Land-Based Network to Bypass Red Sea Risks

Dec 8 , 2024

Ethio telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel Telecom have joined forces to launch the Horizon Fiber Initiative, a groundbreaking project that aims to establish a terrestrial fiber-optic network connecting Djibouti, Ethiopia and Sudan. This ambitious initiative seeks to provide a more reliable alternative to the submarine cables in the Red Sea, which have been plagued by frequent disruptions caused by conflicts, natural disasters, sabotage and general degradation. The damage has resulted in prolonged internet outages and significant repair costs for Ethio telecom, ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 dollars. A technical glitch in February resulted in a 1.5-million-dollar repair bill and a four-month outage. By establishing a land-based network, the three telecom companies hope to enhance the reliability of internet services and provide a redundant communication link connecting Africa to Europe and Asia overland. The signees seek to finalize the contract by the end of January and commence services by April. The first phase of the project, expected to be completed by April 2025, will deliver a capacity of one terabit. The new fiber lines are projected to have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.