WCA March 2013

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Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2013
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In December, Gambia hosted the
launch of the Africa Coast to Europe
(ACE) submarine cable to transform
and advance telecommunication to
high-speed broadband fibre optic
technology.
“The ACE consortium, which is led by
France Telecom-Orange, is made up of
16 members from Africa and Europe.
The Gambia was chosen to host the
launching after many competitions. We
have a grant from World Bank that has
facilitated for our membership,” said
Mr Lamin Camara, deputy permanent
secretary at the ministry of information
and communications infrastructure.
Deputy PS Camara disclosed a
contribution of US$25 million towards
the project. He said 51 per cent of the
contribution was through the private
sector with 49 per cent paid by the
government.
He explained that the government has
paid the amount through a grant from
the World Bank.
“We were getting our source at
SONATEL [Société Nationale des
Télécommunications du Senegal] in
Senegal but with the launching of the
ACE submarine cable system, we will
get it directly from the main source
because we have the ownership,”
explained Mr Malang A Bass, director
of international operations at Gambia
Telecommunications Company.
Gambia hosts submarine cable launch
The Afghan ministry of
telecommunication and information
has announced that a fibre optic
network is to be launched in seven
central and north-eastern provinces of
Afghanistan.
The project, initiated by China’s
Zhongxing Telecommunication
Equipment Corporation (ZTE) in 2007,
was previously delayed by security
issues in some areas.
The first phase of the project has
already been completed, and the
ministry of telecommunication has now
signed contracts with ZTE and two
Afghan companies for the second
phase, which is expected to cost
around $23.3 million. Work has already
commenced.
Zhongxing Telecommunication
Equipment Corporation – China
Website:
Fibre progress for Afghanistan
Telecommunications for Equatorial Guinea
The Government of Equatorial Guinea will expand its broadband
connectivity by participating in the implementation of the international
Africa Coast to Europe Project (ACE), a fibre optic cable connecting 21
countries, from South Africa to France.
Equatorial Guinea’s economic capital, Bata, will be a key connection point.
The ministry of transportation, technology, postal services and
telecommunications will oversee the implementation of the control centre
for the cable at Telecommunication Infrastructures Manager of Equatorial
Guinea (GITGE), the country’s first telecommunications infrastructure
company. The cable is expected to be operational by 6th December 2013.
“Equatorial Guinea is working to expand its broadband connectivity,” said
Carmelo Martin Modu, secretary of state for technology and
telecommunications.
“We believe that through our participation in the ACE project, we will
continue to reduce the digital divide that exists in our country and improve
our communications’ quality and reach.”
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CHINESE – FROM THE AMERICAS ON PAGE 45