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AT&T Corp. said Tuesday it is seeking U.S. government backing for a plan to lay a $1.9 billion undersea fiber-optic cable around Africa.
The 21,000-mile cable would have landing points in 41 African countries, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
William Carter, president of AT&T Submarine Systems, said he received a good response when he presented the idea to congressional subcommittees.
“The reception I got was very enthusiastic, and the reception I got all over Africa has been very enthusiastic,” Carter said.
Most of Africa’s phone network is antiquated, unreliable and a massive hindrance to business across the continent, say executives who have worked there.
Carter acknowledged that financing would be the biggest hurdle.
