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Africa Emerges as The Worst Performing Region in Internet Value

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Telecommunications - Investors King

According to a Surfshark report, Africa emerged as the worst-performing region in internet value, with an index nearly 20 times lower than the global average.

In Africa, only 4 out of 10 people can access the internet at a fair price, with South Africa ranking first, Egypt ranking second, followed by Morocco in third position. On the other hand, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Cameroon ranked as the lowest-ranking African countries in internet value.

A worldwide mobile pricing 2022 report, which surveyed 233 countries and territories, revealed that five of the most expensive countries to buy mobile data in the world are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mobile data is reported to be costly in most countries in Africa, and the cost of internet data is far more expensive than that of Israel, the country said to have the world’s cheapest data. Meanwhile, the high prices paid for the internet are rarely matched by the connection speeds.

With a penetration rate of 51% per cent of the total population of the country, Nigeria which is one of the leading African countries with the highest number of Internet users ranked 109th globally, with an index of 0.0017, which is 44 times lower than the global average, which signifies that Nigerians are overpaying for the internet they get when compared to other countries worldwide.

This represents a significant increase compared to 2021 when a global study ranked Nigeria lowest on affordable internet, ranking 85th out of 85 indexed countries in terms of internet affordability and rates.

Nigerians currently pay exorbitant fees to connect to the internet. For context, over N3.25 trillion was spent on airtime, data, and other telecommunication services in 2021.

As regards the African continent, Investors King understands that over the last eight years, the number of people connected to the internet in Africa doubled to 28%, owing to increased broadband internet coverage and smartphone penetration.

However, over half a billion (53%) people in regions with mobile broadband networks remain unconnected due to the high cost of data.

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Telecom Operators Assure Full Service Restoration Following Undersea Cable Cut

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Telecommunications - Investors King

In the wake of disruptions caused by cuts in undersea fiber-optic cables along the coasts of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal, telecom operators in Nigeria are committed to restoring voice and data services to their full capacity by Tuesday.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, provided assurances in an interview.

Last Thursday’s incident, which affected major undersea cables supplying broadband Internet connectivity to Nigeria and other West African countries, prompted widespread disruptions across various sectors including banking, telecommunications, and financial services.

Notable affected cables include the West African Cable System and African Coast to Europe, along with SAT3 and MainOne, which reported downtimes due to the cable cuts.

Despite the challenges posed by the disruption, telecom operators swiftly mobilized alternative service providers over the weekend to mitigate the impact.

While some providers have already confirmed partial restoration of services, others are in the process of completing migration, leading to ongoing delays and congestion.

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), services have been restored to approximately 90% of their peak utilization capacities.

Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, highlighted that operators have activated alternative connectivity to ensure optimal data and voice services operation pending full repairs of the undersea cables.

Adebayo expressed confidence in the restoration efforts, emphasizing the significant progress made to minimize disruptions.

He underscored the collaborative efforts among telecom operators and alternative service providers to navigate the challenges posed by the cable cuts.

The disruptions highlight the critical importance of undersea cables in maintaining seamless connectivity in today’s interconnected world.

Going forward, plans for global collaboration to enhance the protection of undersea cables and ensure their resilience are underway, spearheaded by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.

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Minister Bosun Tijani Leads Global Effort to Safeguard Undersea Cables Amidst Disruptions

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Undersea-cable

Minister Bosun Tijani of Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has initiated a global collaboration.

The minister took to social media to announce plans aimed at enhancing the protection of undersea cables, emphasizing the critical role these cables play in the digital economy.

Tijani’s proactive stance comes in the wake of undersea cable cuts that have impacted countries across West Africa, including Ghana, Togo, and Senegal.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Tijani underscored the need to review international laws and forge partnerships with regional and global bodies to safeguard this essential infrastructure.

Acknowledging the disruption faced by affected nations, Tijani assured stakeholders that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is actively engaged in resolving the issues.

His initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring the resilience and reliability of undersea cables, which serve as lifelines in today’s interconnected world.

In light of the disruptions, various sectors, including banking, telecommunications, and financial services, have encountered operational challenges.

Sarafadeen Fasasi, President of the Association Of Mobile Money and Bank Agents In Nigeria, highlighted the significant impact on financial transactions and reconciliation processes, causing headaches for businesses and customers alike.

While the cause of the cable cuts remains under investigation, efforts to restore services are underway.

However, authorities in Ghana estimate that full service restoration may take up to five weeks.

Meanwhile, stakeholders are hopeful that Minister Tijani’s global collaboration will expedite solutions to safeguard undersea cables and mitigate future disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity essential for economic, academic, and social activities.

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MTN Nigeria Grapples with Network Disruptions from Overseas Cable Damage

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MTN Nigeria is currently contending with network disruptions stemming from damage to an overseas undersea cable, causing widespread inconvenience for its customers.

The telecommunication giant confirmed the issue in a statement, acknowledging the connectivity disruptions experienced by its subscribers.

Reports indicate that the glitch has affected both voice and data services, resulting in communication disruptions for millions of subscribers across the country.

Subscribers have expressed frustration on social media platforms over the prolonged network outage, with complaints ranging from failed call attempts to concerns about the failure to receive bank alerts.

MTN Nigeria assured its customers that it is actively working to resolve the issue and restore services as quickly as possible.

The telecom operator emphasized the critical importance of consistent internet and communication services, pledging to swiftly address the disruptions.

Efforts are underway to reroute traffic through alternative network paths and expedite the repair process for the damaged cables in collaboration with consortium partners.

Despite the challenges, MTN Nigeria remains committed to minimizing service interruptions and maintaining connectivity for its customers.

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