MTN Group’s Bayobab is making efforts to restore connectivity across regions in West Africa, including Nigeria, that were affected by damage to undersea cable along the coast of the region, the telecoms group has said.
The restoration efforts come amidst widespread complaints of degraded internet services, particularly impacting telecoms companies like MTN, bank networks and other critical services due to cuts on some major undersea cables.
Following a flurry of user complaints, including one from Twitter user @WolaDev, detailing difficulties accessing data services, “i @MTN180 Is the issue still on?
“ACE and WACS have jointly initiated the repair process by mobilising a cable ship for a collaborative repair effort. While investigation and repair efforts are underway, Bayobab’s strategy focuses on successfully rerouting traffic, leveraging our extensive network, and collaborating with industry partners.”
Bayobab Group
I can’t even access the portal I use to get my data from, I can enter any website peacefully, I will have to wait a decade before it loads, and not all will load self, argh 😤.
The pic self no load. Person 5gb go just waste. Hun? Do something 😒”
MTN responded, acknowledging the network challenges stemming from the damaged undersea cables. The company assured users of ongoing efforts to resolve the issue. “Hi, I am sorry about the network challenge. We are aware of the degraded data experience caused by cuts to the international undersea cables. This impacts MTN and other service providers. Resolution is ongoing by the cable operators. 1/2. ~WA”
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has confirmed that the disruption was caused by cuts to international undersea cables, affecting not only Nigeria but also neighbouring West African countries.
Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated that repair works have commenced, with cable operators working tirelessly to restore services swiftly.
The incident, which originated from cuts in cables along the West African coast, impacted vital undersea cables like WACS, ACE, SAT3, and MainOne. These disruptions not only affected Nigeria but also countries such as Ghana, Senegal, and Cote d’Ivoire. Furthermore, similar incidents were reported along routes connecting Europe to the East Coast of Africa, adding to the widespread service degradation, according to NCC.
In response, MTN Group’s Bayobab, the telecoms group said, has taken proactive steps to address the issue. In a press release issued today, the digital solutions company acknowledged that they are coordinating repair efforts with consortium partners, leveraging alternative network paths, and engaging in collaborative repair processes with cable operators. Bayobab aims to minimise service interruptions and maintain connectivity by rerouting traffic and activating new cables.
“ACE and WACS have jointly initiated the repair process by mobilising a cable ship for a collaborative repair effort. While investigation and repair efforts are underway, Bayobab’s strategy focuses on successfully rerouting traffic, leveraging our extensive network, and collaborating with industry partners.”
The group said that “our network resiliency allows for the swift activation of new cables, facilitating faster rerouting and bolstering network resilience. By activating new cables, we quickly increase interconnectivity and establish alternative routes.”
“Additionally, we are working with the cable consortiums and partners to enhance interconnection along both the west and east coasts, with further interconnections between WACS and Equiano, and the introduction of the end-to-end connection between WACS on the west coast and EASSy on the east coast.”
“We have already made progress in restoring service in some affected regions and remain committed to achieving full recovery as expeditiously as possible.”
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