SAFE

Overview

The SAFE (South Africa Far East) submarine cable is a major intercontinental telecommunications system spanning 13,500 kilometers. It was officially ready for service in 2002 and serves as a critical link connecting Africa, Asia, and island nations in the Indian Ocean. The cable is owned and operated by a consortium of six entities: AT&T, Angola Telecom, BICS, Camtel, China Telecom, and Chunghwa Telecom. SAFE plays a vital role in supporting international voice, data, and internet traffic across its route, enhancing connectivity between its landing points and beyond.

SAFE is part of a broader network of submarine cables that facilitate global communications, but its specific route through the Indian Ocean makes it uniquely important for connecting regions that historically faced challenges in accessing high-capacity telecommunications infrastructure. The cable's establishment has been instrumental in bridging digital divides and fostering economic and technological collaboration among the regions it serves.

Route and Landings

The SAFE submarine cable connects six landing points across three continents and several island nations, traversing the Indian Ocean. Its route begins in South Africa, where it lands at two points: Melkbosstrand, near Cape Town, and Mtunzini, located further north along the eastern coast. These landings serve as gateways to the African continent, linking South Africa to the broader global telecommunications network.

From South Africa, the cable extends across the Indian Ocean to the islands of Mauritius and Réunion. In Mauritius, the landing point is at Baie Jacotet, while in Réunion, the cable connects at Saint Paul. These island nations benefit significantly from the cable, as it provides a reliable link to international markets and supports local digital economies.

Further east, the cable connects to Penang in Malaysia and Kochi in India. Penang serves as a key telecommunications hub in Southeast Asia, while Kochi is a strategic landing point on India's southwestern coast, providing connectivity to one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies. The SAFE cable's route is carefully designed to maximize connectivity across these diverse regions, enhancing communication and data exchange between Africa, Asia, and the Indian Ocean islands.

Ownership and History

The SAFE submarine cable is owned and operated by a consortium of six telecommunications companies: AT&T, Angola Telecom, BICS, Camtel, China Telecom, and Chunghwa Telecom. Each member of the consortium brings unique expertise and resources to the operation and maintenance of the cable, ensuring its reliability and performance. The collaboration of these companies reflects the cable's importance as a shared infrastructure asset that supports global connectivity.

SAFE was commissioned and became operational in 2002, marking a significant milestone in the development of international telecommunications infrastructure. Its deployment addressed critical gaps in connectivity across the Indian Ocean region, providing high-capacity links that were previously unavailable. Over the years, the cable has undergone periodic upgrades to meet growing demand for bandwidth and to support advancements in telecommunications technology.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the SAFE submarine cable provides valuable insights into its performance. We have measured 213 distinct corridors along the cable's route, reflecting its extensive reach and operational complexity. The best round-trip time (RTT) recorded is 0 milliseconds, indicating near-instantaneous data transmission in certain segments. However, the average RTT across all measured corridors is 311 milliseconds, a figure that reflects the cable's intercontinental scope and the distances involved.

The performance metrics of the SAFE cable highlight its effectiveness in supporting international communications, even over vast distances. The cable's ability to maintain consistent connectivity and low latency is crucial for the regions it serves, enabling seamless data exchange and supporting a wide range of applications, from internet services to cloud computing. These measurements underscore the cable's role as a backbone for digital infrastructure in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.