Cable & Wireless Seychelles, originally established as the Eastern and South African Telegraph Company in 1893, has been a cornerstone in the telecommunications landscape of Seychelles. It was the first to connect the island nation to the global telecommunication network via a telegraph cable linking Seychelles to Zanzibar. Over the years, the company evolved into one of the two main telecommunication service providers in Seychelles, alongside Airtel. In 2019, the company underwent a significant ownership change when it was acquired by a group of Seychellois entrepreneurs under the CWS Investment Group for $130 million from Liberty Global. This acquisition marked a new era of local ownership and investment in the telecommunications infrastructure of Seychelles.
Country
Seychelles
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Cable Wireless Seychelles

3G Network

Cable & Wireless Seychelles launched its 3G network in March 2011, providing enhanced mobile data services to its customers. The network operated on the 2100 MHz frequency band, which facilitated faster data speeds and improved connectivity for mobile users. The introduction of 3G technology was a significant milestone, enabling services such as mobile internet access, video calls, and multimedia messaging. As of the latest updates, there is no indication that the 3G network has been shut down, although the focus has shifted towards more advanced technologies like 4G and 5G.

Network Frequency Band Status
B1 (2100 MHz)
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

The 4G LTE network was launched by Cable & Wireless Seychelles on November 26, 2014, using the 800 MHz frequency band (Band 20). This deployment marked a substantial upgrade in mobile data speeds and network capacity, allowing for faster internet access and improved service quality. The company has continuously invested in expanding its 4G infrastructure, adding more base stations to enhance coverage and capacity. By 2020, Cable & Wireless had optimised its network by adding extra 4G LTE sites, further strengthening its position as a leading provider in the region.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Status Known EARFCNs
B3 (1800 MHz)
Active
1849
B20 (800 MHz)
Active
6300
B41 (2500 MHz)
Active
40148
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

Cable & Wireless Seychelles launched its 5G network in July 2020, in partnership with Huawei. The rollout was initially available to postpaid customers, with the network offering significantly faster data speeds and enhanced connectivity. The 5G network was part of a broader network optimisation project that included the deployment of new 5G base stations to improve coverage and capacity. As of 2023, the 5G network was still primarily accessible to postpaid users, with plans to extend access to prepaid customers in the future. The company has continued to expand its 5G infrastructure, aiming to provide more customers with access to this next-generation technology.

Date Event Subtype
Launch of 5G Network
Launch