The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has raised alarm over the increasing number of fibre optic cable cuts, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the stability of the nation’s fibre infrastructure. The Chamber has called for urgent action from the government and key stakeholders to address the issue, which is leading to frequent network disruptions and diminished quality of service across the country.
In response to the growing problem, the Chamber has launched a national campaign titled “Save Our Fibre,” aimed at raising public awareness about the critical role fibre optic cables play in the country’s telecommunications network. The campaign seeks to educate both the public and relevant stakeholders about the importance of preserving this infrastructure, which supports essential services like internet connectivity and communication, and drives Ghana’s digital transformation.
A statement issued by Louis Bobbie Osei, Regulatory and Research Manager of the Chamber, expressed concern over the rising frequency of fibre cuts, noting that swift, collaborative action is needed to safeguard the national fibre backbone. The Chamber revealed that in the first half of 2024 alone, there were 5,133 reported fibre cuts across the country, resulting in the telecom industry spending GHS 118 million on repairs.
“These funds, which could have been used to expand and enhance services, had to be diverted to fix damaged networks,” the statement explained, highlighting the financial burden caused by these disruptions.
The Chamber emphasized the significance of fibre optic cables as a key component of modern telecommunications infrastructure. Fibre technology allows for faster data transmission, real-time communication, and greater reliability, making it the preferred medium for high-bandwidth applications and services. It is particularly valued for its ability to provide secure and interference-resistant data transmission.
However, despite being buried underground or strung overhead for protection, fibre cables in Ghana are frequently damaged, leading to a degradation in service quality. The Chamber noted that these cuts result in network congestion, poor call quality, slow internet speeds, and, in some cases, complete service outages.
“This situation is unacceptable and undermines the significant investments made by telecom operators to deliver reliable services,” the Chamber stated.
In light of these challenges, the Chamber acknowledged ongoing efforts to address the issue. It has been actively engaging with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, road agencies, utility companies, and other key players involved in construction and excavation activities that often lead to fibre cuts. The Chamber has also been participating in National Engineering Coordinating Team meetings to push for greater collaboration to protect telecom infrastructure during such projects.
However, the statement highlighted that despite these efforts, some entities involved in damaging fibre infrastructure have remained uncooperative, continuing to cause harm to critical telecom assets. This has directly impacted service quality, leading to customer frustration due to outages and interruptions.
As a result, the Chamber is ramping up its efforts to address the issue, including seeking the support of the police and judiciary to prosecute those responsible for recurring fibre cuts. It has also urged its members to consider legal action against individuals and entities that refuse to cooperate in safeguarding fibre infrastructure.
The “Save Our Fibre” campaign is also designed to inform the public about how fibre cuts affect the quality of telecom services. The campaign will publicly identify construction projects responsible for damaging fibre optic cables and highlight the communities affected by the resulting service disruptions. Regular updates will be provided on social media platforms to keep the public informed about ongoing efforts to repair damaged networks.
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality telecom services for all Ghanaians. “We will continue working tirelessly with all stakeholders to protect our nation’s telecom infrastructure and hold those who undermine it accountable,” the statement concluded.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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