EASSy (cable system)

The Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) is an initiative to connect countries of eastern Africa via a high bandwidth fibre optic cable system to the rest of the world. It is considered a milestone in the development of information infrastructure in the region.

EASSy is planned to run from Mtunzini in South Africa to Port Sudan in Sudan, with landing points in six countries, and connected to at least five landlocked countries – who will no longer have to rely on expensive satellite systems to carry voice and data services.

The project, funded by the World Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, was initiated on January 2003, when a handful of companies investigated its feasibility. Although the African Development Bank and various governments have pledged financial support, funding has yet to be fully resolved.

Telkom SA Ltd, a major EASSy stakeholder, has said it may withdraw from the project, as it may be forced to reduce the fees it charges rival operators to use its bandwidth on SAT-3, a cable connecting Portugal and Spain to Melkbosstrand, South Africa, which is co-owned by Telkom. The slow process of implementing the project (it is behind schedule by at least a year) has caused frustration among some governments in the region. A representative of the Government of Kenya said in May 2006 that it may endorse the TEAMS initiative ,a similar but parallel project which would connect Mombasa to Djibouti.

Project Milestones

*MoU Signature - December 2003
*Detailed Feasibility Study - March 2004
*Data Gathering Meeting - June 2005
*C&MA Drafting Finalization - March 2006
*Supply Contract Award - September 2006
*Registration / Incorporation of SPV - January 2007
*Construction & Maintenance Agreement (Shareholders’ Agreement) Signature (C&MA) - 12th October 2006 to 12th February 2007
*Financial Closure - March 2007
*Supply Contract Signature - March 2007
*Construction Started - March 2008

Project is currently slated for completion in and commercial service in the second half of 2010.

Primary telecommunications companies of participating nations

*Sudan: Sudatel
*Djibouti: Djibouti Telecom
*Somalia: Somali Telecom Group
*Kenya: Telkom Kenya
*Tanzania: Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited
*Madagascar: Madacom
*Mozambique: Telecommunication de Mozambique
*South Africa: Telkom SA, Neotel, MTN Group
*Pan-african telecom trade association: African Telecommunications Union

ee also

* SAT-2
* SAT-3/WASC
* SAFE
* SEACOM
* TEAMS

References

* [http://www.sudantribune.com/article.php3?id_article=13910 "Eastern Africa submarine cable delayed for one year"] , "Sudan Tribune", February 4, 2006
* [http://allafrica.com/stories/200605170696.html "Kenya: Govt Gives Ultimatum for Cable Project"] , "The East African Standard", May 17, 2006
* [http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/06/12/79194_HNafricaeassy_1.html?3G "Africa Resolves Telecommunications Debate Over EASSy Project"] , "Infoworld", June 12, 2006
* [http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/telecoms/2006/0607121200.asp?S=All%20Africa%20News&A=AFN&O=FPLF "Alcatel Wins EASSy Contract"] , "IT Web", July 12, 2006
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5328578.stm "Kenya aims for own internet cable"] , "BBC News", September 8, 2006
* [http://www.ralden.com/C1/EASSy/default.aspx "Just say NO to EASSY"] , by Roland H. Alden

External links

* [http://www.habari.co.tz/node/bulletins/agm2005/eascs.html A presentation on EASSy by E. Yonazi, East African Community Secretariat]