Title: Major internet disruptions in Central and South Africa: consequences and measures taken
Introduction:
Recent major disruptions affect internet services in Central and Southern Africa. These disturbances are mainly due to fiber optic cuts in the Congo Maritime Canyon. In this article, we will explore the consequences of these disruptions and the measures taken by the authorities to restore telecommunications services.
The causes of disturbances:
According to reports from the Regulatory Authority for Posts and Telecommunications of Congo (ARPTC), the fiber optic cuts are due to a landslide that caused a rock collapse in the Congo Maritime Canyon. Critical communications cables such as WACS, SAT 3 and ACE were affected by these disturbances. As a result, the Moanda landing station, managed by the Congolese Post and Telecommunications Company (SCPT), is also affected.
Consequences of disturbances:
The disruptions have major consequences for telecommunications services across the region. Not only is Central Africa affected, but the disturbances are also felt as far away as South Africa. Internet service providers and telecommunications operators are facing service interruptions, which affect user connectivity and disrupt online activities, both professionally and personally.
Actions taken to resolve the issues:
The ARPTC claims that redundancy solutions have been put in place to deal with these disturbances. A backup connection via fiber optic, known as Backbone SNEL East-West, was activated to keep services operational despite the cuts. This infrastructure connects Kasumbalesa to Moanda and minimizes disruption to telecommunications services.
At the same time, technical preparations are underway to deploy a vessel specialized in maintenance operations. This recovery vessel will be responsible for carrying out the necessary repair work in order to quickly restore communication links.
Conclusion :
The major disruptions affecting the internet in Central and South Africa have significant consequences on connectivity and telecommunications services. However, the competent authorities, such as the ARPTC, are putting in place measures to resolve these problems and restore services as soon as possible. Hopefully the repair work will proceed efficiently and help to minimize service disruptions and fully restore connectivity to the affected region