Airtel Telesonic, the
wholesale arm of Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications, with
a presence in 14 countries in Africa, has announced the successful
activation of the 2Africa submarine cable system, marking a significant
milestone in enhancing connectivity across the African continent.
The initial phase of activation connects
Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, heralding a new era of high-speed, reliable
internet access. The 2Africa cable system is one of the largest subsea projects
globally, designed to interconnect Africa, Europe, and Asia. This activation is
part of a broader initiative to deliver faster and more resilient internet
services, supporting the digital transformation across Africa.
Airtel Telesonic
achieved this milestone with their partnership with Alcatel Submarine Networks,
which is an industry leader in optical submarine networks deployed worldwide,
with the ability to offer turn-key solutions utilizing the latest technology,
both in subsea infrastructure and transmission capacity.
ASN (Alcatel Submarine
Networks) and AIRTEL showcase their collaborative efforts in this deployment,
strengthening ASN's renowned track record for efficiently meeting deployment
schedules, with ASN implementing its latest cutting-edge SLTE platform
(PSI-SUB) on the 2Africa subsea cable network.
ASN PSI-SUB is an
innovative platform that boasts a grid less, modular, and colorless
architecture, ready to seamlessly accommodate all next-generation transponders
in a future-proof platform.
Speaking on the partnership PD Sarma, CEO of Airtel Telesonic, expressed his enthusiasm about this achievement: "The activation of the 2Africa submarine cable is a monumental
step in our mission to bridge the digital divide in Africa. Airtel is proud to
launch the first phase of 2Africa cable system powered by the latest SLTE
equipment from our partner. This project not only underscores our commitment to
investing in advanced infrastructure but also our dedication to empowering
communities with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age. This is a
significant milestone underscoring the power of collaboration and innovation to
bring the world’s longest Submarine cable system to Africa.”
Speaking on the partnership, ASN’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer,
Paul Gabla, said “ASN is very pleased to support Airtel with our cutting-edge SLTE
equipment on the 2Africa cable system. This partnership underscores our
dedication to continuing the fast delivery of world-class SLTE technological
solutions. This important milestone highlights the strength of collaboration
and innovation in bringing advanced connectivity solutions to Africa through
our partnership with Airtel”.
The 2Africa submarine cable is set to
transform the digital landscape in Africa, providing unprecedented
opportunities for connectivity and growth. As Airtel Africa continues to expand
its network, the company remains committed to delivering innovative solutions
that meet the evolving needs of its customers.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
