Mutabazi calls for affordable satellite

The Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission, Godfrey Mutabazi, has called for affordable satellite services for land locked countries.

Mutabazi who is currently attending the 20th International Telecommunications Satellite Organization Advisory Committee (IAC), in Washington DC noted with appreciation the innovation and technological advancement in the provision of satellite services by Intelsat.

He however, decried the high cost of satellite services in land locked countries. "Satellite services are critical in the delivery of last mile connectivity to the rural areas, however, the cost of satellite services still high, in spite competition from the fiber network providers," Mutabazi said.

"We would like to see affordable prices so that we can take full advantage of this service to reach out to our people" he further added.  Mutabazi also commended the good work of International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) in executing its supervisory mandate over the provision of satellite services globally.

Mutabazi is head of the Uganda delegation to the 20th IAC meeting which is taking place in Washington DC from 31st March to 1st April 2016. The Uganda delegation comprises of officials from UCC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Uganda Embassy in Washington DC.

Uganda is a member of the 149 member country of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) and currently serves on the Advisory Committee of the organization.

ITSO, the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (previously abbreviated as "INTELSAT"), is an intergovernmental organization, established in 1964, that ensures that communications by means of satellites are available to nations of the world on a global and non-discriminatory basis.