[kictanet] Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Sea Pirates delay SEACOM launch

[Muriuki Mureithi]

FYI
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From: Abi <abi.jagun at gmail.com>
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Sent: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:47:13 +0300 (EAT)
Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] Sea Pirates delay SEACOM launch

Source: http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=2815

Sea Pirates delay SEACOM launch

June 24, 2009 in Broadband

SEACOM_brian2.jpgThe increase in pirate activity during April and May
2009, both in terms of intensity and geographical coverage,
necessitated a change in SEACOM’s cable installation plans which
resulted in a delay in the ready for service date from 27 June 2009 to
23 July 2009. The planned route required the ship to transit an area
of increased pirate activity where other ships had been attacked or
seized.

The cable deployment in the troublesome waters has since been
completed and splicing to connect the section of cable from Mumbai to
Africa is expected shortly. Testing of the larger cable system will be
finalised shortly thereafter. The cable section from South Africa
(Mtunzini) to Kenya (Mombasa), including all south and east African
landing stations, has already undergone successful testing.

In the meantime, SEACOM is working with its contractor, Tyco
Telecommunications, to find ways of accelerating the outstanding works
and bring forward the ready for service date ahead of 23 July 2009.

Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO, said: “Due to sensitivities around piracy
issues, their impact on the project timeline was only fully
established recently and whilst I am personally truly disappointed by
the delay, it was imperative that strong measures be put in place to
guarantee the successful completion of the cable system and the safety
of the ship and its crews.

“This setback should however be seen against the herculean efforts
made by the team to see this project come to fruition over an
incredibly tight schedule of only 18 months. We remain extremely
excited and look forward to witnessing the huge difference that
affordable, high quality and plentiful bandwidth will have throughout
eastern and southern Africa.“
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