East Africa, the world’s largest populated coastline cut-off from the global fibre-optic network finally joins the bandwagon, as it prepares to kick off the first phase of operations in October this year.

The new 9,300 miles long submarine cable will cost around £322 million to install, and will connect 21 countries including Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania and Kenya before joining the international grid in France and India on the eastern half of Africa to each other and to the world.

The move is expected to bring about a significant change in the communications network across East Africa, a region that otherwise depends on expensive satellite connection, making the continent one of the most expensive for internet access and phone calls.

The network is expected to be operational by June 2009.