www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I June 2024 19
Business
GAME CHANGER
Edited by Eamonn Ryan from a panel discussion
Speaking at a Business Day Dialogues Breakfast Series , themed ‘ Connect Africa : Game Changer at Your Doorstep with Open Access Data Centres ’, Ayotunde Coker , CEO : Open Access Data Centres , said : “ South Africa , a leader in internet usage , has witnessed a phenomenal transformation over the last decade .
With broadband penetration doubling from 45 % to an impressive 73 %, the country stands as a notable player in the global digital arena . Notably , the government ' s commitment to achieving universal internet access by 2024 adds a promising dimension to South Africa ' s digital journey .
“ Reflecting on the digital evolution , I take you back to 1989 , a time when mainframes dominated data processing . The advent of powerful systems , like Sun Microsystems ' 200 MIPS marked a paradigm shift . Witnessing the democratisation of computing power , from large mainframes to compact and efficient systems , has been a fascinating journey . The progress , spanning three decades , highlights the importance of continual technological advancements ,” said Coker .
As we move towards the edge , Africa emerges as the new frontier , offering unique opportunities for innovative computing solutions . Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) has become an integral part of our lives , enhancing various aspects , from navigation ( think Google Maps ) to healthcare and legal services .
Despite South Africa ' s impressive strides in internet usage , there remains a digital prosperity gap . With just over 1 % of global data centre capacity , the continent faces a critical challenge . Closing this gap involves addressing connectivity issues , increasing data centre capacity , and fostering technological innovation . Africa ' s unique demographics present an opportunity to turn the demographic dividend into a catalyst for rapid digital growth .
“ South Africa , particularly centred around Joburg and Samrand , has been a digital powerhouse , boasting 50 % of installed data centre capacity . However , the dynamics are changing as the rest of Africa experiences substantial growth in data centre installations . The emergence of competitors like Vantage and NTT Data Centres is not a threat but rather a catalyst for progress . The growth of data centres across Africa signifies a positive shift and an opportunity to transform what might have been a demographic time bomb into a demographic dividend ,” said Coker .
Open Access Data Centres , a subsidiary of West Indian Ocean Cable Company ( WIOCC ), was born in 2018 , with a mission to
Supplied by Trafo provide wholesale connectivity and carrier-neutral data centres . With an edge strategy comprising core data centres and over 30 edge data centres in South Africa , this unique approach facilitates the delivery of transformative interconnectivity closer to the point of use .
The 30 edge data centres strategically located in South Africa facilitate the delivery of services closer to the end-users . The expansion of wireless connectivity and the establishment of national long-distance networks in various African countries , including Nigeria and the DRC , further strengthen Open Access Data Centres ' position as a key player in the region .
Acknowledging the challenge of load shedding in South Africa , Open Access Data Centres prioritises 100 % uptime . RACA
“ Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) has become an integral part of our lives ”
The growth of data centres has created special opportunities for the application of dry-type transformers .
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I June 2024 19