“Seychelles may be a remote Indian Ocean archipelago, but it boasts surprisingly advanced internet infrastructure.” (source)

Seychelles, an archipelago renowned for its pristine beaches, is rapidly transforming into a digital hub, driven by a bold leap into high-speed internet. In 2023, the Seychelles Cable Systems Company (SCS) announced the launch of a new 10 Gbps broadband service, positioning the nation among Africa’s fastest internet providers (Seychelles News Agency). This upgrade is powered by the second submarine cable, PEACE (Pakistan East Africa Connecting Europe), which supplements the existing Seychelles East Africa System (SEAS) and ensures redundancy and resilience for the country’s connectivity.

The impact is profound: Seychelles’ average fixed broadband speeds have surged, with Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index reporting median download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps in early 2024—well above the African continental average (Speedtest Global Index). This leap enables seamless streaming, cloud adoption, and digital business operations, supporting the government’s Vision 2033 for a knowledge-based economy (Seychelles Vision 2033).

In summary, Seychelles’ embrace of 10 Gbps broadband and satellite connectivity is reshaping its digital landscape, fostering innovation, and setting a benchmark for island nations worldwide. The competition between fiber and satellite promises further improvements in speed, reliability, and affordability for Seychellois consumers and businesses alike.

The Seychelles, an archipelago renowned for its pristine beaches, is rapidly transforming into a digital paradise, thanks to a bold push toward 10 Gbps internet connectivity. This high-speed revolution is underpinned by a blend of cutting-edge fiber infrastructure and a competitive satellite market, positioning the nation as a leader in African broadband innovation.

In 2023, the Seychelles government, in partnership with the Seychelles Cable Systems Company (SCS), completed the installation of the second submarine cable—the METISS (Meltingpot Indianoceanic Submarine System). This 3,200 km cable links Seychelles to Mauritius, Madagascar, and South Africa, dramatically increasing bandwidth and network resilience. The METISS system, combined with the existing Seychelles East Africa System (SEAS), has enabled local ISPs to offer multi-gigabit packages, with Seychelles’ average fixed broadband speeds now exceeding 100 Mbps and pilot projects demonstrating 10 Gbps capabilities for enterprise and government clients.

However, the real game-changer is the satellite showdown. With the arrival of Starlink in 2023, Seychelles became one of the first African nations to access low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet. Starlink’s service, boasting speeds up to 220 Mbps and low latency, is particularly transformative for the outer islands, where laying fiber is impractical. Meanwhile, regional players like Eutelsat and Intelsat are upgrading their own satellite offerings, intensifying competition and driving down prices.

As a result, Seychelles is not only setting a benchmark for high-speed connectivity in Africa but also serving as a testbed for the coexistence of terrestrial and satellite broadband. The ongoing “satellite showdown” promises to further accelerate digital transformation, making 10 Gbps internet a reality for businesses, residents, and even the most remote island communities.

The Seychelles is undergoing a transformative leap in digital connectivity, with the rollout of 10 Gbps internet services marking a new era for the island nation. This high-speed revolution is reshaping the competitive landscape, as established telecom operators, new entrants, and satellite providers vie for dominance in a market long constrained by geography and limited infrastructure.

The competitive landscape is rapidly evolving as these key players invest in infrastructure, expand coverage, and innovate service offerings. The convergence of fiber and satellite technologies is expected to drive down prices, improve reliability, and bridge the digital divide across Seychelles’ 115 islands. As the 10 Gbps revolution unfolds, consumers and businesses stand to benefit from unprecedented connectivity and choice.

The Seychelles, an archipelago renowned for its pristine beaches and luxury tourism, is undergoing a digital transformation with the rollout of 10 Gbps high-speed internet. This ambitious leap is positioning the nation as a regional leader in connectivity, with significant implications for economic diversification, digital services, and global competitiveness.

In summary, Seychelles’ high-speed internet revolution is set to transform its digital landscape, with robust growth, increased competition, and innovative expansion models shaping the future of connectivity in this island paradise.

The Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is undergoing a digital transformation with the rollout of 10 Gbps high-speed internet. This initiative, spearheaded by the Seychelles Cable Systems Company (SCS) and local telecom operators, aims to bridge the urban-rural divide and address the unique connectivity challenges faced by island communities.

Island-Specific Insights: The Satellite Showdown

In summary, Seychelles’ 10 Gbps internet revolution is transforming urban connectivity and, with the advent of LEO satellites, is poised to finally bridge the digital divide for its far-flung island communities. The next few years will be critical in determining whether fiber or satellite will dominate the nation’s connectivity landscape.

The Seychelles, an archipelago renowned for its pristine beaches, is now making waves in the digital realm with the rollout of 10 Gbps high-speed internet. This leap is transforming the nation’s connectivity landscape, positioning it as a regional leader in broadband infrastructure. The government, in partnership with local telecoms and international technology providers, has prioritized digital transformation as a pillar of economic diversification and resilience.

In 2023, Seychelles’ main telecom operator, Cable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS), launched the country’s first 10 Gbps fiber broadband service, targeting both residential and business customers. This service, among the fastest in Africa, leverages the Seychelles East Africa System (SEAS) submarine cable, which links the islands to mainland Africa and the global internet backbone (CWS Launches 10Gbps Fibre Broadband).

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Seychelles boasts an internet penetration rate of over 80%, the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The introduction of 10 Gbps services is expected to further boost digital adoption, support remote work, and attract tech-driven investment, especially in fintech and digital tourism.

However, the high-speed revolution is not without competition. Satellite internet providers, including Starlink, have entered the Seychelles market, offering high-speed, low-latency connectivity to even the most remote islands. Starlink’s service, launched in 2023, promises speeds of up to 220 Mbps, providing a viable alternative where fiber infrastructure is challenging to deploy (Starlink Coverage Map).

As Seychelles embraces its high-speed future, the interplay between fiber and satellite technologies will shape the nation’s digital destiny, ensuring that paradise is as connected as it is beautiful.

The Seychelles, a picturesque Indian Ocean archipelago, is undergoing a digital transformation as it races toward 10 Gbps internet speeds—a leap that positions the nation as a regional connectivity leader. This high-speed internet revolution is driven by a blend of undersea fiber-optic investments, regulatory reforms, and a competitive “satellite showdown” that is reshaping the local telecom landscape.

As Seychelles surges toward 10 Gbps, its blend of fiber and satellite connectivity is setting a new standard for island nations, overcoming geographic barriers and unlocking strategic digital opportunities.

• Seychelles News Agency
• Speedtest Global Index
• Seychelles Vision 2033
• Digital Economy Agenda 2023-2027
• Starlink
• ITU
• Seychelles’ average fixed broadband speeds
• Intelsat
• Airtel Seychelles
• Intelvision
• Oxford Business Group
• World Bank
• SEAS cable