Exploring How Peering Enhances Internet Connectivity in the Indian Ocean

When thinking of islands in the Indian Ocean, many visualize luxurious vacations on sun-kissed shores, far from work distractions. However, Internet connectivity is crucial not only for tourists but also for the residents of these islands. Whether it’s for work, education, or leisure, being online is as important for them as it is for anyone else worldwide.

International Connectivity in the Indian Ocean

Despite their seemingly remote location, the islands of La Réunion, Madagascar, and Mauritius boast impressive Internet connectivity. A look at the submarine cable map reveals that these islands are linked through two vital undersea cables—LION and METISS. Additional cables connect them to various countries along the East African coast and to major hubs in South Africa and India. For the islands to reach Europe, they utilize the EASSy cable from Madagascar, which connects further to Europe-bound routes. This connectivity is set to improve once Madagascar establishes a direct subsea link to Marseille via the Africa-1 cable, anticipated to be operational soon.

Understanding the Local Context: La Réunion and Madagascar

La Réunion, situated between Madagascar and Mauritius, serves as a French overseas department. It shares the same rights as mainland France and has a strong European Union presence. With a population of around 866,506 (as of January 2019) living in an area of 2,507 square kilometers, the capital city of Saint-Denis houses about one-fifth of the population.

In contrast, Madagascar is the largest island in the Indian Ocean and the fourth largest globally, covering 587,000 square kilometers. Known for its unique biodiversity, many species found here are not seen anywhere else. The island has a population of over 26 million, with both Malagasy and French as official languages.

Internet Adoption on the Islands

Estimates indicate that around 480,000 people in La Réunion and 2.6 million in Madagascar are Internet users, representing 53.9% and 9.8% of each population, respectively. La Réunion is supported by four major Internet Service Providers (ISPs), while Madagascar relies on five. Notably, Telma and Gulfsat Madagascar, major ISPs in Madagascar, have seen dramatic growth in Internet traffic alongside their peers in La Réunion.

The Growth of Internet Traffic

According to France-IX data, ISPs like Zeop, Parabole, and Telma are witnessing a notable surge in Internet traffic. From a total subscribed capacity of 4 Gbps in 2015, their capacity jumped to 44 Gbps by 2018/19, marking an impressive increase of 925%. This growth is primarily driven by rising demands for streaming services and social media, particularly among the French-speaking population.

The Unique Internet Ecosystems

The Internet landscapes in La Réunion and Madagascar differ significantly. La Réunion enjoys a competitive market with six service providers catering to its relatively small population. This competition has spurred rapid fiber-optic deployment, allowing about 75% of homes to access fiber-to-the-home connections.

In Madagascar, Telma indicates a consistent rise in Internet traffic, largely fueled by the implementation of 4G and building out fiber networks. Both islands face challenges in accessing global content due to their geographical isolation but are finding creative solutions to bridge this gap.

Looking Closely at ISPs

Zeop: Pioneering Fiber Optics

Founded in 2008, Zeop is a frontrunner in fiber-optic deployment on La Réunion. The Deputy General Manager, Martin Vigneau, shares how their vision is to position La Réunion as a “smart island,” promoting economic growth by fostering connections with Africa, India, and Australia.

Parabole Réunion: Meeting Growing Demands

Starting as a digital TV broadcaster in 1998, Parabole Réunion expanded into ISP services in 2016. Telecom and Network Manager Richard Tchissambou describes the average annual growth of their IP traffic at 25%, primarily driven by video content consumption.

Telma: Adapting to Madagascar’s Context

In Madagascar, Telma stands as a major telecom operator. Joël Randrianasolo, Deputy CEO, mentions a sustained growth of around 80% per year, aided by extensive upgrades to their infrastructure and transition to fiber. Key initiatives include converting existing ADSL customers to fiber in major urban areas.

The France-IX Connection

Membership at France-IX Internet Exchange enhances performance for all three ISPs. Richard Tchissambou of Parabole Réunion notes that it allows them to connect with various major content providers, improving service quality and reducing latency. Similar sentiments are echoed by Martin Vigneau from Zeop and Joël Randrianasolo from Telma, who highlight the costs and latency benefits of this relationship.