South Africa has once again proven its place as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation. In a landmark trial, Dark Fibre Africa (DFA), working alongside technology partner Ciena, achieved a world record by transmitting 1.6 terabits per second (Tbps) across a single wavelength of fibre. The trial took place between Isando and Midrand over a 40-kilometre route, but its implications extend far beyond the testbed.
To understand the magnitude, 1.6 Tbps is an extraordinary amount of bandwidth. It is the kind of capacity required to power entire cities with high-speed internet, enable millions of simultaneous ultra-HD video streams, and support emerging demands like artificial intelligence workloads and advanced cloud computing. For South Africa, this milestone demonstrates that the country is not only keeping pace with international standards but also helping set them.
This breakthrough comes at a crucial time. Businesses and consumers alike are consuming more data than ever before. Remote work, e-commerce growth, online learning, and digital services have accelerated rapidly. Traditional infrastructure struggles to keep up with this demand. With DFA and Ciena’s achievement, the country now has proof that local infrastructure can scale to meet future needs while reducing latency, improving reliability, and supporting the economic opportunities tied to a thriving digital ecosystem.
South Africa’s digital economy is predicted to grow significantly in the next decade, and robust, high-capacity fibre networks are the bedrock for that growth. This trial shows that the foundation for an advanced digital economy is already being laid — one capable of supporting global competitiveness while meeting local needs.