Algerie Telecoms goes for cutting-edge triple play.

Cheap, fast broadband access of the calibre found overseas is still not quite a reality on the African continent, but this could change if a new approach to last-mile connectivity gains widespread support.

Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) offers a direct to home fibre optic cable connection rather than a last mile connection dependent on copper or other options. The result could be a cheaper but faster solution for home users. There are no working examples in Africa yet--but some could be on the way sooner than most expect.

Algerie Telecoms, Algeria's fixed-line incumbent, which offers voice, data, satellite and internet access to residential and business users, has set its sights firmly on being the first in Africa to roll-out such a system. Yet despite the possibilities of this technology, it is an expensive investment for the operator.

The potential benefits are appealing. "The advent of bandwidth demanding applications will continue to increase the demand for high speed fibre connectivity within consumer homes," says the FTTH Council of Europe.

Currently there are FTTH Councils for Europe, North America and Asia and the Pacific.

The council describes FTTH as "a quantum leap in the amount of bandwidth provided to end users breaking the limits for multimedia service delivery, for example multiple TV channels, PC connections and new telephone services all at once."

Algerie Telecoms' interest in FTTH is spurred on by the possibilities such technology offers in terms of triple play, which brings together voice, broadband internet and television. In fact, the Algerian operator is so keen to explore these options it has turned to Korean Telecom and British Telecom for advice on how to implement television services through such a connection. IPTV is on the cards for Algerian subscribers.

The question remains, however: Can Algerie Telecom really reap the benefits of FTTH and create an offering that combines speed, pricing and attractive services to sell to the public? The company plans to test the market with an initial roll-out in four cities, Algiers, Constantine, Orange and Setif. Nationwide roll-out is scheduled to begin in the next 12 months. This roll-out will take place in conjunction with the company's WiMax plans. Algeria is not the only African country to investigate the possibilities of FTTH. South Africa is also implementing small-scale projects using the technology. Last August, ECN, a provider of affordable and accessible converged voice and data solutions, announced that it had been awarded a contract by BONDEV, property developers of Midrand Estates, one of the largest gated communities in South Africa, for the delivery of voice and data services.

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The services would be provided through a Passive Optical Network (PON) and would deliver "access to low-cost telephony and high-speed Internet, and allow for the future deployment of on-demand-video content and IP TV."

In another Gauteng suburb, Parkmore, residents could soon have high-speed broadband in their homes delivered over aerial fibre-optic cabling at prices 30% to 40% cheaper than fixed-line incumbent Telkom's rates, according to Fin24.com. Although the project has not yet been given the go-ahead and other options are also being explored, this is anticipated to be the first fibre-optic last-mile network funded by a community in South Africa.

Mauritius too is opting for FTTH as part of its strategy to bring connectivity to the island. The African Press Agency reported last year that 2,200km of optical fibre would need to be laid in order to create the FTTH option, but that United Communications Limited (UCL) aimed to provide internet access at speeds of up to 1Gbps through the Mauritius FiberNet project in 2008.

If operators can balance the cost of the initial investment and still offer competitive pricing and diverse services in the multimedia arena FTTH can offer significant benefits to African consumers and businesses. As Hans van de Groenendaal of Broadband Technology Shootout says, "Fibre to the home or office is the obvious long-term answer to all broadband prayers. It is already used for large business but at this stage not readily available in residential areas." But Algerie Telecoms and others seem set to change all that.