How many fiber optic cable lines are there in Cameroon

Cameroon has approximately 15,812 kilometers of terrestrial fiber optic cables and is connected to five major submarine fiber optic cables.Terrestrial Fiber NetworkAs of late 2023, Cameroon's terrestrial fiber optic network spans 15,812 kilometers, including fiber acquired from Eneo Cameroon and previously deployed lines by the national operator Camtel . This network covers the country's ten regions, 51 of its 58 divisions, and 209 of the 260 targeted districts, with a focus on urban and institutional areas . Plans are underway to expand the network by an additional 3,500 kilometers starting in 2024, particularly targeting rural areas to improve connectivity and digital inclusion .Submarine Fiber Optic CablesCameroon is connected to five international submarine fiber optic cables: SAT3, WACS, ACE, SAIL, and NCSCS . These cables link Cameroon to global internet infrastructure and neighboring countries, providing international bandwidth. However, much of this capacity remains underutilized, with reports indicating that only about 15% of SAT3 and 30% of WACS capacity has been used since their launch . The ACE cable landing station is still pending construction, which limits full utilization .Coverage and UtilizationDespite the extensive fiber deployment, a significant portion of the population still lacks access. In 2020, roughly 14 million people, over half of Cameroon's population, had no fiber access . The underutilization of submarine cables and gaps in terrestrial coverage highlight the ongoing “fiber gap,” particularly in rural and underserved areas . Efforts by Camtel and partnerships with companies like MTN GlobalConnect aim to improve commercialization and usage of these fiber assets .SummaryTerrestrial fiber: 15,812 km (with 3,500 km planned expansion)Submarine cables: 5 (SAT3, WACS, ACE, SAIL, NCSCS)Coverage: Most urban areas and institutional centers; rural areas still underservedUtilization: Submarine cables underused; ongoing efforts to increase broadband penetration and reduce the fiber gap This combination of terrestrial and submarine fiber lines forms the backbone of Cameroon's digital infrastructure, supporting both national connectivity and international internet access.