Abuja — Phase 3, the provider of transmission and IP services using the aerial fibre optic transmission, has expanded her network to cover the Republic of Benin and Togo.

This development came as Phase3 last week, executed an exclusive right of way concession agreement with the Communauté Electrique du Benin (CEB), the authority responsible for the operation of high voltage power lines in both Benin and Togo Republics, signed by Mr Djibril Salifou, Director-General of CEB and Mr. Stanley Jegede, CEO of Phase3. Phase3's network now becomes the longest regional terrestrial fiber network, linking Nigeria to the Republic of Benin and Togo, with potentials for connections to Ghana and Burkina Faso from Togo. By this development, Phase3 becomes the first regional fiber optic cable network provider in West Africa to operate national fiber optic cable backbone interconnecting six West African countries.

Phase3 has commenced with the expansion of the aerial national infrastructure in the two countries to extend their current combined length of fiber from 600km to over 3,000km within the next few months.

This infrastructure targets existing regional telecommunication service providers currently operating in these countries, as well as the transmission needs of operators who plan to interconnect with operators in Togo and Benin. This also positions Phase3 as the infrastructure provider for the distribution of broadband services to various locations in these countries.

Phase3's aerial infrastructure in Nigeria is deployed on the 330kV and 132kV high voltage lines; whilst aerial infrastructure in Togo & Benin are deployed on 161kV high voltage lines.

The regional network will be equipped with state-of-the-art 10G DWDM systems providing multi services platform for all carriers for layer 1 and layer 2 operations.

This great feat is a major step in achieving the implementation of the Intelcom II programme of ECOWAS, which aims at developing, modernising, coordinating & standardising the telecommunication network of Member States and a fulfillment to the partnership between ECOWAS and Phase3.

A partnership geared towards collaborating to provide cross border telecommunication infrastructure in ECOWAS member states, as well as drive down the all-time high cost of telecommunication services to consumers. This will further enhance redundancy on the transmission cable network, from which all telecommunication operators and internet service providers in the region can immediately benefit.

Phase3 is indeed bringing to reality the regional vision to distribute IP capacities across the West African region with its unique aerial network.

It is also placed at the forefront of achieving the "CONNECT AFRICA" crusade of the ITU. This is an initiative of the InternationalTelecommunications Union (ITU), which aims at bridging the major gaps in information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure across the African region, with a bid to enhancing affordable connectivity, and improving provision of telecommunications applications and services to stimulate economic growth, employment and development throughout Africa.