Equinix’s MainOne has successfully secured additional capacity on the Equiano subsea cable, a strategic move to enhance its network’s redundancy and reliability. This acquisition aims to fortify MainOne’s infrastructure following significant disruptions caused by undersea landslides in 2023 that damaged multiple cables in West Africa.
What is the Equiano Subsea Cable?
The Equiano subsea cable, which spans over 15,000 kilometers, connects several countries across Africa, Europe, and the Atlantic. Launched in 2022, this advanced cable network links Namibia, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Saint Helena, and Togo, offering high-speed internet and improved connectivity across the region. This strategic infrastructure enhances the reliability of data transmission between Africa and the global network, a key asset for operators like MainOne.
Why MainOne Chose to Secure Capacity on Equiano
The decision to acquire capacity on the Equiano cable comes in response to significant network disruptions that affected several subsea cables in March 2023. A landslide off the coast of West Africa caused damage to four key subsea cables, including MainOne, SAT-3, ACE, and WACS. As a result, many businesses faced service interruptions and slowdowns.
By integrating Equiano into its network, MainOne enhances its overall network resilience, ensuring that customers continue to experience high service levels during such disruptions. This move aligns with MainOne’s commitment to business continuity and reliable connectivity in the face of unforeseen challenges.
How Equiano Enhances MainOne’s Network
Oluwasayo Oshadami, Director of Solutions Architects at MainOne, highlighted that the integration of Equiano would simplify network management for customers. “Our customers can remain focused on the core of their business operations, not on the intricacies of managing multiple networks, fail-overs, or resilience,” Oshadami explained. With Equiano’s capacity, MainOne eliminates the complexities of handling multiple cable connections, providing end users with a seamless, more reliable network experience.
What Does This Acquisition Mean for Customers?
For MainOne’s customers, this acquisition translates into a more robust and secure network. With the added redundancy from Equiano, businesses will experience fewer interruptions, especially during events like cable damage. MainOne assures that its customers can depend on its network to maintain critical operations, without the constant worry of service disruptions.
The capacity from Equiano will bolster MainOne’s existing infrastructure, including its data centers across West Africa, located in Nigeria, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. The recent expansion of the Ivory Coast facilities further strengthens MainOne’s commitment to providing cutting-edge infrastructure for businesses in West Africa.
The Role of Equinix in MainOne’s Expansion
Equinix acquired MainOne in 2021, positioning the company as its West Africa unit. Since then, Equinix has worked on expanding and enhancing the regional capabilities of MainOne, ultimately rebranding it under the Equinix name in late 2023. Under the leadership of Wole Abu, Equinix’s expansion into West Africa continues to address the increasing demand for reliable digital infrastructure in the region.
What Are the Implications for West African Connectivity?
The added capacity from the Equiano subsea cable is a significant step in improving West African connectivity. Equinix’s MainOne plays a crucial role in bridging the digital divide by offering services that cater to enterprises, telecommunications providers, and international cloud platforms. By securing more capacity on the Equiano cable, MainOne further solidifies its position as a leader in African digital infrastructure.
The Impact of Undersea Cable Outages in West Africa
The March 2023 undersea landslide highlighted vulnerabilities in West African subsea cable systems. The damage to multiple cables forced many operators to scramble for alternative routes and backup solutions. This event underscored the critical need for diversified network infrastructure to ensure continuous service delivery.
By securing additional capacity on Equiano, MainOne mitigates the risk of future outages, offering customers a more resilient and dependable network.
FAQ Section
1. What is the Equiano subsea cable?
The Equiano subsea cable is a 15,000 km undersea cable system connecting Africa, Europe, and the Atlantic. It aims to provide enhanced broadband access and improved internet connectivity to the African continent.
2. How will securing capacity on Equiano benefit MainOne’s customers?
Securing additional capacity on Equiano provides MainOne’s customers with enhanced network redundancy and resilience, ensuring continuity of services even during network disruptions caused by events like undersea cable damage.
3. How did the March 2023 undersea cable outages affect West Africa?
The outages, caused by a landslide off the coast of West Africa, disrupted several critical cables, including MainOne, ACE, WACS, and SAT-3. This resulted in slowdowns and interruptions for businesses relying on these cables for internet and data connectivity.
4. What is the role of Equinix in MainOne’s operations?
Equinix acquired MainOne in 2021 and has since rebranded it under the Equinix name. Equinix’s expertise in global data center operations strengthens MainOne’s offerings in West Africa, expanding the company’s reach and capabilities.
5. Where does the Equiano cable land?
The Equiano subsea cable lands in several countries, including Namibia, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Saint Helena, and Togo, providing enhanced connectivity across these regions.
