johannesburg Internet Exchange (JINX).

Nigerian government signs MoU with Ericsson for 5G tech development, aiming to drive digital growth and innovation in Nigeria. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Nigerian Government has entered into a partnership with Ericsson to explore the potential of 5G connectivity within the country.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during an October 18 visit by a Nigerian government delegation to Ericsson’s global headquarters in Sweden, led by vice-president Kashim Shettima.

This MoU aims to establish a cooperative framework between the Nigerian Government and Ericsson Nigeria, focusing on the development, deployment, and innovation of 5G technology. As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria represents over 15%of the continent’s population.

Nigerian Innovation

The partnership’s key objectives include supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation goals, driving economic growth, and enhancing public services using advanced, secure 5G technology. Additionally, the collaboration aims to foster knowledge exchange, build capacity within the tech sector, support the creation of innovation hubs and tech incubators, and improve digital literacy and skills development across Nigeria.

"It was an honor to show the Vice President, and his delegation colleagues, Ericsson’s leadership in 5G and technology capabilities at first-hand. We look forward to working in close partnership with the Nigerian government to develop the innovation potential of 5G for Nigerian businesses, citizens and for national digital competitiveness," said Patrick Johansson, president, Market Area Middle East and Africa.

Ericsson has had a presence in Nigeria since 1978, supporting network deployments, including the launch of the nation’s first GSM network in 2001.

Tantum IT boosts operations and client satisfaction with Paratus South Africa’s Eutelsat OneWeb LEO satellite solution. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Tantum IT, a prominent IT service provider, focuses on remote IT management, cloud services, and secure data handling, particularly for clients in remote and high-demand settings

To ensure the reliability of these services, stable and robust internet connectivity is essential. To address connectivity challenges, Tantum IT partnered with Paratus South Africa, an official distributor of Eutelsat OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services in the country. This technology proved ideal for Tantum IT, offering high-speed and stable connections that outperformed long-range Wi-Fi and conventional satellite links.

Before implementing Paratus South Africa’s Eutelsat OneWeb solution, Tantum IT faced significant operational disruptions, especially when clients experienced issues with Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions, IPsec tunnels for shared drive access, and other business tools. Tasks like uploading high-resolution images and using shared drives were slow and inefficient.

Boosting connectivity effortlessly

Paratus South Africa’s LEO service transformed Tantum IT’s operations, improving both efficiency and client satisfaction.

Integrating the Eutelsat OneWeb service with Tantum IT’s existing infrastructure was seamless. Paratus South Africa provided a DHCP range outside of the existing network, making the connection to Tantum IT’s Fortigate Firewall straightforward. Tantum IT’s team managed the configuration internally, while Paratus South Africa’s proactive support ensured a smooth deployment, quickly addressing any challenges.

The deployment of Paratus’s LEO solution led to notable enhancements in connectivity, speed, and reliability. At Doornkop, users accessed shared drives effortlessly, completed tasks swiftly, and maintained stable VPN connections. Tests demonstrated additional advantages, including smooth email server operations, effective use of the Oracle Finance system, and reliable video conferencing. Users experienced uninterrupted sessions, and tasks like photo uploads and content streaming became faster.

Kallie Carlsen, managing director of Paratus South Africa, commented, “For businesses and industries operating in remote areas, traditional connectivity solutions often fall short in providing the reliability and speed needed for daily operations. LEO satellite technology is uniquely positioned to overcome these challenges by delivering high-speed, low-latency internet access. At Paratus South Africa, we specialise in providing tailored satellite solutions that ensure our clients, like Tantum IT, can operate efficiently and without disruption, no matter where they are located. Our partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb allows us to offer a robust connectivity solution that meets the demands of even the most challenging environments.”

Tantum IT’s collaboration with Paratus South Africa has been a success. Installations were completed professionally and on time, with swift resolution of any issues. The high level of support and service from Paratus South Africa reaffirmed Tantum IT’s decision to maintain the partnership.

Bossie Matthyser, resort manager at Doornkop, shared,“Since the installation of the LEO solution at Doornkop, latency has dropped from 1000ms to 100ms, and both upload and download speeds have improved dramatically. Saving 16 high-resolution photos to our shared folder now takes just 45 seconds instead of seven minutes per photo. Communication on Signal and WhatsApp has also improved significantly. I can’t fault the service and the solution that Paratus South Africa has given us – it’s shifted our business into another and higher gear.”

Looking ahead, Tantum IT plans to leverage Paratus's support to fuel its growth and expand its service offerings. As new opportunities and challenges emerge, especially in remote regions, Tantum IT intends to continue working with Paratus to explore LEO and other connectivity solutions. This ongoing partnership is vital for maintaining Tantum IT’s reputation for delivering dependable, high-quality IT services.

Nokia research highlights rapid 5G adoption in MEA, with CSPs driving digital transformation and significant growth in 5G subscriptions by 2029. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nokia's research indicates that 60% of Communications Service Providers (CSPs) in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are turning to 5G to boost their digital transformation efforts

While 4G subscriptions are expected to level off by 2027, the uptake of 5G is poised for a substantial increase, marking a significant technological shift in the region.

According to Nokia's 2024 Mobile Broadband Index Report, the region's adoption of 5G is accelerating rapidly, with projections showing 5G subscriptions reaching 519 million by 2029. By then, 5G is expected to account for 48% of the region’s total data traffic.

How will 5G transform? 

5G is set to play a vital role in shaping the future of connectivity across the MEA region. By 2029, approximately 23% of all mobile subscriptions in the region will be 5G. This growth is particularly pronounced in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area, where 5G is expected to comprise 90% of mobile subscriptions by 2029, driven by strong government investment in 5G infrastructure and support for advanced connectivity technologies.

The proliferation of 5G is not only increasing subscription numbers but also reshaping the data traffic landscape in the MEA region. By 2029, 5G and 4G networks are projected to account for more than 90% of the total data traffic, with the GCC region expected to see 90% of its data traffic handled through 5G networks alone.

Additionally, the adoption of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) using 5G is on the rise, projected to grow from 11% in 2022 to 38% by 2029. This growth is largely attributed to the demand for higher internet speeds and reduced latency, especially in remote or underserved areas.