The guiding philosophy behind backhaul networks are:

 - EASSy meant, at best, to supplant the use of satellite for routing of international traffic in the region and at least supplement it.

  This requires that:
  : The total cost of transmitting traffic via EASSy should not exceed   the expected long-term cost of transmitting traffic via satellite

  : Hence, the cost of Backhaul transmission to all parties should be   such as to promote competitiveness of EASSy vis-a-vis transmission   over satellite

  : The transmission of traffic via EASSy should provide for resilience   and preferably full redundancy including in the backhaul routes.

  : Access to EASSy for all parties needs to be at two or more landing   points at no extra cost

  : Desirable even for landing parties

This philosophy should indeed be a guiding principle for ICT policy makers in the region