Angola Cables, a pivotal player in the internet connectivity landscape of Africa, has announced a significant upgrade to the two subsea cables that serve as a vital link between Africa and North America. This initiative, which involves advanced equipment from the US networking group Ciena, is designed to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the Monet and SACS (South Atlantic Cable System) cables, tailoring them for the growing demands of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) companies.
The importance of these cables cannot be understated. They form a direct route from Africa to the US and Brazil, significantly impacting the digital economy of the region. With this upgrade, Angola Cables aims to bolster the ability to carry more data, reflecting the increasing demand for high-capacity networks driven by emerging technologies and digital applications.
Understanding the Cables in Context
The SACS cable, wholly owned by Angola Cables, spans a remarkable 6,165 kilometers, reaching from Sangano in Angola to Fortaleza in northeastern Brazil. Operational since September 2018, it holds the distinction of being the first transatlantic cable system to traverse the southern hemisphere.
In contrast, the Monet cable extends 10,556 kilometers, linking Boca Raton, Florida, to Fortaleza, and further down to Praia Grande near Santos, Brazil. Monet, co-owned by Angola Cables, Google, Brazil’s Algar Telecom, and Uruguay’s Antel, has been facilitating data transmission since late 2017, establishing itself as a crucial artery for internet traffic.
The upgrades to the existing infrastructure do not involve laying new cables; instead, Angola Cables plans to install cutting-edge Ciena equipment. This installation will include Waveserver hardware that utilizes Ciena's WaveLogic 6 Extreme optical technology, thereby maximizing the utility of the existing fiber optic cables beneath the ocean.
Transformational Improvements in Capacity
Among the most noteworthy enhancements to the Monet cable is its new capability to support client connections of 800 Gbit/s, which references the individual links available for sale to customers. This upgrade promises to make the network's capacity more flexible, catering specifically to the increasing requirements of hyperscalers and cloud providers. The flexibility offered allows customers to purchase bandwidth ranging from a modest 100 Gbit/s link to an entire fiber pair, enabling varied solutions for businesses depending on their needs.
“Our submarine cable systems are a critical digital bridge connecting Africa with the Americas, offering a diverse and secure route between these continents,” said Angola Cables CTO Adriano Caldevilla. “Demand from hyperscalers and cloud providers continues to accelerate.”
Fernando Capella, Ciena’s regional director, echoed this sentiment, stating,
“Demand for AI, cloud services and digital applications is accelerating the need for higher-capacity, more intelligent networks.”As businesses and individuals increasingly rely on expansive data capabilities, uninterrupted connections between continents become crucial for fostering innovation and economic growth in the digital landscape.
A Brief History and Future Potential
The collaboration between Angola Cables and Ciena dates back to 2017 when Angola Cables first selected Ciena as its technology partner for the Monet subsea cable system. This partnership has continued to evolve, with Angola Cables previously enhancing Monet’s capacity by 2.2 Tbit/s using Ciena’s WaveLogic Ai technology in 2021. Experience and expertise accumulated throughout these years are now being leveraged to push the connectivity capabilities even further.
Angola Cables also plays a role as a landing party for the West Africa Cable System (WACS), which lands in Yzerfontein on South Africa's West Coast. This positioning allows South African traffic to be routed to the Americas through Angola and Brazil rather than European pathways. Such strategic routing is especially critical, as delays often arise in international internet traffic due to congestion and technical issues on certain routes.
Impact on Internet Latency and Connectivity
The operational launch of SACS provided significant improvements to internet latency, reducing the response time between Cape Town and Miami from a concerning 338 ms to an impressive 163 ms. This elevated performance illustrates the importance of reliable and efficient internet connectivity for businesses and consumers alike in both regions.
A real-world example of the capabilities of these oceanic cables was when the SACS system demonstrated resilience in March 2024. A seismic event off Côte d’Ivoire caused severe disruptions to WACS and other cables located along the West African coast, leading to widespread issues in internet services across South Africa. Fortunately, data traffic was swiftly rerouted through the SACS and Google’s Equiano system, showcasing the robustness of the alternate paths designed to uphold connectivity even amidst crises.
Conclusion: Looking Towards the Future
As Internet usage continues to rise globally, especially across developing nations in Africa, the upgrades to the subsea cables linking these countries to the United States and Brazil are crucial. The increasing demands for cloud services, AI, and other digital technologies underscore the necessity of maintaining a resilient and capable infrastructure to handle future growth.
With the deployment of advanced technologies by Angola Cables in partnership with Ciena, the digital connective fabric between continents is becoming stronger, flexibly equipped to meet burgeoning demands.
As further upgrades and expansions in these infrastructures unfold, the implications will be significant not only for commercial enterprises but also for individuals, government institutions, and educational bodies across Africa, enabling a connected world driven by technology, innovation, and collaboration.
The journey for efficient internet connectivity is ongoing, and with it, the promise of digital transformation remains on the horizon.
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