The Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) revealed on Monday June 25 that by 2020 they target to have the entire country on internet.
Launching a 5-day satellite workshop at Pearl of Africa Hotel in Kampala, Ms Irene Kaggwa, the UCC Director Engineering, Communications and Infrastructure, who represented Eng Godfrey Mutabazi, the Commission’s Executive Director said that in this new era of tremendous changes in technology and communication no one should be excluded.
“Broadband width in Uganda is at 40 percent for urban areas and 15 percent for rural areas. Uganda targets 100 percent urban connectivity and 50 percent rural internet connectivity by 2020,” Kaggwa said.
“Africa cannot be left behind in the new communication dimension for internet of big data, artificial intelligence and how to leverage ICTs. Where is Africa in this?” she asked.
Kaggwa said the training was to equip participants with technical skills and tools on satellite communications system with particular emphasis on rural internet connectivity systems and services.
UCC will now utilize Intelsat satellite services and Gilat Satellite Networks’ ground infrastructure to advance the deployment of 3G wireless communications infrastructure and expand the access to internet for businesses and communities in the rural areas of Uganda.
Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) consultant, Eng Edward Kasule Musisi, said the nationwide internet connectivity will be instrumental in helping accelerate the commission’s strategy of achieving minimum speed and reliable internet to rural areas by 2020.
The project is sponsored by MTN Uganda but according to Musisi, “the network will be available to the other operators too upon subscription.”
