Telecom Operators Assure Full Service Restoration Following Undersea Cable Cut

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.