Latest news with #CableSystem
The South African
05-06-2025
- The South African
Here's why your INTERNET may be slow this week
Parts of South Africa are grappling with slower internet speeds this week as a major international undersea data cable – the West Africa Cable System (WACS) – undergoes emergency repairs off the coast of Namibia. The 14 500km fibre-optic link, which connects South Africa to Europe via Portugal, went offline on Sunday, 1 June, after a critical fault was detected in a branching unit near Swakopmund. The damaged component – a branching unit which reroutes data signals – has been retrieved by a deep-sea cable repair ship. Engineers are now working to install a replacement and conduct tests to restore connectivity between Yzerfontein and Lisbon, a crucial handover hub for European internet traffic. 'We've verified the rest of the cable is intact. The next step is to install the new unit and perform a full signal test,' said Robert Kraai, co-chair of the WACS operations committee. Western Cape users are feeling the brunt of the outage, with reports of sluggish browsing and interrupted video streaming. users are of the outage, with reports of sluggish browsing and interrupted video streaming. Gauteng and northern regions, however, are largely unaffected due to their reliance on East Coast alternatives like Seacom and EASSy. 'Many networks in the Western Cape lean heavily on WACS,' said local ISP Cool Ideas. 'That makes this kind of outage particularly disruptive in the region.' Repairs are expected to continue until at least 16 June, but experts stress that sea conditions could impact the timeline. 'If the ocean cooperates, we should see service restored by the third week of June,' telecom analyst Roderick Beck noted. 'But it's the sea – anything can happen.' WACS is vital not just for basic internet access, but for high-speed data services, global content delivery, and cloud connectivity in South Africa. It also connects to the South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) via Angola, making it a linchpin for regional and intercontinental traffic. The incident underscores how fragile global connectivity can be – relying on a small number of deep-sea cables, often vulnerable to faults, weather events, or physical damage. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TECHx
17-02-2025
- Business
- TECHx
TECHx Media du Partners with PEACE Cable to Boost UAE's Connectivity
du Partners with PEACE Cable to Boost UAE's Connectivity News Desk - Share du, the UAE's leading telecom and digital services provider, has announced a strategic partnership with PEACE Cable International Network Co. Limited (PEACE) to extend the PEACE Cable System into the UAE and Gulf region. This collaboration is set to enhance digital transformation and connectivity for du's Wholesale and Enterprise customers, utilizing the high-capacity, advanced PEACE Cable infrastructure. The agreement includes the landing of the PEACE Cable in the UAE, an open-access submarine cable system designed to deliver ultra-high-speed, secure, and resilient connections. This development will bolster du's network performance and managed services across the region. Additionally, the construction of the PEACE Gulf Extension, a new branch from the PEACE Cable's in-service trunk segment, will extend the cable's reach to the UAE, integrating it into a global network spanning over 22,000 km across three continents. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, commented, 'Our investment in the PEACE Cable aligns with du's commitment to enhancing the UAE's global connectivity status. This partnership will bring significant economic and digital advancements, providing our customers with unparalleled reliability and value. We are proud to contribute to the UAE's vision of becoming a leading digital and AI hub while solidifying our role in regional connectivity with exclusive ownership of the cable landing in the country.' Sun Xiaohua, CEO of PEACE, added, 'The PEACE Cable initiative aims to foster exceptional connectivity across continents. This project is about more than just laying a cable—it's about building bridges that connect cultures, economies, and communities. In an era where digital infrastructure is as essential as traditional infrastructure, our mission is to create a more integrated and empowered global society.' The PEACE Cable project is expected to be Ready For Service (RFS) by the second half of 2026. This partnership marks a significant step forward in regional digital infrastructure development and reinforces du's commitment to positioning the UAE as a key gateway for global connectivity. Through the PEACE Cable, du will facilitate economic, social, and digital transformation, supporting the UAE's strategic vision for a knowledge-powered, innovative future.
