Telcos Urge Caution as Coastal Highway Construction Threatens Vital Submarine Cables

Barely two days after Multichoice alerted subscribers to a planned three-day technical downtime, telecommunications companies have voiced apprehension over potential connectivity disruptions as construction progresses on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The ongoing construction project poses a significant threat to telecommunication infrastructure, particularly as the corridor serves as a critical landing point for multiple submarine cables connecting Nigeria to Europe.

Telecom giants, including DStv and GOtv owner Multichoice, have acknowledged the anticipated impact of the highway construction on their uplink facilities. However, broader concerns have been raised by telcos regarding the essential role of telecommunication services and the potential for technical disruptions.

The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway corridor is integral to international communications and data transmission, hosting vital submarine cables such as the West Africa Cable System (WACS), MainOne, Glo1, ACE, and NCSCS.

Approved by the Federal Executive Council in February, Phase One of the ambitious project tasked Hitech Construction Company Limited with connecting Lagos to Cross River, traversing coastal states and facilitating economic development.

Despite the urgency of infrastructure development, telcos stress the necessity of stakeholder consultations with the Ministry of Works to address potential risks and implement robust mitigation measures.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, highlighted the lack of engagement from the Ministry of Works on environmental impact assessment, expressing concerns over the potential disruption to submarine cables within the construction corridor.

Efforts to engage the Federal Government have been initiated, with the Nigerian Communications Commission facilitating dialogue. However, telcos emphasize the need for caution from the construction firm to prevent damage to critical national infrastructure.

In a joint statement, ALTON and ATCON underscored the importance of protecting assets and network infrastructure, urging the government to designate telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure.

Telcos warn that service disruptions not only incur significant financial losses but also hinder socioeconomic growth, particularly amid Nigeria’s security challenges. With investment in the sector declining and operating costs rising, the industry seeks government support to maintain quality service delivery.

Meanwhile, Multichoice subscribers have demanded compensation for the anticipated service downtime during the relocation of uplink facilities. Despite assurances from the pay-TV operator, customers express dissatisfaction over potential interruptions and call for transparent measures to address the inconvenience.

As construction on the Lagos-Calabar highway progresses, stakeholders in the telecommunications sector advocate for proactive measures to mitigate disruptions and safeguard connectivity essential for national development.