Allexer Namundjebo
Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has confirmed that three of its internet links through the West African Cable System (WACS) will be affected by ongoing maintenance.
To keep services running smoothly, MTC has rerouted internet traffic through backup channels.
The WACS maintenance, set to run from June 1 to 16, includes repairs, upgrades, and technical checks on the 14,000-kilometre undersea fibre-optic cable that connects several African countries to Europe.
WACS is a key part of Namibia’s international internet connection. Although such maintenance is routine, it may lead to slower internet or brief disruptions in areas that rely on the cable.
Tim Ekandjo, MTC’s Chief Brand, Marketing, Communications and Sustainability Officer, said the company has invested in backup links and alternative infrastructure to limit customer impact.
“Its landing station in Swakopmund connects it to key urban centres, serving as a main conduit for internet traffic. With increasing demands on internet infrastructure across sectors such as education, commerce, healthcare, and communication, temporary downtimes can have varying effects depending on the strength of backup systems,” he said.
MTC says its rerouting plan has helped avoid major interruptions. Its technical teams remain on standby to monitor performance and resolve any issues that may arise.
“WACS maintenance is a regular occurrence, and we’re well-prepared to manage service quality during such periods,” Ekandjo added.
The WACS cable was built at a cost of US$600 million.
Namibia and Botswana jointly invested around US$75 million in the cable.
Maintenance on WACS is not new.
In April 2022, the cable was taken offline for routine upgrades.
In August 2023, scheduled work affected internet speeds in Namibia.
MTC and other providers used backup systems, but some users in remote areas still experienced slower service.
Damage to both WACS and SAT-3 cables in January 2020 caused major internet slowdowns across Southern Africa.
The disruption lasted for days and exposed the region’s reliance on a single system for international connectivity.
Industry experts say this current maintenance is a chance to test the strength of Namibia’s existing systems.
They also say the country should invest in more diverse infrastructure to avoid over-reliance on WACS.
Suggestions include using satellite internet, connecting to other submarine cables, like Google’s Equiano, and building stronger fibre networks that link to international landing points in Angola and South Africa.
Experts have also called for more regional internet exchange points and local data centres.
These would reduce Namibia’s reliance on external connections and help limit the effects of outages or maintenance on systems like WACS.
MTC says the current maintenance is expected to end by 16 June.
