A map of the PEACE Cable network, an undersea fibre-optic system connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia. A recent break in the cable in the Red Sea has disrupted internet services in Somalia and other East African nations, impacting connectivity and streaming quality.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Internet services across Somalia and parts of East Africa were disrupted after an undersea fibre-optic cable broke in the Red Sea, the National Communications Authority (NCA) said Sunday.
The outage, caused by a rupture in the Pakistan & East Africa Connecting Europe (PEACE) Cable, led to slower internet speeds and reduced streaming quality across the country. The PEACE Cable is a key internet infrastructure that connects East Africa to Europe and Asia.
In response, Somalia’s telecommunications providers rerouted traffic through backup networks, restoring services to near-normal levels, according to the NCA. However, complete repairs on the damaged cable could take until mid-April 2025.
The NCA assured the public that it is working closely with internet service providers (ISPs) to monitor service quality and resolve any technical issues during the repair period.
Internet disruptions caused by undersea cable damage have become a recurring issue in the region, with previous incidents in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean impacting connectivity. Industry experts say such disruptions highlight the vulnerability of Africa’s internet infrastructure and the need for additional redundancy measures.
The NCA has urged telecom operators to maintain open communication with regulators and swiftly implement mitigation plans to prevent further service degradation.
Source: www.hiiraan.com
