Chinese manufacturer Huawei is set to begin work on 4,000 kilometers, or almost 2,500 miles, of fiber optic cable in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, a project that is expected to take two years.
The cables will bring high-speed Internet access to most of Guinea's people, according to a statement from the Guinean presidency.
"The development of a robust telecommunications infrastructure is vital to the future of Equatorial Guinea," said Guinea Ministry of Transport head Olo Bahamonde in a statement.
The project itself is costing $238 million and will begin this weekend, with Guinea becoming the first country in West Africa to have such extensive Internet coverage.
The extended Internet coverage could be instrumental in helping Guinea get back on its feet after facing extensive economic and health-related challenges over the last few years. The country is the largest exporter of bauxite in Africa, but Guinea has seen a $6 billion hit to the economy after a decline in commodities prices. Not only that, but it has also been hit by the West African Ebola epidemic, which has seen the death of 11,000 people in the region.
The fact that Huawei is the one that will head the project is certainly interesting considering it is better known as a consumer device maker, although along with Huawei Marine Networks it has three major business groups and a strong research and development division. Apart from its smartphones, Huawei has been making waves in the wearable industry of late, having announced the pricey Huawei Watch, which runs on Android Wear and is considered by many to be one of the better-looking Android Wear devices on the market. It is recognizable for its round watch-face, much like the Motorola Moto 360.
It seems as though this announcement is an extension of a previous contract made between Huawei and the Guinean government. Previously the division, a global submarine cable networks provider, was contracted to lay down 290 kilometers, or around 180 miles, of fiber optic cabling that would link Malabo, Guinea's capital, to Bata, its economic hub.
"It is our privilege to support the government of Equatorial Guinea by enhancing their international connectivity though the latest high-speed submarine cable infrastructure," said Huawei Marine Networks executive Mike Constable. "Huawei Marine's leading-edge solutions continue to be the preferred choice of governments, carriers and private sector partners providing critical telecommunications solutions and value to regions around the world."
The people of Guinea will certainly welcome access to high-speed Internet, and hopefully will be able to take advantage of everything that it has to offer to boost the Guinean economy.
