Airtel Telesonic, the wholesale arm of Airtel Africa, has announced the activation of the 2Africa Submarine Cable System, marking a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity across the African continent.
The initial phase of activation connects Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, heralding a new era of high-speed, reliable internet access.
The 2Africa Cable System is one of the largest subsea projects globally, designed to interconnect Africa, Europe and Asia.
This activation is part of a broader initiative to deliver faster and more resilient internet services, supporting digital transformation across Africa.
Airtel Telesonic achieved this milestone with its partnership with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), an industry leader in optical submarine networks deployed worldwide. ASN can offer turn-key solutions utilising the latest technology in subsea infrastructure and transmission capacity.
Speaking on the partnership, P D Sarma, CEO of Airtel Telesonic, expressed enthusiasm: “The activation of the 2Africa submarine cable is a monumental step in our mission to bridge the digital divide in Africa.
Regarding the partnership, Paul Gabla, ASN’s chief sales and marketing officer, said, “ASN is very pleased to support Airtel with our cutting-edge SLTE equipment on the 2Africa Cable System. This partnership underscores our dedication to continuing the fast delivery of world-class SLTE technological solutions.”
Also, Airtel has announced that Network International (Network), the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has been appointed its payment processor.
Airtel’s statement yesterday indicated that the collaboration is set to drive its continuous provision of cutting-edge mobile services across the continent and beyond.
“By partnering with Network International, Airtel Africa will be well-equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital finance, drive innovation and deliver unparalleled value to its users and stakeholders,” the statement added.
Network International’s expertise spans 50 countries, including 40 in Africa, serving over 200 financial institutions and facilitating more than 1.6 billion transactions.