Google and You tube partners with AfriConnect to host cache servers locally

The World’s leading search engine Google and leading video sharing website You Tube has partnered with local Internet service provider (ISP) AfriConnect to host the internet giant’s local cache operations.

AfriConnect Marketing Manager Janice Maliwa-Chipenzi announced in a statement in Lusaka today that AfriConnect will become the host operation for the Google and YouTube servers in Zambia.

“The effect of hosting this caching equipment is that all Google searches are carried out locally in Zambia (rather than in Europe or further afield), and that 'popular' searches from around the world are 'pre-fetched' or ‘saved’ on the servers - meaning search results are already on a server in the country, making searches notably faster, and saving international bandwidth. She said.

Since Google also own YouTube the same facility applies to searching for and viewing all popular videos - now held locally.

Ms Maliwa-Chipenzi said to make this service available to local internet users, AfriConnect has installed several high-powered computer servers linked to their own dedicated high-speed Internet link, all housed in a secure facility with fully resilient power and cooling systems.

She said the partnership with Google and you tube shows the level of confidence the international ICT sector has in the local ISP’s, a situation which will further enhance Zambia’s internet connectivity to the world.

“AfriConnect has been tirelessly building capacity on our network and thus Google choosing to partner with us as the Zambian location for hosting because of our ability to provide the necessary infrastructure to an international standard.” She added

Ms Maliwa-Chipenzi said AfriConnect is now working to ensure that users of other ISPs in the country can take advantage of the speed and savings.

“Our integration into Vodacom Business has also seen more resources put into upgrading our technical support. Our call centre has been expanded and now has more staff to handle all manner of technical queries. Our call centre which is open from 07hrs to 23hrs daily now has more dedicated lines. Our customers can reach us through our customer support email. We will continue to improve upon our infrastructure and support as we push to offer more than just internet.” said Janice Maliwa-Chipenzi.


AfriConnect Zambia Limited was established in 2005.
AfriConnect’s brand portfolio includes iConnect, iSpot, iSMS, iControl and iPutt (at The Lusaka Club).
Among AfriConnect’s achievements are:
iConnect.zm was Zambia’s first WiMax broadband ISP
iSMS.zm was one of the first integrated SMS communication platforms in Zambia, allowing the development of tools such as the ZNFU Commodity Prices service
iConnect.zm was the first Zambian ISP to offer its customers an exclusive internet portal (myConnect)
iConnect.zm was the first Zambian broadband ISP to offer 7 days a week, 07:00-23:00 support
iConnect.zm was the first Zambian ISP to trial broadband connectivity in a rural area with its Namwala.com project
iConnect.zm was the first Zambian broadband ISP to offer broadband in all nine provincial capitals
iConnect.zm broadband is currently available in: Chingola, Chipata, Choma, Kabwe, Kasama, Kitwe, Livingstone, Lusaka, Mansa, Mongu, Namwala, Ndola and Solwezi, Luanshya, Chililambombwe, Mazabuka, Mufuliria and many more towns to follow..
iSpot has more than 100 hotspot locations across Zambia
AfriConnect invested heavily in the iSchool.zm project, which has now been spun-off as an independent company.
Became a part of the VodaCom Business group of companies in 2010.

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