Internet and Bandwidth Connectivity

Before delving further into the discussion, it is necessary to mention the concept of the digital divide. Additionally, this section will address how the SAT-3/WASC submarine cable has increased Mauritania’s yield of network access. According to Marine, S., & Blanchard, J.-M. (2004), the digital divide expresses the space used to access informational resources between developing and developed countries regarding differences in technological infrastructure. The divide further emphasizes the differentiation in geographic locations, living standards, and levels of education. However, despite an increase the accessibility to ICT since the 1990’s, the divide has deepened and the differences in the usage of communication resources between countries and regions have increased. Moreover, the divide also exists within countries, particularly in regards to “rich” and “poor” rural regions. It could be said that this essay is an attempt to bridge the digital divide by delivering both technological innovation and microfinance to the region, as well be shown in the upcoming segments. The SAT-3/WASC submarine cable (South Atlantic 3/West African Marine Fibre Cable) is an optical fiber linking the west coast of Europe (Portugal and Spain) to western and southern Africa. The cable is designed for the strategic integration of high-speed network connectivity to Africa and parts of Southeast Asia (SAT-3/WASC/SAFE). In West Africa, Senegal has been a large recipient of the cable’s services, with a terrestrial docking station located in Dakar. Therefore, Senegal delivers connectivity to its neighboring countries. Mauritania accesses the international bandwidth through the Dakar SAT-3/WASC landing station which has led to internal bandwidth development. Furthermore, Sonatel (a leading provider of network bandwidth) has created a terrestrial network of cables from Senegal to Mauritania to allow direct connection (Akoh, B., 2008). The fiber-optic cable has led Mauritania to begin developing its connectivity framework. With improved network connectivity, bandwidth could expand throughout the entire country. The following section integrates the previous segments into a whole by introducing the “Desert PC.”