|

The study, which will include an environmental and social impact assessment, is seen as a major step towards boosting internet and phone connections with the rest of the world.

Principal secretary for information communications technology (ICT) Benjamin Choppy handed over the contract documents yesterday to the French consultancy firm Axiom, which has been chosen to carry out the study.
Michel Rouilleault, Axiom’s senior consultant on the study, accepted the contract from Mr Choppy during a short ceremony at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort.

Axiom is one of the oldest and most highly reputed firms in the submarine cable business.
Addressing representatives of the Seychelles Cable Systems (SCS) company, officials from the Department of ICT, the Ministry of Finance, the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the country’s four telecommunication companies, Mr Choppy said such a study is required before any submarine cable project can be started and is a must before interested parties can invest.

He said the study will provide answers to the main questions that remain unanswered – such as what the best cable route solution for Seychelles is, and to what extent the project is commercially viable.

The study has been made possible through a grant from the African Development Bank.
Thanking all partners for their support and hard work, Mr Choppy called for the collaboration of all telecommunication companies operating in Seychelles to ensure the result of the study is accurate and credible.

Mr Rouilleault said Axiom, with its partners, its team of engineers and construction experts, aims to match Seychelles’ expectations with the quality of its work.
The study is expected to be completed by early next year.