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Telecoms giant BT has today announced that they’ve secured a state-aid supported £26m contract under the UK Government’s £5bn Project Gigabit programme, which will see them connect over 650 primary schools in hard-to-reach (rural) places across England with gigabit broadband using full fibre technology. In case anybody has forgotten. In March 2022 the government pledged […]

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According to HGC Global Communications, the damage has disrupted around a quarter of data traffic travelling through the volatile region

This week, official statements from Hong Kong-based HGC Global Communications have confirmed that three submarine cable systems – the Asia-Africa-Europe 1, the Europe India Gateway, and the Seacom-TGN-Gulf systems – have been severed in the Red Sea.

The cables carry large volumes of data traffic from Asia to Europe, much of which is currently being rerouted over 11 neighbouring submarine systems.

According to HGC, the damage impacts roughly 25% of data traffic passing through the Red Sea.

Processes related to repairing the cables are reportedly already underway, though these are likely to take a number of weeks, particularly given the ongoing conflict in the local area.

Exactly what has caused the damage to the cables has yet to be revealed – indeed, it is hard to ascertain the causes of cable damage before the cables have been dredged up for repairs – though there are fears that it could deliberate sabotage by the Houthi rebels currently attacking Western shipping operations nearby.

At the end of last year, Houthi-linked media published a map showing the local submarine cable systems, along with ambiguous messaging that could hint at the infrastructure being a potential target for attack.

However, the Houthi rebels deny sabotaging the cables, instead blaming the increased Western naval presence for the disruption.

“The hostilities on Yemen by the British and U.S. naval military units caused a disruption in the submarine cables in the Red Sea, which jeopardized the security and safety of international communications and the normal flow of information,” said a statement from Yemen’s Transportation Ministry, which is currently under Houthi control.

Submarine cables being severed is, in fact, a fairly common occurrence, with cables typically being damaged by becoming entangled in trawling nets or on a ships anchor.

Deliberate attacks on submarine infrastructure are incredibly rare, requiring both knowledge of the cable’s precise location as well as the case to disrupt the cables sometimes hundreds of metres beneath the surface.

While the submarine cables near Yemen’s coastline are, in places, only around 100 metres deep, the chances of them being specifically targeted by the rebels seems slim, particularly given the local military presence throughout the area.

Want to keep up with all the latest submarine cable news from around the world? Join the experts in discussion at Submarine Networks EMEA, the world’s largest submarine telecoms conference

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Broadband ISP Ogi, which is deploying a multi-Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to premises across parts of South Wales, has today announced an expansion of their high street presence to more locations – this reflects an ongoing partnership with the ‘Get Connection’ retail chain. A 500Mbps tier is also on special offer. In case anybody […]

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SpaceX boss Elon Musk has conducted another live test of Starlink’s future global Direct to Cell (DtC) mobile roaming service using a regular unmodified Android-based Samsung smartphone, which managed to deliver a 4G based mobile broadband download speed of 15.6Mbps to 17.2Mbps. Starlink currently has 5,549 LEO satellites in orbit around the Earth (altitudes of […]

Mobile network operator giffgaff has today launched a cheaper 18-month “Good Contract” unlimited data (mobile broadband) tariff, which is now available for only £25 per month (previously £35). The update also benefits more than 12,000 existing customers on the old plan, automatically reducing their bills by £10 a month. The new plan includes all of […]

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Construction on the new semiconductor plants will begin in the next 100 days 

India has approved the construction of three semiconductor plants worth 1.26 trillion rupees ($15.2 billion), as the country aims to become an electronics global leader and decrease its reliance on chips from abroad. 

The announcement of the project ties into the “Make in India” initiative, which was launched in 2014 to transform India into a global hub for design and manufacturing. 

The first of the plants will be built in Dholera, Gujarat, by a partnership between Tata Electronics and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, with the companies jointly investing almost $11 billion. The new plant will focus on mature 28nm technology, which is widely used in industries such as automobiles, consumer electronics, and defence. 

The second plant will be set up in Morigaon, Assam, with an investment of $3.26 billion by Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd. This site, by contrast, will focus on “indigenous advanced semiconductor packaging technologies including flip chip and integrated system in package technologies” in the automotive, electric vehicles, and electronics industries. 

India’s third plant will be built in Sanand, Gujarat via a nearly $1 billion investment from a partnership between CG Power, Japan’s Renesas Electronics Corporation, and Thailand’s Stars Microelectronics. This plant will also produce chips for consumer, automotive, and power applications. 

“This is a big decision for the country and a key accomplishment towards making India a self-dependent country,” Indian Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Reuters. 

“India already has deep capabilities in chip design. With these units, our country will develop capabilities in chip fabrication. Advanced packaging technologies will be indigenously developed in India,” read a government statement. 

India, who does not yet have a chip making plant, estimates that its semiconductor industry will be worth $63 billion by 2026, rivalling that of market leader Taiwan.  

It is estimated that the three plants will create a total of 80,000 jobs–20,000 in advanced technology and 60,000 indirect positions. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter  

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NEWS

Fastwyre Broadband, a leading provider of high-speed and affordable fiber optic networks across the United States, has invested $65 million to enhance networks and expand into Louisiana regions. Formerly Cameron Communications, the company, with roots dating back to 1928, has evolved to revolutionise internet accessibility as Fastwyre Broadband.

Moss Bluff, Cameron Parish, Carlyss, and other Louisiana areas will benefit from internet speeds ranging from 2 to 10 gigabits per second, surpassing nearby city hubs.

CEO Chris Eldredge emphasises the commitment to delivering top-tier connectivity at affordable rates, aligning with the company’s deep-rooted history and pride in Louisiana.

“Our deep-rooted history in Louisiana, dating back to 1928 when our predecessor company ‘Cameron Communications’ was founded, fills us with immense pride as we continue to serve residents and contribute to the growth of businesses in this vibrant region. This connection drives our investment of over $65 million to expand and fortify our fiber optic infrastructure to digitally empower local communities for decades into the future.”

The investment focuses on fortifying fibre optic infrastructure to digitally empower local communities. Fastwyre’s reliable network, featuring symmetrical speeds, no data caps, and affordable bundles, caters to residential and business needs, fostering community support. The company stands at the forefront of innovation, investing in a rapidly growing, state-of-the-art fibre network, with a commitment to serving communities in need of enhanced connectivity.

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