Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have apologised to users for network outages caused by damage to multiple submarine cables along the West African Coast.

The undersea cable cuts were linked to Yemen’s Houthi rebels’ attacks on the Red Sea.

The appeal was made in a statement signed by Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and Gbolahan Awonuga, executive secretary of ALTON.

Mr Adebayo said on behalf of its members, it wished to assure users of communication services that repair processes were ongoing by the responsible international service providers.

A combination of cable cuts resulted in equipment faults on major undersea cables along the West African Coast.

The issue negatively impacted data and fixed telecom services in several West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.

The cuts occurred somewhere in Ivory Coast and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal.

Cable companies such as West African Cable System (WACS) and African Coast to Europe (ACE) in the West Coast route from Europe have experienced faults, while SAT3 and MainOne have downtime.

Mr Adebayo said the development had impacted data and internet service delivery by some of its members.

“We highly regret any inconveniences caused by the damage to the submarine fibre optics cable on the international waterways.

“We seek for your continuous understanding on behalf of our members,” he said. 

(NAN)