Airtel Telesonic, the wholesale arm of Airtel Africa, has successfully activated the initial phase of the 2Africa submarine cable system, connecting Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.
This milestone marks a significant stride towards enhancing connectivity across the African continent, 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.
Collaborative Efforts and Industry-Leading Technology
Airtel Telesonic achieved this milestone through a strategic partnership with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), an industry leader in optical submarine networks deployed worldwide. ASN showcased its expertise by implementing its latest cutting-edge SLTE platform (PSI-SUB) on the 2Africa subsea cable network.
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The 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.
This cutting-edge technology empowers Airtel Telesonic to provide enhanced connectivity solutions across the region.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Africa
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 the 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.”
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ASN’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Paul Gabla, also commented on the partnership: “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 across the continent.
