Rwandatel switches to satellite as SEACOM failure takes its toll

Rwandan businesses that rely on the internet have been adversely affected by the recent failure of SEACOM’s undersea cable, with some businesses switching operators to stay afloat.

“We initially thought it was a minor and temporary breakdown but it persisted, that is why we opted to change to another ISP”, said one of the country’s Internet café owners, who claimed he had lost clients since the Seacom breakdown on Sunday.

The operator switched from Rwandatel to another service provider, hoping it would get its clients back.
According to Rwanda’s publication The New Times, Rwandatel’s Chief Technical Officer, Basilio Sadandi, said he had received various complaints from customers about the internet failure.

“The breakdown of the fibre cable leaves us with one option of using one channel of satellite that’s why our clients are facing slow Internet”, he said. The company said that the contract with Seacom nullified their agreements with two other satellite providers.

Rwandatel said it would set up anther satellite link, while upgrading the existing one in a bid to address the problem and would examine other options.

“We have another option of connecting to the TEAMS cable which comes through Tanzania via Burundi to Kigali. This means that after the connection, we will have multiple options and our clients will be enjoying the opportunities we will be availing them”, he said.

Repairs to the SEACOM under sea cable started 25 April and are schedule to be completed today, 30 April 2010. It was reported that the breakdown occurred when a ship damaged the undersea cable. As a result many African countries connected to the cable have been affected.

SEACOM is the largest fiber optic cable carrier along the Indian Ocean coast. Since its launch, African countries have experienced higher bandwidth capacity and a significant drop in bandwidth prices.