Maritime crews ensure Africa stays connected to the internet

A submarine landslide in Africa led to the breaking of underwater cables, causing significant disruptions in internet connectivity infrastructure in West Africa and South Africa. The vessels Léon Thévenin and the CS Sovereign spent nearly 60 days repairing the submarine cables on the seabed to restore connectivity. The failures of cables like the West Africa Cable System (WACS), Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), SAT3, and MainOne were attributed to physical cuts off the coasts of Ivory Coast and Senegal, possibly due to seismic activity.

Internet access in Africa heavily relies on submarine cable systems, with 600 active cables facilitating global data traffic exchange. The failures resulted in degraded services and almost complete internet outages in 13 African countries along the West African coast. The repairs were carried out by skilled technicians on vessels like the Leon Thevenin, highlighting the importance of these individuals in maintaining internet connectivity.

The connectivity infrastructure in Africa varies, with some countries better connected than others. While South Africa quickly rerouted internet traffic during cable breaks, countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia faced complete internet stoppages due to limited cable connections. Damage to cables is caused by various factors, including landslides, fishing boat accidents, deliberate sabotage, and shark bites. The financing of submarine cables has shifted to large private companies, raising concerns about digital sovereignty and control over digital infrastructure.

Source .