From point to point
The Paratus Express Route revolutionises connectivity between Africa and Europe
Paratus Group has launched the Paratus Express Route, a high-speed fibre network connecting Johannesburg and Europe, addressing the rising need for robust connectivity between Africa and Europe. This route, developed with significant investments and advanced Infinera technology, meets the demand for high-capacity, low-latency connections essential for telecom providers and businesses.Recognising the limits of existing infrastructure, like the West Africa Cable System (WACS), Paratus established a 1,890 km fibre route from their Cable Landing Station in Swakopmund through Botswana to Teraco's data centre in Johannesburg. The connection to the Equiano subsea cable ensures a direct link to Lisbon, London, and broader Europe, providing faster and more reliable connectivity.
In partnership with Infinera, Paratus has equipped the Express Route with cutting-edge technology:
Infinera GX Series: Supports wavelengths up to 800 Gbps, offering a wide range of services on one platform.
Infinera FlexILS: Enhances spectrum utilization, maximizing fibre capacity.
Infinera ICE6 800G Solution: Delivers 20 times more capacity than previous networks, optimizing data flow.
Key benefits of the Paratus Express Route include:
• Increased capacity: With support for up to 800 Gbps, telecom providers can meet the rising demand for data-driven applications.
• Low latency: The 123 ms latency between Johannesburg and Europe enables real-time applications like financial services and gaming, opening global opportunities for African businesses.
• Reliability: Diverse routing provides a resilient alternative to existing networks, ensuring continuous connectivity for critical services.
• Future proofing: Scalable technology allows for capacity upgrades to meet future demands without major infrastructure changes.
• Economic growth: Improved connectivity boosts digital transformation, fostering regional economic development and allowing African businesses to fully participate in the global economy.
Chief Commercial Officer of Paratus, Martin Cox, stated, “The Paratus Express Route represents a quantum leap in connectivity between Africa and Europe, transforming possibilities for telecom providers and enterprises. The route’s ultra-low latency and high capacity allow companies to power real-time applications, cloud services, and data-heavy operations.”
The Paratus Express Route, powered by advanced Infinera solutions, marks a major advance in African telecommunications. This high-speed, scalable network is a critical step in supporting Africa’s digital transformation, fostering innovation, and enabling the continent to thrive in the global digital landscape.