The Eastern Africa Submarine System (EASSy) has experienced a recent setback with several links going offline due to a shunt fault. This issue has impacted traffic to the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe, leading to increased latency for users in these regions. Despite this, the fault has not caused major disruptions to the continent’s Internet, unlike previous incidents earlier in the year.
EASSy is a vital 10,000 km submarine cable system that runs along the east coast of Africa, connecting nine landing stations in countries such as Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, and South Africa. The cable is owned by a consortium of telecommunications companies, including WIOCC, MTN’s Bayobab, Vodacom DRC, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and Telkom, with WIOCC being the largest shareholder.
The consortium also includes other major players in the telecommunications industry such as BT, Bharti Airtel, Orange, and Saudi Telecom, among others. These companies play a crucial role in maintaining and operating the EASSy cable system to ensure reliable connectivity for users across the region.
A shunt fault is a specific type of power feed problem that can occur when the insulation protecting a submarine cable becomes damaged. These cables rely on underwater amplifiers to boost the light signal traveling along their fiber optic strands, which requires power to operate effectively. Damage to the insulation can result from various factors such as ship anchors, fishing trawlers, or even sea creatures like sharks.
When the insulation is compromised, it can lead to a short circuit from the cable’s metallic core to the seawater, causing a shunt fault. This type of fault can disrupt the transmission of data and impact the overall performance of the cable system. In this case, the exact cause of the cable break is still unknown, as confirmed by a WIOCC spokesperson.
Despite the challenges posed by the recent shunt fault, efforts are underway to address the issue and restore connectivity for users in the affected regions. The telecommunications companies involved in the EASSy consortium are working diligently to identify and resolve the fault to minimize any disruptions to Internet services.
As the situation continues to develop, it is essential for users and stakeholders to stay informed about the progress of the repairs and any potential impact on connectivity. By maintaining open communication and collaboration within the industry, the EASSy consortium can effectively address challenges and ensure the continued reliability of the submarine cable system for users in Eastern Africa and beyond.
