Openserve Uses AI to Protect Fibre Network

The firm employs machine learning to detect vibration patterns and prevent damage to its national infrastructure.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Data Centers

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of fibre optic cables with angular vibration waves, representing network infrastructure security. — Openserve has deployed an AI-based vibration detection system across South Africa to identify potential threats to its national fibre network. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In October 2026, Openserve detailed its use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to monitor its fibre network across South Africa. The system identifies unusual sonar waves and vibration patterns to detect potential digging threats, enabling preventative maintenance.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to maintain connectivity and prevent service outages before faults occur. This upgrade enhances network resilience after the company experienced simultaneous failures in separate provinces in 2025.

Openserve manages a network spanning 190,000km with 34 internet breakout points and has deployed 10Gbps passive optical network technology. The firm also successfully tested network speeds reaching 50Gbps in the Kruger National Park.

The players

Openserve

This telecommunications infrastructure provider maintains a vast network of terrestrial fibre and international subsea cables across South Africa.

The details

The sensing system learns the baseline vibration patterns of the landscape and alerts 3,000 technicians when anomalies suggest digging activity. This move accompanies the decommissioning of legacy copper exchanges in favour of more robust fibre connections.

Two fibre routes failed in separate provinces during 2025.
Quarterly results were reported for the period ending 30 June 2026.
The AI fibre sensing system was discussed in October 2026.

The Tech Race

The adoption of 10Gbps passive optical network technology reflects a wider industry trend of phasing out legacy copper infrastructure in favour of high-speed fibre. This shift positions Openserve to compete more effectively in the evolving landscape of high-capacity data transmission.

Users can expect improved connectivity resilience and fewer service interruptions due to the proactive detection of cable faults. These technical advancements ensure that the network better supports high-speed requirements for businesses and residential customers.

The takeaway

Predictive maintenance through AI allows companies to address physical risks to infrastructure before they disrupt service for end users. Adopting such automated monitoring systems is becoming a standard practice for maintaining reliability in national telecommunications networks.