WCA March 2013

Gambia hosts submarine cable launch

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.

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

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 6 th 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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Fibre progress for Afghanistan

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 : www.zte.com.cn

The 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. Afghan ministry

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Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2013