Seacom has launched PeeringReach, a cost-effective Layer 2 connectivity solution designed to extend South Africa's Internet Exchange (IXP) fabric into local municipalities and regional hubs, addressing the high costs and complexity traditionally associated with accessing national exchange connectivity.
Seacom Peering Reach is designed to help regional networks scale faster and operate more efficiently and affordably in the digital economy.
Delivered over Seacom's national long-distance fibre backbone, Seacom PeeringReach provides reliable, SLA-backed access to South Africa’s leading Internet Exchanges, including JINX, CINX, DINX and NAPAfrica. The service offers a simpler, more affordable alternative to indirect routing via upstream providers or large‑scale infrastructure investments, helping customers connect directly to the IXP ecosystem.
Broader exchange access at a lower cost
Historically, gaining access to South Africa's peering ecosystem often required indirect connectivity paths or significant investment in national infrastructure, creating cost and operational barriers for networks operating in smaller towns and municipalities. Seacom PeeringReach removes these barriers by extending exchange access into local and regional areas through a single, integrated Layer 2 service.
By making exchange connectivity more accessible and affordable, the solution enables ISPs, regional carriers, enterprises and content providers to improve network efficiency and performance, regardless of geographic location.
"This launch is about fundamentally rebalancing access to South Africa's digital infrastructure," said Prenesh Padayechee, Group Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Digital Infrastructure at Seacom. "Seacom PeeringReach gives networks in local municipalities a more cost-effective way to connect into the national peering ecosystem, helping them improve performance and, at the same time, keep connectivity costs under control."
Improving efficiency, simplifying network operations
A key benefit of Seacom PeeringReach is its dedicated Layer 2 design, which eliminates the inefficiencies associated with indirect, multi-hop routing paths. By enabling more direct access to Internet Exchanges, the service improves traffic efficiency, predictability and overall network performance. It enables growth through simple provisioning rather than construction, significantly reducing cost and time to market.
"PeeringReach is about connectivity via an affordable enablement platform," said Padayechee. "We are helping regional networks scale faster, operate more efficiently, and participate more affordably in the digital economy. By levelling the playing field for regional networks, Seacom PeeringReach improves national traffic efficiency, resilience and digital inclusion," he said.
The service supports bandwidth options from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps without requiring major infrastructure investment.
Strengthening South Africa's digital ecosystem
The introduction of Seacom PeeringReach reinforces the company’s role as a national interconnection enabler, extending exchange access to areas that historically have been underserved.
Seacom designed the service for a range of customers, including ISPs serving local municipalities, regional carriers, enterprises with network-dependent operations, and content and cloud providers seeking improved performance in regional markets.
The official launch of Seacom PeeringReach took place at ZANOG iWeek2026, a key gathering of network operators and internet infrastructure stakeholders, held 21 to 23 April at Irene Country Lodge in Gauteng. The launch highlights Seacom's strategic role in advancing national interconnection and delivering high-performance reliable and cost-effective connectivity solutions across South Africa.
For more information visit: seacom.com