Bondi, HINDA, KOUILOU - Friday, July 12, 2024. A major technological breakthrough was celebrated during the official ceremony marking the completion of modernization work on the southern backbone, organized by Silicone Connect in collaboration with Nokia. This ceremony marked the culmination of critical work utilizing DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology, an innovation that promises to transform connectivity in Central Africa.
The ceremony, held in Bondi in the locality of Hinda, a few kilometers from Pointe-Noire, brought together a host of dignitaries and influential figures. Among the distinguished guests were Ministers Léon Juste Ibombo (Posts and Telecommunications) and Émile Ouosso (Energy), as well as the Chairman of Silicone Connect's Board of Directors, Omar Denis Bongo Ondimba. Also in attendance were André Guy Edmond Loemba, Deputy Prefect of Hinda, Madame Évelyne Tchitchelle, Mayor of Pointe-Noire, and many other prestigious guests.
Silicone Connect, a key player in internet infrastructure and access for businesses in Congo, was praised by Minister Léon Juste Ibombo for its pivotal role in this modernization project. The minister recalled that the government entrusted the national fiber-optic network to Silicone Connect in 2020, at a time when the network was in a state of advanced obsolescence. Four years later, the results are impressive and worthy of celebration.
“We have every reason to celebrate, as Silicone Connect has upgraded the transmission technology from SDH to DWDM, with a capacity of 200 GB between Pointe-Noire and 100 GB between all intermediate localities in our departments. The modernization of this critical infrastructure paves the way for a multitude of opportunities for businesses and startups, allowing them to grow, innovate, and remain competitive in the global market,” stated Léon Juste Ibombo.
The minister also highlighted the importance of this digital infrastructure, emphasizing that faster, more reliable, and inclusive connectivity is now a fundamental need for every citizen and business seeking to align Congo with the development of the digital economy.
Léon Juste Ibombo extended his congratulations and encouragements to the Chairman of Yao Corp and the entire Silicone Connect team, urging them to continue their efforts to build a knowledge-based society in Congo, in partnership with the government.
In his opening speech, Gaëtan Soltesz, CEO of Silicone Connect, traced the origins of this ambitious project. “It all began with an initiative that arose in 2018 from the forward-looking vision of our government,” he recalled. “This vision aimed to enhance a previously underutilized national fiber-optic infrastructure. It materialized in 2020 when YAO Corp, our parent company, was entrusted with the responsibility of bringing this ambitious project to life.”
Gaëtan Soltesz then emphasized the importance of this modernization: “Today marks a significant milestone. We are inaugurating the first phase of our modernization project: a southern backbone capable of carrying 200 Gigabits per second between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.” This development not only strengthens the national infrastructure but also positions Congo as a technological hub in Central Africa.
The CEO also discussed Silicone Connect’s regional ambitions. “Our vision extends beyond the borders of Congo. With determination, we expanded our network towards the DRC, laying the first sub-river cables in 2022. We also acquired a second concession to connect Cameroon and the Central African Republic under the DATACAB brand, thus contributing to sub-regional integration.”
Silicone Connect’s future does not end there. Gaëtan Soltesz announced the imminent launch of a project aimed at connecting the northern part of the country, from Brazzaville to Ouesso, by early 2025. This initiative is part of a broader vision for technological development and regional integration, aiming to provide high-quality and reliable connectivity across Congo and beyond.
The collaboration with Nokia on this modernization project represents a merging of expertise and cutting-edge technologies, ensuring a robust and scalable infrastructure. The DWDM technology used allows for a significant increase in the transmission capacity of fiber optics, offering exceptional bandwidth to meet the growing demands for communication and data.
The completion ceremony for the modernization of the southern backbone symbolizes a key milestone in Congo’s technological development. By strengthening its digital infrastructure, Silicone Connect not only improves local connectivity but also opens the door to new economic and social opportunities, positioning Congo at the forefront of the digital revolution in Central Africa.