The government of Cameroon is funding the installation of the country's first wholly-owned submarine cable which is being installed by Huawei Marine Networks Co. Ltd. (Huawei Marine).

The project is called the Nigeria-Cameroon Submarine Cable System (NCSCS) and spans about 1,100 km, directly linking Kribi in Cameroon with Lagos in Nigeria. When completed, it will deliver 12.8 Tbps of capacity to broadband users in both countries by the end of 2015.

Jean-Pierre Biyiti bi Essam, Cameroon's the minister of Posts and Telecommunications, said the government of Cameroon has embarked on putting in place the necessary facilities to boost the demand and supply of services in quality, in quantity and at affordable prices, as well as to increase telecommunications universal access and universal service.

He said: "The installation of the NCSCS further demonstrates the willingness of the Government to implement a true broadband infrastructure development policy throughout Cameroon's national territory."

Biyiti bi Essam added that the NCSCS system is part of Cameroon's broader strategic plan for building a National Broadband Network. "The implementation of this submarine cable system will significantly enhance the development of e-government, e-trade, e-education and e-health programs and boost the economic and commercial development of Cameroon."

Also commenting, David Nkoto Emane, general manager, Cameroon Telecommunications Corporation (CAMTEL), said the NCSCS system will provide new opportunities and further the development of our network in both domestic and international markets.

"The NCSCS system enables us to provide users with faster bandwidth connectivity at a significantly lower cost. By providing direct connection to Nigeria, the cable system will also serve to enhance Cameroon's position as the major bandwidth hub in the region and internationally to Europe and beyond," he said.

The project is utilising Huawei Marine's Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM) and Optical Transport Network (OTN) technologies; the NCSCS also incorporates the world's first titanium-cased six-fiber pair repeater.

Mike Constable, chief executive officer, Huawei Marine, said, "We are proud to have achieved this important milestone and excited to be entering into the marine installation phase of this landmark project that will bring all-important connectivity to Cameroon and the region. Huawei Marine is leading the industry in delivering innovative products. This project represents the culmination of years of research and development and a rigorous qualification regime associated with our second-generation repeater which enhances our network solutions to the ultimate benefit of our customers."