China’s Huawei builds submarine cable to link Nigeria and Cameroon

Huawei Marine Networks Co. Ltd, a global submarine network provider, says it has started marine installation of the Nigeria-Cameroon Submarine Cable System (NCSCS), a submarine cable linking the two West African nations.

According to Huawei, the NCSCS is Cameroon’s first wholly-owned submarine cable with investment provided by the Cameroon Government.

Spanning approximately 1,100 km, the NCSCS will directly link Kribi in Cameroon with Lagos in Nigeria, delivering 12.8 Tbps of capacity to broadband users in both countries by the end of 2015, the Chinese company says.

Presiding over the installation ceremony, Jean-Pierre BIYITI bi ESSAM, Cameroon’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications says that “the Government of Cameroon has embarked on putting in place the necessary facilities to boost the demand and supply of services in quality, in quantity and at affordable prices, as well as to increase telecommunications universal access and universal service”.

“Spanning approximately 1,100 km, the NCSCS will directly link Kribi in Cameroon with Lagos in Nigeria, delivering 12.8 Tbps of capacity to broadband users in both countries by the end of 2015″ Huawei Marine Networks

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria

The installation of the NCSCS further demonstrates “the willingness of the Government to implement a true broadband infrastructure development policy throughout Cameroon’s national territory”, the Cameroon’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications adds.

The NCSCS system forms part of Cameroon’s broader strategic plan for building a National Broadband Network. The implementation of this submarine cable system will significantly enhance the development of e-government, e-trade, e-education and e-health programs and boost the economic and commercial development of Cameroon.

Mr. David NKOTO EMANE, General Manager, Cameroon Telecommunications Corporation (CAMTEL) adds that “the NCSCS system will provide new opportunities and further the development of our network in both domestic and international markets.

According to CAMTEL, the NCSCS system “enables us to provide users with faster bandwidth connectivity at a significantly lower cost. By providing direct connection to Nigeria, the cable system will also serve to enhance Cameroon’s position as the major bandwidth hub in the region and internationally to Europe and beyond.”

According to the undersea cable installation company, NCSCS will utilising Huawei Marine’s Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM) and Optical Transport Network (OTN) technologies while the cable system will also incorporates the world’s first titanium-cased six-fiber pair repeater.

“Huawei Marine’s second generation RPT 1660 represents a substantial advancement in innovation as it is not only the smallest repeater but also 40% lighter than any other optical amplifier. The slim-line titanium casing supports enhanced burial capability through simultaneous lay and burial beneath the seabed which reduces both marine installation costs and associated system risk”, the company says.

“We are proud to have achieved this important milestone and excited to be entering into the marine installation phase of this landmark project that will bring all-important connectivity to Cameroon and the region. Huawei Marine is leading the industry in delivering innovative products. This project represents the culmination of years of research and development and a rigorous qualification regime associated with our second- generation repeater which enhances our network solutions to the ultimate benefit of our customers” Mr. Mike Constable, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Marine, adds.