US digital services company Google announces the upcoming deployment of a new underwater fiber optic system between Africa and Europe. The new telecom infrastructure Equiano will enable Google to strengthen its global offering of connectivity services for businesses and individuals.
According to Google, “Equiano will be the first submarine cable to integrate optical switching at fiber pairs, rather than the traditional approach of wavelength switching.”
The company reveals that it has entrusted the achievement of this new telecom investment to Alcatel Submarine Networks, signing a contract in the fourth quarter of 2018.
The first phase of the project, linking South Africa to Portugal, is expected to be completed in 2021. Then follow the connection of Nigeria and many other African nations.
Fully funded by Google, Equiano is the company's third largest private underwater fiber optic system and the 14th in which the company invests money. $47 billion were already spent over the last three years by Google for strengthening its telecom capabilities.
