telecommunications

It’s not enough to have a pushy broadband policy in Tanzania

LisaC — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:01:18 +0100

TANZANIA (John Mireny for APCNews) -

By most standards, Tanzania’s information and communications technology (ICT) policy looks ambitious. In just six years, it wants to make the country a hub of telecommunications infrastructure to help build the economy and end poverty. But John Mireny argues that when it comes to broadband, this vision lacks practical application, and is out of step with the real limitations on the ground….

Internet blackout in Niger: Niger’s dependence on the damaged Beninese fibre optic cable

LisaC — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:56:15 +0100

CALGARY (LC for APCNews) -

For twenty days in July, land-locked Niger was without internet connection owing to damage to the undersea cable which goes through neighbouring Benin, and on which Niger depends for 70% of its bandwidth. This APC investigation seeks to understand why this West African country is almost exclusively reliant on Beninese infrastructures, when an alternative satellite solution could have minimised the severity of the situation.

Communication for influence in Central, East and West Africa (CICEWA)

LisaC — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:23:56 +0100

The landing of undersea telecommunications cables on the east coast of Africa in 2009 – starting with Seacom and The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and to be followed in 2010 by the Eastern Afri

A review of telecommunications policy and challenges in Rwanda

LisaC — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:02:22 +0100

The period after the 1994 genocide marked a moment of fundamental change in Rwandan communications. The government embarked on a policy that aimed to increase connectivity as a spur to development.

Bringing affordable telecommunications services to Uganda: A policy narrative and analysis

LisaC — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:45:24 +0100

The liberalisation of Uganda’s telecoms sector came with a string of policy, regulatory and political failures, particularly related to the privatisation of the incumbent Uganda Posts and Telecommun

Benin: Where mobile users carry 3, 4, even 5 SIM cards to make a call

LisaC — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:15:27 +0100

CALGARY (LC for APCNews) -

The telecoms situation in Benin is unique. The array of mobile telephone enterprises established during Mathieu Kérékou’s regime has resulted in the average Beninese owning three, four, or even five SIM cards for their daily communication needs. Facilitated by corruption and skyrocketing prices, it was not until the arrival to power of the new president Yayi Boni in 2006 that reform in this sector began. Despite the current progress and lower prices, networks remain segregated and there is still much to be done in relation to ICTs and the standardisation of the telecom sector in a legislative and regulatory environment that is open to investment. APC investigates to find out more.