Seacom faces subsea cable disruption affecting Kenya and Egypt. The company has yet to make mention of or confirm the real cause of the said outage which as you should know started on Saturday, February 24, 2024, and then affected other nearby cables.
But know that it is however working with a cable repair partner to help determine the cause and feasibility of the repair in general.
Seacom Subsea Cable Disruption
According to the company, the said disruption only affects the cable segment that runs from Mombasa, Kenya, to Zafarana, Egypt. This development follows a warning issued by telecommunications companies in Yemen three weeks ago, cautioning about the potential sabotage of a network of submarine cables in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels.
Seacom, a provider of communications and cloud solutions, asserts ownership of Africa’s most extensive ICT data infrastructure. Notably, the company commands up to 25% of the wholesale fiber market in the region and serves as a vital link for Internet traffic from South Africa to Europe.
Seacom Boasts the Installation of Africa’s Inaugural Broadband Submarine Cable System
Renowned for its leadership in broadband and data network connectivity, Seacom boasts the installation of Africa’s inaugural broadband submarine cable system in 2009, which spans East and South Africa.
The significance of subsea cables has become increasingly apparent with the growing demand for high-quality connectivity. Notably, the Red Sea serves as a host for significant intercontinental subsea cables, underlining its strategic importance in global communications infrastructure.
Seacom Has Affirmed That Transmissions and IP Services Will Persist Via Cable Connections
In addition to the recent outage, Seacom has affirmed that transmissions and IP services will persist via cable connections linking Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa. Furthermore, Seacom has rerouted all other IP-based services destined for Europe and other regions through alternative cable systems such as Equiano, PEACE, and WACS.
Despite ongoing efforts to address the situation, Seacom acknowledges that clients may experience some latency in their Internet communications but assures them that operations remain functional. Additionally, the company pledges to provide clients with restoration timelines as they become available.
Seacom Had Forewarned In Early February about Potential Repair Delays
Prior to the outage, Seacom had forewarned in early February about potential repair delays in the event of disruptions to the cable system in the Red Sea, citing the region’s instability. Reflecting on the recent incident, Seacom underscores the challenging nature of conducting maintenance and repair operations amidst the geopolitical sensitivity and ongoing tensions in the area.
Moreover, Seacom is actively pursuing expansion opportunities in East and West Africa through strategic acquisitions, indicating its commitment to bolstering its presence and offerings across the continent.
The Sudanese Internet Blackout
The Sudanese Internet blackout stemmed from a confrontation between the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Army, with the RSF being implicated in the incident. The heightened tensions and conflict in the region exacerbated the situation, leading to delays in restoring Internet connectivity.
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