Internet disruption
Internet connections across the island experienced slowdowns due to technical issues with undersea fiber optic cables, stemming from a problem in West Africa. A group of operators is actively addressing the fault, while Mauritius Telecom has rerouted traffic to alternative submarine cables. This outage caused widespread inconvenience, particularly in offices, with Microsoft also confirming a service disruption in the Middle East and Africa, affecting Office 365 users, notably those accessing Outlook for emails.
Coastal rehabilitation
The Council of Ministers convened to assess the progress of coastal protection and landscaping initiatives aimed at combating beach erosion along Mauritius' coastline. Efforts include deploying artificial reefs, planting mangroves and seagrass beds, and restoring native dune vegetation. Over five kilometers of eroded coastline across eight sites, including Case Noyale and Grand Baie Sunset Boulevard, have already been rehabilitated. Work is ongoing at Bois des Amourettes, with plans outlined to restore 8.5 kilometers of coastline at 16 priority sites by 2029, encompassing areas like Trou aux Biches and Albion.
New cigarette regulations
Recent regulations, effective since May 2023, have led to the absence of certain cigarette brands on the local market. Notably, cigarettes with capsules, flavored variants, and 'super slim' types are prohibited from importation. TNS Tobacco, representing brands like Dunhill and Rothmans, confirms the transition to plain packaging since December 2023, resulting in a temporary sales decline as consumers adjust to the changes. Despite these alterations, cigarette prices remain unchanged, with standardized packaging and adjusted tar and nicotine content being the most noticeable changes for consumers.
Inauguration of Earth station
Emtel Mauritius and Eutelsat Group forged a historic partnership with the establishment of Mauritius' first-ever earth station, named Emtel Technopolis, situated at Union Vale. Equipped with 21 satellites in low earth orbit (LEO), the station aims to deliver high-speed internet not only to maritime and aviation sectors but also to the broader region. Protected by radomes capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, Emtel Technopolis marks a significant technological leap, enabling swift communications with satellites up to 1200 km away. This groundbreaking project promises to enhance air and maritime safety, combat illegal fishing and piracy, and provide emergency telemedicine services. Additionally, it facilitates high-speed, low-latency connectivity for coastguards and naval fleets, improving communication and coordination in Mauritian waters and beyond.
