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Telecommunication Submarine- Cable Deployment and the Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Joël CARIOLLE

    (Ferdi)

Abstract

This paper estimates the impact of fiber-optic submarine cables (SMCs) deployment on the digital divide in 46 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. It shows that the laying of SEACOM, MainOne and EASSy cables has yielded a 3-4% point increase in internet penetration rates. Moreover, it also shows that the reduction in landlocked countries’ digital isolation, following the laying of SMCs, has boosted Internet access and reduced telecommunication disruptions. Finally, it stresses that the arrival of SMCs may increase countries’ vulnerability to SMC faults, by showing how SMCs exposure to seismic risk lowers Internet and mobile penetration rates, and increases telecommunication disruptions.

Suggested Citation

  • Joël CARIOLLE, 2019. "Telecommunication Submarine- Cable Deployment and the Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers P241, FERDI.
    • Handle: RePEc:fdi:wpaper:4628
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    Cited by:

    1. Joël Cariolle & Maelan Le Goff & Olicier Santoni, 2019. "Digital vulnerability and performance of firms in developing countries," Working papers 709, Banque de France.
    2. Shane Greenstein, 2020. "Digital Infrastructure," NBER Chapters, in: Economic Analysis and Infrastructure Investment, pages 409-447, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Joël Cariolle & Michele Imbruno & Jaime de Melo, 2020. "Bilateral digital connectivity and firm participation in export markets," Working Papers hal-03182438, HAL.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F02 - International Economics - - General - - - International Economic Order and Integration
    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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