Seacom's 15,000km international underwater fibre optic cable is expected to go live in June next year, providing high capacity bandwidth that links Southern and East Africa, South Asia and Europe, the European Journalism Centre reported.

Seacom President Brain Herlihy said the company will be able to fulfill Africa's “urgent requirements for cheap and available bandwidth,” according to the EJC.

“The Undersea Fibre connection will provide African carriers with open access to cheap bandwidth, removing infrastructure bottleneck and support east and southern African economic growth,” the EJC reported.

The first cable will be offering broadband to east African countries that use pricey satellite connections.

The Seacom cables will begin functioning before the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Seacom has started to work with broadcasters in order to fulfill broadband requirements.