In a significant development for telecommunications across West Africa, voice and data services disrupted by undersea cable cuts have now been largely restored, reaching approximately 90 per cent of their peak utilisation capacities.
The disruption, which occurred on March 14, 2024, impacted data and voice services due to cuts in undersea fibre optics along the coasts of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal. However, after concerted efforts by telecom operators, services have been brought back online to near-normal levels.
Affected operators swiftly took recovery measures, drawing upon the capacity of submarine cables that remained unaffected by the cuts. As a result, approximately 90 per cent of peak utilisation capacities have been recovered.
The director of public affairs at the commission overseeing the restoration, Reuben Muoka stated that mobile network operators have assured consumers of optimal operation of data and voice services. They have activated alternative connectivities to compensate for the damage until the undersea cables are fully repaired.
The restoration comes as a relief to telecom consumers who faced disruptions in their communication services. The commission extends its appreciation to consumers for their patience and understanding during the downtime caused by the undersea fibre cuts.
