[UgaBYTES] SEACOM service date postponed to 23rd July 2009

[Sandra Nassali]

The increase in pirate activity during April and May 2009, both in terms of
intensity and geographical coverage, necessitated a change in SEACOM’s cable
installation plans which resulted in a delay in the ready for service date
from 27 June 2009 to 23 July 2009. The planned route required the ship to
transit an area of increased pirate activity where other ships had been
attacked or seized.

The cable deployment in the troublesome waters has since been completed and
splicing to connect the section of cable from Mumbai to Africa is expected
shortly. Testing of the larger cable system will be finalised shortly
thereafter. The cable section from South Africa (Mtunzini) to Kenya
(Mombasa), including all south and east African landing stations, has
already undergone successful testing.

In the meantime, SEACOM is working with its contractor, Tyco
Telecommunications, to find ways of accelerating the outstanding works and
bring forward the ready for service date ahead of 23 July 2009.

Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO, said: “Due to sensitivities around piracy issues,
their impact on the project timeline was only fully established recently and
whilst I am personally truly disappointed by the delay, it was imperative
that strong measures be put in place to guarantee the successful completion
of the cable system and the safety of the ship and its crews.

“This setback should however be seen against the herculean efforts made by
the team to see this project come to fruition over an incredibly tight
schedule of only 18 months. We remain extremely excited and look forward to
witnessing the huge difference that affordable, high quality and plentiful
bandwidth will have throughout eastern and southern Africa.“

www.seacom/nu/news

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Sandra Nassali
Community Facilitator
UgaBYTES Initiative (www.ugabytes.org)
Telecentre.org  (www.telecentrecommunity.ning.com)
Plot 2218 Ggaba Road,
2nd Floor Kangave House
P.O. Box 6081 K'la
Email  snassali at ugabytes.org
chat    (skype)- n.sandra.
Tel      +256-414-370163