In the wake of unprecedented undersea cable cuts that disrupted digital communication across the West Coast of Africa, MTN Group’s subsidiary, Bayobab, has been at the forefront of restoration efforts. The incident, which occurred on March 14, 2024, affected four major subsea cables—WACS, ACE, SAT3, and MainOne—causing significant connectivity issues in several West African countries.
Bayobab’s swift response to the crisis involved a multi-faceted strategy aimed at minimizing the impact on its customers and restoring services as quickly as possible. The company’s robust network infrastructure allowed for the immediate rerouting of traffic through alternative paths, ensuring that communication services remained operational despite the challenges.
In a statement released on March 15, Bayobab acknowledged the disruptions and outlined its approach to managing the situation. The group has been working closely with consortium partners to coordinate repair work and has successfully mobilized a cable ship for a collaborative repair effort. This proactive engagement highlights Bayobab’s commitment to maintaining network reliability and customer service during critical times.
Furthermore, Bayobab has activated new cables to increase interconnectivity and establish alternative routes, demonstrating its network resiliency. The company has also made strides in enhancing interconnection along both the west and east coasts of Africa, with further interconnections between WACS and Equiano, and the introduction of an end-to-end connection between WACS on the west coast and EASSy on the east coast.
As of March 19, Bayobab has successfully restored over 3 terabits per second (Tbps) of capacity across its footprint, marking a significant milestone in the recovery process. The group’s efforts have been instrumental in mitigating the impact of the cable damage and ensuring the continuity of digital services in the region.
The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of undersea cables and the importance of having contingency plans in place. Bayobab’s effective response to the cable cuts underscores the company’s dedication to providing resilient and reliable connectivity services, even in the face of unforeseen challenges1234.
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