Alcatel-Lucent has signed a turnkey contract with the Libyan International Telecommunication Company (LITC) to build a new 1,000 kilometre undersea cable linking the capital Tripoli with Benghazi.
The move is aimed at providing broadband connectivity to boost the Libyan economy, as the country looks at reviving its telecoms infrastructure, more than US$1 billion worth of which was destroyed during the civil war in 2011 which eventually unseated Muammar Qaddafi.
The companies said the undersea cable system would play a “critical role” in reconstructing this infrastructure for business, public sector and consumer applications, with the cable set for completion by mid-2015.
“Broadband connectivity is a major growth opportunity for the foreseeable future and the development of a robust telecommunication infrastructure is vital,” said Dr Mohmoud Aujali, chairman of LITC. “With the help of Alcatel-Lucent, our new submarine cable system promises a significant contribution the overall developments that are being undertaken to improve standard of living for Libyans.”
The system will be based on Alcatel-Lucent‘s 100 gigabytte technology and a cable optimised with coherent submarine fibre.
Philippe Dumont, president of Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks, said: “We are pleased to support LITC in delivering this major network transformation in support of the country’s efforts in reconstructing its telecom infrastructure. Strengthening connection with the global digital community, Alcatel-Lucent’s innovative solution will help LITC promote growth opportunities for economic, cultural and educational activities.”
HumanIPO reported last month Alcatel-Lucent is to upgrade the 10,000 kilometre Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) which runs from Sudan to South Africa, increasing its speeds to up to ten terabytes per second.
EASSy is owned and operated by a group of 17 international and African shareholders, all of whom are telecommunications operators or service providers.
Landings for the cable are located in Port Sudan, Djibouti, Mombasa in Kenya, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Moroni in the Comores, Toliary in Madagascar, Maputo in Mozambique and Mtunzini in South Africa.
Alcatel-Lucent will again be deploying its 100 gigabyte per second cable technology.
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