The National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced a projected five-week timeline for the complete restoration of internet connectivity across Ghana.
Following disruptions in Mobile Network Operations since Thursday, March 14, 2024, attributed to cuts in undersea fibre optic cables, access to the internet has been severely impacted for many Ghanaians.
In response, the NCA convened a meeting on Saturday, March 16, involving all subsea cable landing service providers and the three affected mobile operators. During the meeting, it was revealed that the service providers have remotely identified the locations of the damage and are mobilizing repair vessels to the affected areas.
The NCA disclosed that the full restoration of connectivity is estimated to require a minimum of five weeks. It assured the public of its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure timely completion of the repair work.
In a comprehensive statement, the NCA outlined the key points discussed during the meeting, including ongoing efforts by mobile network operators and subsea cable landing service providers to increase data capacity and the estimated timeframe for restoration.
Acknowledging the significant impact of these disruptions on various sectors, the NCA emphasized its dedication to facilitating improvements in data services while operators work diligently to restore full connectivity.
Furthermore, the NCA encouraged active participation in the operations of the Ghana Internet Exchange (GIX) to enhance local content delivery and ensure seamless Internet traffic exchange within the country.
The authority pledged to provide updates on any new developments as they arise.
Below is the NCA’s full statement.
Further to our last update, the National Communications Authority (NCA) wishes to inform the public that:
- The Authority this afternoon held a face-to-face meeting with all four (4) subsea cable landing service providers (ACE, MainOne, SAT-3 and WACS); and the three (3) mobile network operators (AT, MTN and Telecel).
- The meeting was attended by the top management of the above providers and operators to receive updates and to discuss the way forward.
- The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and subsea cable landing service providers continue to work with their international partners in the sub-region to progressively add more capacity for data services as it becomes available.
- The subsea cable landing service providers have remotely identified the approximate locations of the damage and have made preparations to dispatch repair vessels to the location for physical assessment and restoration.
- Based on the above, the subsea cable landing service providers have indicated an estimated time frame of a minimum of five (5) weeks for full-service restoration from the time the vessels are dispatched to the various locations.
- The NCA recognizes the impact the disruptions have had on economic, academic and social activities and assures the public of its commitment to continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders. We expect some improvement in data services in the coming days while the operators work around the clock to restore full connectivity.
- The NCA encourages MNOs, Internet Service Providers, and all other providers to actively participate in the operations of the Ghana Internet Exchange (GIX) in order to ensure an efficient local content delivery and a seamless Internet traffic exchange locally.
- New developments will be communicated when available.
Source: InsiderGH.com
