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EASSyEasterm Africa Submarine Cable System
PROJECT SUMMARY
Simon Olawo
EASSy PROJECT SECRETARIAT
Overview
1. Introduction2. Background3. Project Overview 3.1 Key Technical Features 3.2 Capital Requirements 3.3 Project Status 3.4 Key Milestones 3.5 Way Forward4. Contacts
Eastern Africa Submarine System
Toliary
Durban
1. Introduction
The Eastern Africa Submarine System (EASSy) cable project will establish a fiber optic undersea cable system connecting the region with the rest of the world.
A commercially viable, robust and reliable undersea cable will provide the owners with significant opportunity to benefit directly from international traffic.
International traffic is expected to grow substantially as a higher quality, more reliable, and lower cost undersea system offsets the limitations of traditional satellite communications.
2. Background
The project is driven by 15 telecommunications entities from 13 countries of Eastern Africa region.
The telecommunications entities are from South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Botswana, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia.
Other countries in the region as well as key global carriers are expected to eventually participate in the project.
Background cont.
EASSy will link to the global submarine cable network through other regional undersea systems including SAT3, SAFE, SEA-ME-WE 3 and SEA-ME-WE 4.
EASSy will provide the last link to completely encircle Africa by high capacity optic fibre telecommunications networks.
The project has broad based support from the telecommunications industry, business community, and regional governments.
Background cont.
NEPAD has identified EASSy as a priority project for the enhancement of ICT infrastructure in the region.
The regional governments believe that a robust and reliable international telecommunications link will have significant benefits for the citizens of the region in the following ways:-
Stimulating investment and economic growth, Providing a more reliable international
communications,
Background cont.
Will result in competitive prices for international connectivity
The above objectives support the government’s ultimate goal of reducing poverty and increasing economic opportunity for its citizens and in their efforts to facilitate the attainment of the UN millennium development goals.
EASSy promises a new era of better quality services at reduced operational costs and user charges.
3. Project Overview
The Cable system will connect Mtunzini, located just north of Durban, in South Africa to Port Sudan, in Sudan a distance of about 9,900Km.
Other eight landing stations are planned for Maputo - Mozambique, Toliary - Madagascar, Dar-Es-Salaam – Tanzania, Zanzibar – Tanzania, Mombasa – Kenya, Mogadishu – Somalia, Djibouti – Djibouti, and Massawa – Eritrea.
SAT-3/WASC
SAFE
SEA ME WE 3
20
Global Connectivity
EASSy
Zanzibar
Malaba
Backhaul links to EASSy Cable
Germany
Portugal
Brazil
Senegal
South Africa
EgyptMalaysia
Australia
Japan
SEA-ME-WE-4 (35Countries)
SAFE(5 Countries)
ATLANTIS-2(6 Countries)
SAT-3 / WASC(11 Countries)
56 Countries
56 Countries
India
EASSy
(15 Countries)
Strategic Global Coverage
3.1 Key Technical Features
System length about 9,900 km Based on Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
Technology (DWDM) Direct Optical Amplification Technology Additional feeder network through repeater-less
festoon systems, if required 2 fibre pair system configured as a collapsed ring Proposed ultimate capacity per fiber pair
16 or 32 wavelengths at 10 G bit/s Total capacity of 320 or 640 G bit/s
Initial equipage: 1 or 2 wavelengths per fiber System design life of 25 years.
3.2 Capital Requirements
Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) and initial indications from system suppliers estimate project cost at between US$150 - 200 Million
Based on the PFS and the refined initial traffic study, the consortium believes the project is financially viable.
MOU parties have provided an indication that an amount of about 65% of estimated project costs may be available from the parties themselves for equity investment in EASSy.
Initial traffic studies indicate that the returns are sufficient to attract the interest of potential debt and equity sponsors.
Capital Requirements cont.
The Consortium has engaged the services of a consultant to carry out the detailed technical, financial and commercial study to authenticate the above findings. Results of the study will be available Feb 05.
The project’s Financial &Commercial Working Group on the basis of the minimum investment indications from MOU Parties (and in consultation with other stakeholders) is mandated to carry out the followings tasks:-
Establish the funding gap (tentative position by end of November 2004)
Recommend investment incentives and capacity pricing to encourage investment by parties beyond their identified individual needs for EASSy
Capital Requirements cont.
Recommend most appropriate investment and ownership structure to ensure funding of the project with due regard to the interest of key stakeholders.
Carry out marketing activities to potential and eligible investors within and outside the region
Retain the services of a financial consultant to advise on the availability of financing, investment structure, investment incentives, etc
Seek guidance from the detailed feasibility study (DFS) results.
3.3 Project Status
Preliminary feasibility study completed.
MOU signed by eleven (15) parties.
MOU Parties have formed Project Management Committee (PMC) to manage the project.
PMC has constituted two main Working Groups, Interim Procurement Group (IPG) and the Financial and Commercial Group (F & CWG) to carry out its mandate.
3.3 Project Status cont.
Project successfully launched at an international Sub Optic 2004 conference/exhibition in Monaco France early this year.
Workshop with system suppliers successfully held in Kampala 23-29 June 2004.
World Bank/IFC, French Development Agency and Development Bank of South Africa extended a grant for the detailed feasibility study.
PMC is in the process of appointing a financial advisor/legal counsel.
PMC is also seeking for project management services to better manage the consortium.
3.4 Project Milestones
Sign MOU Q4 2003 Agree on Configuration Q4 2004 Issue Invitation to Tender Q4 2004 Financial Closing Q1 2005 Sign Supply Contract & C&MA Q4 2005 Cable RFCS Q2 2007
3.5 Way Forward and Critical Elements to meet milestones
Appointment of Financial Adviser/ legal counsel for the parties
To define and implement project structure To carry out road show to financiers
through Information Memorandum To provide vital link to the finance and legal
community of all players To advise process for implementation on
the finance and legal elements To enhance the consortiums ability to
succeed
3.5 Way Forward and Critical Elements to meet milestones cont.
Appointment of independent Project Management team
Provide independent and dedicated support To enhance overall credibility for financing To work in tandem with all parties allowing macro
management and synchronization of all activities.
4. Contacts
Project Secretariat Simon A. Olawo Telkom Kenya, Telposta Towers, 24th Floor,
Kenyatta Av. P.O Box 30301, GPO, Nairobi Kenya TEL: +254 20 316167, FAX: +254 20 310104, E-mail: [email protected]
Project Coordinator John Sihra TEL: +353 1 668 5205, FAX: +353 1 660 4840 Mob: : +353 87 259 3966 E-mail: [email protected]
• Website www.eassy.org
THANK YOU
