The National Telecommunications Commission of Sierra Leone (NatCA) has announced that ongoing repairs to the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) fiber optic cable are causing significant internet service disruptions. The repairs, which began on May 31, 2024, have affected Sierra Leone and several other West African countries, leading to widespread delays and connectivity issues.

Initially, the repair work was expected to be completed by the end of May. However, unforeseen complications have extended the timeline. The next phase of repairs is scheduled to take place on June 1, 2024, starting at 00:01 UTC and expected to conclude by 12:00 UTC. 

In response to the extended disruptions, Zoodlabs, the company managing the cable's operations, has implemented alternative traffic routing measures. To mitigate the impact on internet services in Sierra Leone, they have rerouted traffic through a single circuit to Cape Town. Despite this measure, two out of the three main circuits will still be affected, leading to reduced speeds and potential delays, though a complete outage will be avoided.

"We understand the inconvenience this may cause and have advised our clients accordingly," stated a Zoodlabs representative. "Our team is available to assist clients and resolve any issues as quickly as possible."

NatCA and Zoodlabs have reassured the public that every effort is being made to restore full connectivity. They are committed to providing regular updates as the situation develops and have encouraged users to reach out for support if they encounter any issues.

The ACE cable is a crucial infrastructure component, linking multiple countries along the West African coast to Europe, and any disruptions can have far-reaching implications for communication and business operations in the region. The ongoing repair efforts underscore the importance of maintaining and upgrading this essential service to ensure reliable internet connectivity for all affected nations.

For further updates and assistance, affected users are encouraged to stay in contact with their service providers and monitor announcements from NatCA and Zoodlabs.