Damaged fiber optic cable in Madagascar

The EASSy undersea fiber optic cable off Madagascar's southwest coast is damaged, disrupting internet service for millions while repairs are underway.

Incident Overview

Madagascar's connectivity has been significantly affected due to damage to the EASSy (Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System), a major undersea fiber optic cable that provides high-capacity internet access to the island nation. The damage occurred at a depth of 2,600 meters, approximately 38 kilometers offshore from Toliara, impacting service for around 3 million clients. Telma Madagascar, the local telecom operator, reported the outage and is prioritizing business customers, schools, and critical websites during the repair process .

Causes of Fiber Optic Cable Damage

Fiber optic cables, while durable, are fragile and sensitive to physical stress. Damage can occur due to:

• Mechanical stress: improper handling, bending beyond the minimum radius, or accidental impact during installation or maintenance .
• Environmental factors: natural events such as earthquakes, underwater currents, or storms can sever or crush cables .
• External interference: fishing activities, ship anchors, or construction near coastal areas can accidentally cut cables . In the case of the EASSy cable, the exact cause has not been specified, but undersea cables are generally vulnerable to both natural and human-induced mechanical stress .

Repair Process and Timeline

Repairing undersea fiber optic cables is complex and requires specialized equipment. For the EASSy cable:

• Equipment and parts are being shipped from Cape Town, South Africa.
• Repairs are conducted in stages, with full restoration expected to take approximately 15 days from the start of the outage .
• Technicians use fusion splicing or plastic splicing to reconnect the fiber cores, ensuring minimal signal loss and restoring connectivity .

Impact on Connectivity

The outage has caused intermittent or complete internet service disruption for residential and business users. Critical services, including schools and commercial operations, are prioritized, but general users are advised to use alternative communication methods until repairs are complete . Such outages can also have economic repercussions, as fiber optic networks are essential for digital commerce, banking, and telecommunication services .

Future Considerations

Madagascar's reliance on a single primary undersea cable highlights the vulnerability of its internet infrastructure. Proposed projects like Africa-1 and IOX aim to provide additional redundancy and improve resilience, but these are still in development . In summary, the damaged EASSy cable has temporarily disrupted Madagascar's internet connectivity, with repairs expected to take about two weeks. The incident underscores the importance of robust infrastructure, careful handling, and contingency planning for undersea fiber optic networks.