MTN is promoting AI-driven fibre cut sensing to reshape the resilience of digital infrastructure in Africa

MTN is promoting AI-driven fibre cut sensing to reshape the resilience of digital infrastructure in Africa. (Image: Huawei)

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MTN is deploying an innovative technology capable of automatically detecting fiber-cut threats and predicting when physical disruptions may impact its fiber Internet network, significantly reducing the time required to dispatch technicians and resolve issues.

Telecommunications operators frequently experience service disruptions caused by fiber cuts. Challenges such as third-party excavation, road maintenance activities, and other construction work continue to pose significant risks to fiber infrastructure.

To address these challenges, MTN and Huawei successfully completed a proof of concept in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, validating a fiber sensing solution capable of detecting subtle vibrations around fiber ducts. 

The solution leverages AI to classify vibration events and identify potential third-party intrusion threats. As a result, field teams can be alerted and dispatched to the site before fiber cut happens due to excavation work, enabling proactive protection of critical fiber assets.

Long-term trials conducted since 2025 have demonstrated that the solution’s advanced predictive capabilities can significantly reduce the occurrence of fiber cut incidents. In addition, it helps accelerate fault diagnosis and repair, substantially shortening the time required to locate and restore damaged fiber infrastructure, which previously took approximately six hours.

At the same time, MTN is accelerating the evolution of fiber fault management from automation toward autonomy. 

Powered by AI copilots and intelligent agents, and enabled through collaborative intelligence across the device, network, and service layers, MTN is building a next-generation agent-driven network architecture. 

This framework establishes closed-loop autonomous capabilities throughout the entire network lifecycle and paves the way toward a sustainable, scalable, and highly autonomous network operating model.

MTN is considering deploying this technology on its critical links to enhance the reliability of its fiber infrastructure.

This initiative complements MTN’s broader artificial intelligence strategy, which aims to integrate AI deeply into both network operations and service delivery. By leveraging AI-centric network solutions, MTN is helping reshape Africa’s digital future and positioning the continent at the forefront of technological innovation.