How South Africa's Internet survived multiple cable breaks

[Jamie McKane]

How South Africa's Internet survived multiple cable breaks

South Africans have been hit by slow Internet speeds over the last two weeks after multiple submarine cable breaks on 16 January.

The damage to the SAT-3 and WACS undersea cables, which run along the West Coast of Africa, disrupted international connectivity between South Africa and Europe.

 

[Lupus]

Probaby cause of EASSY and Seacom still functioning?

 

[R4ziel]

It took a while to get to the "survived" part, and it's limping along at the moment, I hope they fix the cable breaks soon so everything can go back to normal

 

[Kloofvreter]

I know of a dodgy site that's now not accessible

 

[Lupus]

I know of a dodgy site that's now not accessible

But you look like you're here?

 

[Dan C]

I know of a dodgy site that's now not accessible

Takealot?

 

[system32]

African Undersea Cables

Update Sept 2025 (Version 57) Please contact me if you’d like a copy of the map in SVG format. For a history of African undersea cables, have a look at animated gif history. If you’re i…

manypossibilities.net

 

[Swa]

African Undersea Cables

Update Sept 2025 (Version 57) Please contact me if you’d like a copy of the map in SVG format. For a history of African undersea cables, have a look at animated gif history. If you’re i…

manypossibilities.net

View attachment 775032

So much to use and nothing to use it with...

 

[Dan C]

So much to use and nothing to use it with...

You have the same girlfriend as me?

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Did I miss the Apocalypse.......the 4 horsemen, or something?

 

[Moridin]

Any news on when this will be fixed? Hopefully by now the ship has sailed up north from Cape Town.

 

[Swa]

Did I miss the Apocalypse.......the 4 horsemen, or something?

No they went South to find a shorter path but when they got here they turned back seeing their job was already underway.

 

[thehuman]

Any news on when this will be fixed? Hopefully by now the ship has sailed up north from Cape Town.

Leon Thevenin on its way to the WACS S1i cable grounds. We have a provisional repair date of the 8th February for the WACS cable system. SAT-3 will be attended to thereafter. This information may be subject to change.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1221753444295487494

 

[braailekker11]

Slow news day eh?

 

[Kloofvreter]

Takealot?

Perfectly accessible.

 

[supersunbird]

African Undersea Cables

Update Sept 2025 (Version 57) Please contact me if you’d like a copy of the map in SVG format. For a history of African undersea cables, have a look at animated gif history. If you’re i…

manypossibilities.net

View attachment 775032

So Equiano scheduled to go active next year? At least there will be a 4th west coast alternative.

 

[RazedInBlack]

UPDATE ON CABLE REPAIR: SAT-3 Segment 3 Cable Repair update - Change in repair sequence

Please take note of the cable repair sequence received from CS Thevenin.

CS Thevenin repair schedule listed below.

1. WACS repair in Congo
2. SAT3, Segment 3, Congo
3. SAT3, Segment 14 Ghana shunt fault.
4. WACS Ghana, outside work.

The change in repair sequence now moved the cable ship to cable ground ( Segment 3 ) to +/- 8th February 2020.

Estimate Time to Repair is now moved from 8th February to 19th February 2020

More updates to follow when it becomes available.

 

[dotcat]

African Undersea Cables

Update Sept 2025 (Version 57) Please contact me if you’d like a copy of the map in SVG format. For a history of African undersea cables, have a look at animated gif history. If you’re i…

manypossibilities.net

View attachment 775032

So what happens to Namibia, Angola etc do they just not have internet or are they routing via South Africa now?

 

[RazedInBlack]

UPDATE ON CABLE REPAIR: WACS Segment 4 (between Seixal and Highbridge-TYCO cable) cable cut since 16 January 2020 14:59

Update 6 : The weather is causing delays and the vessel is now expected to be on the repair grounds on the 31st. More updates will follow…

Update 5: Please be informed that the current repairs undertaken by C/S IAX(Cable ship mobilised for segment 4 repairs) on other cable is ongoing smoothly.

The POW for Segment 4 is therefore intact as of today subject to weather conditions.

More updates to follow…

Update 4: Please see attached the scope of work for Segment C1 repairs.

Update 3 : ASN has been called out for the repair using the C/S IAX. The C/S IAX is currently in progress of a repair which is scheduled to be finalized on Jan 28th. After this the IAX will transit to Avonmouth to pick up spare cable and fuel then continue onto the cable repair site with an estimated arrival date of Jan 29th. Repair is estimated to be completed by Feb 3rd. We are waiting for more weather details but we have been advised that the current conditions may cause some delays. More details to follow.

Date & Time: 2020/01/17 18:30 UTC

Update 2: change of subject line and traffic list attached

Update 1: Highbridge TSS confirmed there’s a cable cut on segment C1 since 16 January 2020 14:59, more updates will follow

Time: 07:44 UTC

 

[system32]

So what happens to Namibia, Angola etc do they just not have internet or are they routing via South Africa now?

AFAIK, Namibia does have some connectivity via land, additionally the ACE cable lands in Namibia.
Angola has the new SACS "Angola" cable that connects to Brazil/USA and the ACE cable.