INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling
2Africa deployment underway with first landing in Genoa , Italy
The 2Africa consortium , composed of China Mobile International , Meta ( www . Facebook . com ), MTN GlobalConnect , Orange , stc , Telecom Egypt , Vodafone and WIOCC , have announced the first landing of the 2Africa cable – in Genoa , Italy .
The landing sets the tone for more landings in the coming months as the cable is extended to a total of 46 locations by the completion of the project in 2024 .
Announced in May 2020 , the 2Africa subsea cable system together with its Pearls extension is designed to deliver seamless international connectivity to approximately 3 billion people , representing 36 % of the global population and connecting three continents , Africa , Europe and Asia .
At 45,000km , it will be the longest subsea cable ever deployed , serving communities that rely on the Internet for services from education to healthcare and business , with all experiencing the economic and social benefits that come from this increased connectivity .
Vodafone , the 2Africa landing party in Genoa , has partnered with Equinix to land the cable directly into the Equinix Carrier Neutral Data Centre ( CNDC ), with Retelit delivering the fronthaul .
As with all 2Africa cable landings , capacity will be available to service providers in Genoa on a fair and equitable basis , encouraging and supporting the development of a healthy Internet ecosystem .
Working with a local Italian operator , 2Africa has also developed a new terrestrial route connecting the Genoa cable landing station ( CLS ) directly to major CNDCs in Milan .
Good progress on the survey work and manufacturing continues with the 2Africa project remaining on track for completion in 2024 . p
AT 45,000KM , IT WILL BE THE LONGEST SUBSEA CABLE EVER DEPLOYED .
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