The call was made in
Dar es Salaam over the weekend by Consulting Engineer and Director of
ICTs Eng Dr Zaipuna Yonah in a seminar with news editors on the progress
of the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB).
Yonah said lack of
laws and policy governing the fibre optics industry is a big challenge
but the task to create one is daunting since the document currently the
National ICT policy of 2003 must be reviewed to match the periodic
technological development.
Original funding to
set up the sector in Tanzania was via a loan, 170m/-USD that came from
China through the bank of Exim while 18b/- amount provided by the
government itself.
NICTBB covers some
7,560 km, 5,448km being newly laid and 2,112km built by Tanzania
National Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO).
Dr Yonah explained
that the task to build up NICTBB is a progressive mission and already
phases I and II which cover National broadband backhaul/connecting to
submarine cables/cross-border connectivity have been completed. The
third phase involves set up of, missing links, service layer, data
centers has already been approved and more efforts are directed to
raising funds.
Phase four of the
metro network covers 90km in Dar es Salaam completed at 6m/- USD. The
last phase, mile broadband connectivity, is still in process.
Yonah added that nine
cross border connectivity stations have built in borders of Rwanda,
Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia.
NICTBB have connected
to other international broadband such as SEACOM EASSY and TEAMS. The
broadband SEAs is built to join Tanzania and Seychelles a project
sponsored by mobile service provider Zantel.
Operation manager,
Adin Mgendi acknowledged that low funding is their major challenge.
Mgendi added that poor planning of cities in the country is a big
challenge that it has been very difficult in connection due to many
buildings being built roughly and other authorities like Dar es Salaam
Water and Sewage Cooperation (DAWASCO).
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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