The NEPAD ICT broadband infrastructure for Eastern and Southern Africa | NEPAD

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The NEPAD ICT broadband infrastructure for Eastern and Southern Africa | 26 November 2009

The NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network for Eastern and Southern Africa

Outcome of a Study of the Terrestrial segment of this Network

Pretoria 13 November 2009: A feasibility study of a possible deployment of a commercial optical fibre network in Eastern and Southern Africa was commissioned by the NEPAD e-Africa Commission and has recently been completed by Africa Analysis. Once finalized, the network will form part of a continent-wide optical-fibre network known as Umojanet, the name given to the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network by Ministers of ICT. The following 23 countries (of which 12 are signatories to the Kigali Protocol) were covered by the study: Angola, Eritrea, Mauritius, Somalia, Uganda, Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Burundi, Kenya, Mozambique, Sudan, Zimbabwe, DRC, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Djibouti, Madagascar, Rwanda and Tanzania. A similar study for the rest of Africa is planned for 2010. The aim of the feasibility study was to ascertain the technical viability and cost of the NEPAD Broadband Network in the region. The study considered four possible network designs based on a “maximum lease model”, which is aimed at keeping capital costs to a minimum, and an “all build model” that requires an entirely new network to be built. The study revealed that it would cost approximately US$700m to establish the network if the maximum lease model was adopted, and it would cost about US$1,300m if the all build model is followed. The study ascertained that much of the optical fibre infrastructure required for the network is already in place. Of the approximately 30,000 kms of connectivity required, 60% already exists and 8% is under construction. Furthermore, planning for 23% of the infrastructure required has been completed and building is to be done, leaving only 9% still to be planned and built. The study also revealed that optical fibre infrastructure can be acquired from more than one source. Over 50% of the infrastructure required can also be sourced from a second supplier i.e. a second telecom network operator or non-telecom operators such as electricity supply authorities and pipeline operators. It is proposed that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SVP) be established to develop, own and operate such a network within the framework of the Kigali Protocol. If the SPV were to establish the network on the maximum lease model, it would lease capacity from existing optical fibre infrastructure owners and only build where none exists. Many no telecom infrastructure owners have indicated their interest in leasing broadband capacity to the SPV. Umojanet will be developed in countries that have ratified the Kigali Protocol and have licensed the SPV to provide “carrier of carriers” services to their Authorised Service Providers (ASPs). The ASPs would typically be entities such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs), mobile service providers and even incumbent operators who may want to take advantage of the lower prices the SPV will offer. The network could also be extended to countries that are not yet signatory to the Kigali Protocol, if these countries are willing to license the SPV to operate in their territories. The study was funded by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), and Groupe Agence Française de Development (AFD). Further information on the study can be found on the NEPAD e-Africa Commission’s website: www.eafricacommission.org For more information, please contact:Gilles Eric FOADEYCommunications Manager,NEPAD e-Africa CommissionTel: 073 530 6654 (mobile)Tel: 012 841 4523 (office)

Email: gfoadey@eafricacommission.org

What's New

The NEPAD ICT broadband infrastructure for Eastern and Southern Africa | 26 November 2009

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