EASSy Submarine Cable Fault: Navigating Internet Disruptions in Africa

South Africans experienced yet another hiccup in internet connectivity as the Eastern Africa Submarine System (EASSy) encountered a shunt fault on several links since Tuesday. While reports confirm increased latency, particularly in traffic heading to the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe, the magnitude of the disruption was not as extensive as previous incidents earlier in the year, sparing the continent from severe internet setbacks.

EASSy, a vital 10,000 km undersea cable, facilitates digital communication along the east coast of Africa, connecting various countries including South Africa. A consortium of telecommunications giants, spearheaded by WIOCC, collaborates in the ownership and management of this system. Operations among consortium members, such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN's Bayobab, and Telkom, are crucial for maintaining uninterrupted service across the network.

A shunt fault, stemming from compromised cable insulation, can culminate in short circuits due to the interaction between the cable's metallic core and surrounding seawater. These incidents can be attributed to diverse causes such as anchor damage, sea life interference, and natural forces exerting stress on the fibers and protective layers.

Current efforts to understand the specific cause and exact location of the EASSy break are underway, with a spokesperson from WIOCC conceding that details would only emerge once the cable is retrieved for inspections. In the interim, mitigation strategies involve reconfiguring the network to maintain nominal service between Port Sudan and Maputo, although a temporary loss of traffic to Mtunzini is inevitable during repair operations.

The resilience of EASSy is demonstrated by its swift recovery from a prior cable fault earlier in May, which coincided with cable disruptions off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire. The proactive response of the consortium has facilitated quick restorations, with MainOne declaring the reinstatement of their cable in just under two months following the March incident.

The repair processes are currently in motion, but unpredictable weather conditions—manifesting as high winds and swells—pose challenges, potentially extending the repair timeline beyond the initial 25 August 2024 estimate.