bbc.com
Repair Ship Keeps Africa Online
The Léon Thévenin, a specialized repair ship with over 50 engineers, maintains Africa's internet connectivity by repairing damaged undersea cables, preventing widespread outages that impact millions across the continent, as evidenced by the multiple significant outages in 2024.
- What is the significance of the Léon Thévenin's role in maintaining internet connectivity in Africa?
- The Léon Thévenin, a ship the size of a football field with over 50 engineers and technicians, repairs underwater internet cables around Africa, a vital service highlighted by last year's outages affecting millions from Lagos to Nairobi. These outages caused widespread disruption to communication and banking, underscoring the ship's critical role in maintaining internet connectivity.
- What are the primary causes of damage to undersea internet cables, and how do these impact internet access across the continent?
- Damage to the cables, often caused by human activity like improperly dropped anchors and fishing trawlers, or natural events like extreme weather, can lead to significant internet disruptions. The Léon Thévenin's crew can repair cables at depths exceeding 5000 meters, rerouting traffic to prevent widespread outages.
- What are the potential future challenges for maintaining reliable internet access in Africa, and how might these impact the demand for specialized repair services?
- Future challenges include increasing demand for internet access in Africa, necessitating greater cable redundancy and potentially more repair vessels. The ship's crew highlights the often-overlooked human element in maintaining global digital infrastructure, emphasizing the personal sacrifices made to ensure consistent internet access across the continent.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the story around the heroic efforts of the ship and its crew in maintaining internet connectivity in Africa. The headline itself, "The ship 'hero' that fixes internet outages in Africa," establishes this framing. The repeated use of "hero" and similar terms throughout reinforces this positive portrayal. While this is not inherently biased, it could overshadow the systemic issues contributing to cable damage and the broader context of digital inequity in Africa.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and descriptive, although the repeated use of "hero" and similar terms to describe the ship and crew leans towards positive and potentially subjective language. More objective language could be used, such as describing the crew's work as "essential" or "vital" instead of repeatedly using "heroic.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the technical aspects of the cable repair process and the challenges faced by the crew. However, it omits discussion of the economic impact of these internet outages on African nations, beyond mentioning businesses and individuals facing difficulties. There is also no mention of the potential political implications of relying on a single ship for internet connectivity across the continent. While brevity may be a factor, these omissions limit the reader's full understanding of the broader context.
Gender Bias
The article features several male crew members, with only one female crew member, Shuru Arendse, specifically named and quoted. While her contributions are highlighted, the article primarily focuses on the experiences and perspectives of men. More balanced gender representation would strengthen the article. There is no evidence of gendered language or stereotypes.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the crucial role of the Léon Thévenin, a specialized repair vessel, in maintaining internet connectivity across Africa. This directly supports infrastructure development (target 9.a) by ensuring the functionality of submarine cables, a vital component of the continent's digital infrastructure. The vessel's work prevents significant economic losses and facilitates digital inclusion.