When did Huawei lay the right cable?
IN a sudden twist of events, the parliamentary committee on information and communication technology (ICT) has given the Chinese firm, Huawei Technologies, a green light to complete the laying of the controversial data transmission cable.
IN a sudden twist of events, the parliamentary committee on information and communication technology (ICT) has given the Chinese firm, Huawei Technologies, a green light to complete the laying of the controversial data transmission cable.
This change of heart comes hardly a month after the ICT watchdog, the National Information and Technology Authority (NITA), directed that the project is halted following local and international expert opinion that Huawei was laying the wrong cable.
Nathan Nabeta, the committee chairperson’s defence that the decision followed wide consultation and that Huawei was tasked to rectify the mistakes raises more questions than answers.
First and foremost, the major concern was that the Chinese firm was laying a substandard cable, G652 instead of the superior G655 which would enable faster transmission of data and take care of future expansion. The big question is, when did Huawei replace the substandard cable?
Experts have warned that the project will not deliver on its objectives because of the substandard cable. Did the committee take this into account before arriving at their decision? This cable is not only supposed to link Uganda’s 20 towns for e-governance purposes, but is also supposed to connect the country to the submarine cable at the East African coast to provide faster and cheaper Internet access. Uganda can, therefore, not afford to miss out on the benefits of the ICT revolution.
Secondly, there were concerns over the project cost. Rwanda, which is laying a more superior cable, is paying much less than Uganda. How was the cost issue resolved? Was the committee satisfied with the explanation of the concerned officials?
Whatever the case, this project is being financed through a $106m (sh221b) loan from the Chinese EXIM bank loan which Ugandans have to pay back. Everything should, therefore, be done to ensure the country gets value for money.
This change of heart comes hardly a month after the ICT watchdog, the National Information and Technology Authority (NITA), directed that the project is halted following local and international expert opinion that Huawei was laying the wrong cable.
Nathan Nabeta, the committee chairperson’s defence that the decision followed wide consultation and that Huawei was tasked to rectify the mistakes raises more questions than answers.
First and foremost, the major concern was that the Chinese firm was laying a substandard cable, G652 instead of the superior G655 which would enable faster transmission of data and take care of future expansion. The big question is, when did Huawei replace the substandard cable?
Experts have warned that the project will not deliver on its objectives because of the substandard cable. Did the committee take this into account before arriving at their decision? This cable is not only supposed to link Uganda’s 20 towns for e-governance purposes, but is also supposed to connect the country to the submarine cable at the East African coast to provide faster and cheaper Internet access. Uganda can, therefore, not afford to miss out on the benefits of the ICT revolution.
Secondly, there were concerns over the project cost. Rwanda, which is laying a more superior cable, is paying much less than Uganda. How was the cost issue resolved? Was the committee satisfied with the explanation of the concerned officials?
Whatever the case, this project is being financed through a $106m (sh221b) loan from the Chinese EXIM bank loan which Ugandans have to pay back. Everything should, therefore, be done to ensure the country gets value for money.