Namibian optical cable damaged

Namibia has experienced significant disruptions to both terrestrial and submarine optical cables, affecting internet and telephone services, with repairs ongoing.

Terrestrial Cable Damage

Recent heavy rains and lightning have caused damage to fibre-optic and copper cables in several areas, including Windhoek, Gobabis, Summerdown, and Katutura. In Windhoek, a major cable feeding Hochland Park, Windhoek West, and Southern Industria left around 3,000 customers without telephone service, while floodwaters damaged a cable servicing 800 customers in the Avis area. The Grysblok bridge washout also severed a copper connection to Katutura, and lightning damaged stations between Otjinene and Omitara. Additionally, 15 telephone poles between Karibib and Usakos were replaced due to storm damage. Telecom Namibia and other operators have restored most services, but these events highlight the vulnerability of Namibia's terrestrial network to natural hazards .

Submarine Cable Damage

Namibia's international internet connectivity relies heavily on the West African Cable System (WACS) and the SAT-3 submarine cable. In August 2023, the WACS cable suffered damage off the coast between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, likely due to subsea rock slides in the Congo Canyon. This affected Telecom Namibia's access to Points of Presence (PoPs) in Europe, although traffic was rerouted through alternative undersea paths to mitigate service disruption. Repairs were scheduled to be completed by September 2023, with the process involving a consortium including Telecom Namibia. Maintenance and repair of WACS are costly and complex, but Namibia has invested in backup links to reduce the impact on users .

Causes and Challenges

Cable damage in Namibia arises from both natural and human factors. Heavy rains, floods, and lightning can physically sever cables, while copper theft and vandalism remain persistent issues, particularly in remote or low-surveillance areas. Copper theft not only disrupts services but also imposes high repair costs and economic losses for businesses and households. Operators are exploring solutions such as replacing copper with fibre, deeper burial, concrete ducting, and active monitoring systems to detect tampering .

Mitigation and Service Continuity

Telecom operators, including MTC and Telecom Namibia, have implemented rerouting strategies and backup infrastructure to maintain service during cable outages. These measures help limit downtime and ensure continuity for critical sectors like education, commerce, healthcare, and communication. Regular maintenance, monitoring, and community reporting are also part of ongoing efforts to protect both terrestrial and submarine networks .

Summary

Namibia's optical cable network has faced disruptions due to natural events and infrastructure theft, affecting thousands of users. While repair efforts and rerouting strategies have restored most services, the incidents underscore the importance of resilient infrastructure, proactive maintenance, and investment in backup systems to safeguard national and international connectivity .