BUNYANGABU —The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) together with the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) through its Rural Communication Development Fund (RCDF), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Corning Optical Communications and ADVA SE have January 8 launched the pilot phase of the Electricity and Fiber to The Village (EFTTV) Project in Buhesi Sub-County in Bunyangabu District.
The project is a shared infrastructure concept that combines the roll out of electricity and ICT in rural areas of Uganda.
Officials have indicated that EFTTV project leverages infrastructure sharing to exploit the cost synergies of simultaneously rolling out the grid and fiber while ensuring the productive use of electricity and broadband internet through the deployment of an ICT eco system in the village.
The beneficiary sites of the pilot project are; Kiyombya Sub County Headquarters, Kiyombya Health Centre III, Buheesi Senior Secondary School, and Buheesi Town Council and each will receive unlimited broadband connectivity from NITA-U, training on the selected e-applications.
They will also take part in a monitoring and evaluation exercise to determine the impact of the intervention on their productivity.
The UCC donated and installed 40 computers to the project whereas REA ensured Electricity supply.
Another partner ADVA SE donated its NVF Technology to the project.
Speaking at the Event, NITA-U ED Dr. Hatwib Mugasa thanked the partners for ensuring the project was delivered.
“Let me thank our partners UCC through its Rural Communication Development Fund, the Rural Electrification Agency, Corning Optical Communications and ADVA SE,” he said, adding that: “Today we have demonstrated how Government agencies are harmoniously working together to improve efficiency in providing services to Ugandans’’.
He further reaffirmed government’s commitment towards expanding internet connectivity to Ugandans.
‘”The Government through NITA-U has so far laid more than 4000 kilometers of fiber across 49 districts and connected 609 sites to the network. We are currently implementing the last mile Project which will connect more than 700 sites including Government offices, hospitals schools and other installations. The project we are launching today presents yet another opportunity for the government of Uganda to further expand internet connectivity’’
Gunter Landers, the in charge of Middle East and Africa ADVA SE noted, indicating that by simultaneously deploying the grid with aerial optical fiber a cost saving of up-to 40% is achieved arising from sharing rights of way and civil works which account for the largest expenditure in deploying linear networks.
It also enables the implementation of an ICT eco-system which is supported and further optimized by ADVA´s NFV technology.
