Once the cable arrives in Maputo, Last said, it will be transferred onto a barge and installed in August and September. Last added that EASSY management expects the cable to be ready for service in June 2010.

EASSY management also expects the arrival of the cable on the eastern seaboard to be a key enabler for economic growth in the region by encouraging expansion of Internet-based businesses, call center services and back-office outsourcing.

The financiers of the US$240 million project include the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Germany Development Bank (KfW).