MainOne, a key player in digital infrastructure services, has disclosed that the repair process for the recently damaged subsea cables, causing widespread internet disruptions in Nigeria and other West African countries, will extend up to eight weeks. The outage, which occurred on March 14, severely impacted internet access across various sectors in the region.
The affected undersea cables, including the West Africa Cable System (WACS), Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), MainOne, and SAT3, disrupted data and fixed telecom services across multiple West African nations, stretching as far as eastern and southern Africa.
Initially estimating a repair timeline of one to two weeks, MainOne announced on Monday that the extent of the cable damage necessitates a longer period for restoration. Despite restoring network access in the region over the past week, the company acknowledges the challenges posed by the cable damage.
In a statement, MainOne affirmed its commitment to addressing the issue promptly, collaborating with maintenance partners, vessel owners, and permitting authorities to expedite the repair process. Loaded with necessary spares, the repair vessel is poised to commence the restoration efforts, with timelines estimated at six to eight weeks.
While MainOne remains optimistic about restoring services and ensuring the integrity of the submarine cable, the extended repair period underscores the complexity of the situation and the company's dedication to maintaining regional digital connectivity.
