Southern Africa Internetworking: where we are, where we could be

Abstract

This paper covers a brief history of the Internet in Southern Africa. It covers the period from about 1985 when university efforts were first formalised, the effect of the FRD taking a positive interest in 1987, the efforts in establishing the international gateway in 1989, the first TCP/IP link in 1991 and links into Africa from UNINET. It then goes on to review the present situation, where there are four Internet service providers, direct links to a number of African countries and severe growing pains. Some of the problems of the present situation are highlighted as well as stumbling blocks that are inhibiting expansion. The paper closes with a vision of what might be achieved and the benefits that would arise therefrom.

Citation

Lawrie, M. (1995), "Southern Africa Internetworking: where we are, where we could be", The Electronic Library, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 397-400. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045396