Government to reduce internet costs
Oct 02, 2014
The government is set to reduce internet costs by at least 80%, for easy accessibility by Ugandans.
By Betty Amamukirori and Michael Odeng
The government is set to reduce internet costs by at least 80%, for easy accessibility by Ugandans.
This was revealed by the minister of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), John Nasasira.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new board of directors of Uganda Communications Commission, at the ministry of ICT offices in Kampala, Nasasira said Uganda currently pays USD600 (about sh1.5m) per one mega bite monthly.
“Our current strategic investment plan is to bring the cost of the internet to USD80 (about sh208, 000) by 2020,” Nasasira said.
Nasasira said discussions are underway with the operators of internet to get submarine cables at the Indian Ocean Coast to avoid the problem of middlemen who tend to hike internet prices.
“We have to deal directly with the internet providers and have better deals of how to transmit information between the Kenyan Boarder and the Coast,” he noted.
Nasasira said the Ministry will build another cable to Mutukula (Uganda –Tanzania border) and Katuna (Uganda- Rwanda boarder) under the national backbone third phase to avoid dependency on one route by 2015.
He said this will cost USD15m (about sh39b).
The national fiber backbone infrastructure is a network of cables that has already been installed throughout Uganda.
The Minister said the satellite system Ugandans are using currently to access internet is slow, expensive and has a low capacity.
However, there is currently one cable in Masaka that connects through Mutukula, Mbarara and Katuna.
“Our current strategic plan is to raise Uganda to 100th position in the next five years.
Uganda currently stands at 130th position as far as ICT development industry is concerned,” he said.
Meanwhile Nasasira also inaugurated the new board of directors of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to regulate telecommunications and postal services in Uganda.
The seven - member board was sworn-in include; Vincent Kasangaki, Evelyn Piloya, Jane Kabbale, Rajab Wardah Gyagenda, William Byruhanga, Norah Mulira and Charles Lwanga Auk.
Nasasira urged them to bring their expertise to bear and champion the mission and vision of the organization.
He urged the new board to facilitate private sector participation in the communications sector as well as in the overall national development.
UCC board chairman Kasangaki said the new board will advise government on communication sector through the ministry of ICT and parliament in collaboration with other agencies including Nita-Uganda, Uganda Postal limited and Uganda instatute of ICT.
He urged the new board to carry out their responsibility by following the basic principles of regulation and balancing the needs of government, operators and consumers of community services.
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