- 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 inSouth Africa toPort Sudan inSudan , 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 theDevelopment Bank of Southern Africa , was initiated on January 2003, when a handful of companies investigated its feasibility. Although theAfrican 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 andSpain toMelkbosstrand , 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 ofKenya said inMay 2006 that it may endorse the TEAMS initiative ,a similar but parallel project which would connectMombasa toDjibouti .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 2008Project 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
* TEAMSReferences
* [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. AldenExternal links
* [http://www.habari.co.tz/node/bulletins/agm2005/eascs.html A presentation on EASSy by E. Yonazi, East African Community Secretariat]
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