Disrupted Data Services Being Restored As Repair Works Begin on Damaged Undersea Cables, Says NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Saturday said repair works have commenced on the undersea cable cuts resulting in equipment faults on the major undersea cables along the West African Coast on Thursday.

However, Glo 1, which is owned by Globacom, the largest provider of digital services in Nigeria, was untouched by the damage and is still running as usual. 

The incident negatively impacted data and fixed telecoms services in several countries of West Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Cote d’Ivoire, among others, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said.

Meanwhile, the NCC has urged developers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to be transparent and to consider consumers’ trust when developing devices that have to do with consumer rights protection and privacy.

NCC in a statement said operators of these cables have commenced repairs already, and services are gradually being restored.

The NCC said the cuts occurred somewhere in Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal.

“Cable companies – West African Cable System (WACS) and African Coast to Europe (ACE) in the West Coast route from Europe have experienced faults while SAT3 and MainOne have downtime. 

“Similar undersea cables providing traffic from Europe to the East Coast of Africa, like Seacom, Europe India Gateway (EIG), and Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE1), are said to have been cut at some point around the Red Sea, resulting in degradation of services across on these routes.

“In Nigeria and other West African countries, Internet access and speed have experienced disruptions in the networks of service providers in the affected countries,” the NCC explained.

Meanwhile, Glo 1, which is owned by Globacom, the largest provider of digital services in Nigeria, was untouched by the damage and is still running as usual. 

Glo 1-powered financial institutions, internet service providers, and data consumers have all carried on with business as usual. 

Industry observers are of the view that Glo 1 International Submarine Cable’s resilient construction and durability are the reasons the damage did not compromise the cable.

In another development, the NCC has urged developers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to be transparent and to consider consumers’ trust when developing devices that have to do with consumer rights protection and privacy.

The NCC Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Aminu Maida gave the advice during the celebration of World Consumer Rights Day, in Abuja with the theme “Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Consumer” 

He enjoined developers of AI systems that have to do with consumers to be transparent in developing problem-solving solutions that will enable issues to be traced, and mistakes corrected.

Maida who was represented by the NCC Executive Commissioner, Technical Services Designate, Abraham Oshadami, said AI developers must be transparent to make sure that consumers trust the outcome of AI in transactions.

“AI developers need to be transparent about the data, algorithms, and models used in AI systems. This ensures that decisions made by AI can be explained and mistakes can be fixed to ensure everyone is treated fairly, regardless of their background. 

“This helps prevent biased decisions or discrimination thereby promoting inclusivity and equality.

 “Protecting citizens’ privacy is extremely important when using AI. Organisations should handle personal data responsibly, following strict privacy regulations. Respecting privacy builds trust in AI systems,” he said.

According to him, for consumers not to doubt AI solutions, “responsible AI requires mechanisms for holding systems accountable and explaining their decisions. Consumers should understand how AI systems work and have a way to address issues or biases.”

He noted that the regulatory challenges come with AI, adding that “developing regulations and policies to govern AI deployment can be complex and as well as playing catch up due to technological advancements.” 

“Although most Legislative and governing Bodies are looking to regulate this technology, there has been a continuous struggle to strike the right balance between risk mitigation and stifling innovation, while promoting innovation and ensuring security and trust. 

“In this era that has seen the rise of AI and IoT cybersecurity, it is important to break silos and foster collaboration of the Quadruple Helix Innovation model comprising of the Academia, the industry, government, and society to share ideas. 

AI developers and regulators have to ensure AI system algorithms consider ethics and inclusivity.

“However, as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into various aspects of society; so, they bring forth a complex web of legal and regulatory challenges,” the EVC said.

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole

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