The Marseille city, crossroads of trade and immigration, European capital of culture… and central hub of global internet traffic? The 17 cables submarinessubmarines which connect Marseille to the rest of the world have become arteriesarteries vital points of international connectivity, placing the city at the top of the ranking of internet hubs – these nerve centers where important volumesvolumes of internet traffic.
While the 2Africa project promises to connect 33 countries and more than 3 billion people across three continents, the progress of this colossal project continues, and with it comes the promise of an economic windfall but also a threat ecological for the region.
2Africa, a titanic project to connect Africa to the rest of the world
Since 2022 and the latest ranking from the NGO Telegeography, Marseille has been the seventh global internet hub thanks to its cutting-edge infrastructure and its numerous submarine cables. A seventh place that the city intends to exchange in 2024 for a number five, reward for massive investments – it now has five data centers and plans to install a dozen others in the medium term, enough to connect 30 cables under -sailors in the city and several billion users between them around the world.
Its most impressive project: the installation of 2Africa, an underwater cable which departs from the maritime port of Marseille-Fos. Belonging to the Meta consortium, it promises unprecedented connectivity between Europe, Africa and Asia, with 33 countries connected. Its 37,000 kilometers long should allow it – excuse me – to tour Africa, from Marseille, therefore, to Portugal and Great Britain, via the Red SeaRed Sea and South Africa. Once activated, it should offer a more reliable and faster connection, particularly on the African continent where internet access remains a major issue.
Crucial stages of cable deployment are underway, with successful landings in several African countries, including the latest at the Qua Iboe oil terminal in Nigeria. Although many landings remain to be made, particularly in the Red Sea, most have been made around the continent, with a start planned for this year and which, against all expectations, should take place on time.
A cash cow that threatens the environment?
A technical feat which acts as a heavyweight in the economy of the Marseille city, creating jobs and further stimulating the growth of an already flourishing digital sector, necessary for a city crossed by economic difficulties (count 9.4% of unemployment rate, compared to 6.9 nationally) and strong social disparities.
However, this expansion still raises concerns. Critics point in particular to the ecological footprint of such an activity: use of resources – the consumption of Marseille data centers would represent, over one year, “the consumption of a city of 150,000 inhabitants”estimated The world…to which is added their necessary cooling in order to avoid the creation of islands of heatheat in one of the cities most affected by rising temperatures due to global warmingglobal warming.
While the 2Africa project should allow Marseille to consolidate its position as a giant in global internet connectivity, its advancement raises challenges for the city and the region that will need to be addressed by balancing digital growth and environmental sustainability.
