New submarine cable in South Africa

3 September 2010

A new network of submarine cables will link the west coast of Africa with South America.

A press release issued on 2 September reveals that Alcatel-Lucent has been selected by eFive Telecoms, a South African telecommunications company, to construct and maintain the cable.

The aim is to improve connectivity in Africa and to offer an alternative route, which is essential to protect telecommunications traffic.

The works will be done in two stages, the first between South Africa, Angola and Nigeria and the second between Angola and Brazil.

"This project confirms that Africa represents a major centre for high-speed connectivity", commented Philippe Dumont, director of submarine networks at Alcatel-Lucent.

The press release does not specify the date on which the cable will enter into service.

Alcatel-Lucent has also been selected to expand the WACS (West Africa Cable System) submarine cable network which will link South Africa with the United Kingdom, in its final portion (Portugal to the United Kingdom). 

Category: ICT