The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the successful restoration of voice and data services following undersea cable cuts along the Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal coasts. This development comes after days of disruptions that affected telecommunications subscribers and bank users in the region.
According to Rueben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at NCC, services have now been restored to approximately 90% of their peak utilization capacities. Muoka stated that all operators impacted by the cuts have utilized recovery capacity from submarine cables unaffected by the cuts, leading to the recovery of services.
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have assured the NCC that data and voice services will operate optimally until full repairs are completed on the undersea cables. They have activated alternative connectivities to bring back the situation to normalcy, minimizing the impact on consumers.
The NCC expressed gratitude to telecom consumers for their patience and understanding during the downtime caused by undersea fiber cuts.
The disruption, which began on March 14, 2024, affected digital transactions, internet communications, and other telecommunications services. Major telecommunications companies like MTN and banks experienced network outages attributed to the subsea cable cuts in Cote d’Ivoire’s coast.
The incident underscored the vulnerability of digital infrastructure to external factors such as natural hazards and human activities.
MainOne, a submarine cable company, initially estimated up to two weeks for repairs of the undersea cable cut. This disrupted services in several African countries. The company identified fishing activities, anchoring in shallow waters, and equipment failures as possible causes of the cuts.
Restoring services to 90% capacity significantly mitigates the impact of undersea cable cuts on regional telecommunications, a major achievement.
The NCC and industry stakeholders continue to work towards enhancing resilience and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for consumers.
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