A marine vessel caused damage to ENet's Essequibo fiber optic cable, disrupting internet and TV services along the Essequibo Coast, while mobile services remain operational.

Incident Overview

The fiber optic cable under the Essequibo River, installed in July 2021 to enhance connectivity along the Essequibo Coast, was damaged by a marine vessel, resulting in service interruptions for internet and television subscribers in the affected region. Mobile services were not impacted, allowing continued cellular communication . The incident prompted an immediate response, with an overseas repair team mobilized to restore the cable.

Cause and Context

Despite detailed electronic maps marking underwater cables for navigation, tug and barge operations were observed near ENet's cable, leading to the damage. This is part of a broader pattern of infrastructure vulnerability in Guyana, as similar incidents have affected other utility companies, including GTT and GPL, with submarine cables across the Demerara River being damaged by oil and gas contractor activities . The increased marine traffic in the region, driven by construction and resource extraction, poses ongoing risks to critical infrastructure.

Restoration Efforts

ENet has committed to full restoration of internet and TV services along the Essequibo Coast. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and the company is working to minimize inconvenience to subscribers while ensuring the cable is repaired safely . The government and private sector continue to emphasize the importance of adherence to navigation guidelines to protect critical infrastructure.

Broader Telecommunications Context

Guyana's telecommunications network includes multiple submarine fiber optic cables, such as the Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System, Americas II, and the X-Link Submarine Cable connecting Guyana to Barbados, as well as ENet's recent submarine cable to Bartica, which provides gigabit-speed internet to the hinterland . The liberalization of the sector since 2020 has increased competition, expanded connectivity, and improved resilience, allowing operators to use alternative routes if one cable is damaged . However, incidents like the Essequibo cable cut highlight the ongoing vulnerability of critical digital infrastructure to marine and construction activities.

Impact

The disruption primarily affects internet and television services for residents and businesses along the Essequibo Coast, potentially impacting education, commerce, and public services. Restoration is underway, and mobile connectivity remains unaffected, providing a partial communication lifeline during the outage .