Companies

Zuku internet firm targets higher speeds

NET

Wananchi, which is the parent firm of Zuku fiber as well as pay TV Zuku, has partnered with cloud computing firm Akamai Technologies. PHOTO | FILE

Wananchi Group has signed a deal to host its data locally, promising faster Internet speeds for customers who will now not have to wait for their connections to be routed through Europe.

Wananchi, which is the parent firm of Zuku fiber as well as pay TV Zuku, has partnered with cloud computing firm Akamai Technologies.

The partnership has been made possible by the recent move by Akamai to host its data at the Kenya Internet Exchange Point KIXP, eliminating the need for its partners like Wananchi Group to connect through Europe.

Global Internet giant Google also hosts its cache in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Software updates

Hosting locally enables storing of copies of popular websites being accessed by Kenyans, which accelerates file and video downloads, music playback and software updates for operators and Internet service providers.

“For end-users, this translates into lower latency, faster speeds and more reliable service when accessing popular web services and content from around the world,” said Wananchi Group CEO Richard Alden.

Previously, many content owners hosted their data in Europe or the US because regional links between many African countries were of relatively poor quality.

However, this is changing with increased Pan-African telecommunication infrastructure provided by firms such as SEACOM and MTN Business.