ASCON Seeks Collaboration with NCC Towards Protection of Submarine Cables in Nigeria

Association of Submarine Cable Operators of Nigeria (ASCON) is seeking the partnership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) towards the protection of submarine fibre optic cables as critical infrastructure in the telecom industry.

The Association noted that the cost of repairing damage to submarine cables was huge and could range from $1million to $3million to repair a single fault.

Mr. Ifeloju Alakija, who led members of the association on a visit to the NCC, said it had become necessary for the regulator to intervene in ensuring that submarine cables are protected from damages resulting from external aggressions occasioned by human maritime activities that impact the seabed such as ship anchoring, dredging and harmful fishing practices like bottom trawl fishing etc.

Alakija also noted that over the years, the five operators of submarine cable in the country had collectively experience a total of 13 damages to their submarine cable infrastructure.

“We are seeking areas of possible collaboration with NCC towards achieving solutions to the challenges within the submarine cable segment of the Telecoms industry.

“We would also be happy to hear your perspectives on some of the key issues regarding the management, operations and protection of submarine cable infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure in Nigeria.

“In Nigeria we have the benefit of having five of such cables landing on our shore and delivering over 40 terabytes of internet traffic capacity. These cables are the SAT3 cable, MainOne cable, Glo1 cable, ACE cable, and WACS cable, landed by Natcom, MainOne, Glo 1, Dolphin Telecom and MTN,” Alakija said.

He said most of the damages were caused by fishing and shipping activities, dredging and trawling among others, while challenges of unapproved new pipeline installations, unguided maintenance of pipelines and revamping of unused old blocks also affect the operations of the sector.

He assured that the association would further partner with other regulators and associations such as Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NipeX), Shippers Council, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), and Trawlers Association of Nigeria (TAN) to address the challenges facing the sector.

The NCC said the Federal Government and the Commission  were taking the issue of infrastructure very seriously to address the challenges as telecom infrastructure remain critical to the socio-economic development and transformation of the country.

Oluwatoyin Asaju, director of Special Duties, said the NCC would not only partner ASCON, but also fast-track the process and procedures for legislations that would ensure the protection of submarine cables.