The Chief Executive Officer of West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), Chris Wood, has dispelled speculations surrounding the recent undersea cable cut, which caused widespread disruptions to internet operations across several African countries, including Nigeria.
Contrary to rumors suggesting that the damaged cables had reached the end of their lifespan, Wood affirmed that none of the four affected cables had expired.
Wood explained that undersea cable cuts are not uncommon and can result from various factors such as ship anchors, subsea landslides, or seismic events like earthquakes. Although repair efforts are underway, Wood did not provide specific details regarding the completion timeline or associated costs.
He emphasized the limited capability to restore networks due to the lack of network diversity, highlighting ongoing efforts to introduce redundancy measures.
However, against speculations, WIOCC is currently collaborating with partners to introduce Equiano, a new cable project, which will provide additional redundancy and minimize the impact of future incidents.
Wood disclosed that the cost of repairing the damaged cables could amount to millions of dollars, depending on factors such as repair duration and complexity. He assured stakeholders of WIOCC’s commitment to mitigating risks and preventing future occurrences through investments in infrastructure like the 2Africa cable project.
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The 2Africa cable, currently being laid, will enhance connectivity by landing in Lagos and Akwa Ibom, providing increased redundancy capabilities. This initiative aims to bolster the resilience of African internet infrastructure and minimize the impact of potential disruptions.
As repair efforts continue and preparations for the 2Africa Cable progress, stakeholders remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of robust infrastructure and proactive measures to safeguard against future disruptions in internet connectivity across the continent.
