Update 6: Undersea Cable Disruptions Affect Data Services

28^th March, 2024: The National Communications Authority (NCA) wishes to provide an update on the repair to the damage of the submarine cables which occurred on 14^th March, 2024, and resulted in the disruption of data services in Ghana.

The NCA has engaged with the four (4) Submarine Cable Service Providers (SAT-3, ACE, WACS and MainOne) to receive updates on the progress of the repair works; they indicated that two (2) vessels would be involved in the repair works as follows:

1. SAT-3 reported that their repair vessel set sail on 19^th March, 2024, from Cape Town, South Africa and that the vessel is expected to be within the vicinity of the fault area on 29^th March, 2024. Repair work will begin immediately.

SAT-3 expects that the repair works will be completed by the second week of April, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

• MainOne, WACS and ACE reported that they are working together and have jointly commissioned a repair vessel. This second repair vessel set sail from London, UK, on 24^th March, 2024 and is enroute to the first point of call by 8^th April, 2024. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the expected time of restoration of the cables would be 9^th May, 2024 as per the schedule below:
• ACE – to be completed by 17^th April, 2024
• WACS – to be completed by 28^th April, 2024
• MainOne – to be completed by 9^th May, 2024

The general public is reminded to note that these dates are tentative and that the Authority will issue an update in the event of new developments.