Facebook extends subsea cable to Nigeria, others

Facebook has said that it would extend its subsea cables to south-eastern Nigeria, Seychelles, the Comoros Island, and Angola.

The company said it would do this in collaboration with the 2Africa consortium that includes China Mobile International, MTN GlobalConnect, Orange, STC, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone and WIOCC.

In 2020, Facebook announced that the 2Africa project would lay 37,000 km (22,990 miles) of cables to interconnect Europe, via Egypt, and the Middle East, via Saudi Arabia, and 21 landings in 16 African countries.

Regarding the company’s continued investment in Africa, a Facebook spokesperson said, “The significant investment by Facebook in 2Africa builds on several other investments we have made in the continent, including infrastructure investments in South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria and DRC.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of connectivity as billions of people around the world rely on the internet to work, attend school and stay connected to the people they care about.

“2Africa will not only be an important element for advancing connectivity infrastructure across the African continent, but it will also be a major investment that comes at a critical time for economic recovery.

“With more and more people relying on the internet, subsea cables are a vital ingredient to ensure they always are connected to what matters.

“While Facebook invests in submarine cables to provide better experiences for people using our products; our investments drive a more cost-effective internet for all.”

The 2Africa project is set to be completed either by 2023 or early 2024. And when it goes live, it will serve more than the current total combined capacity of all subsea cables serving Africa.

Also, the consortium has selected Nokia’s Alcatel Submarine Networks to build the new branches, bringing 2Africa landings to 35 in 26 countries. PUNCH