Fibre optic cable rollout complete

KIGALI - The physical laying of the optic fibre cable, which includes civil works, laying of ducts and installation of the fibre is complete. This was revealed yesterday by Patrick Nyirishema,the Deputy Director of Rwanda Development Board (RDB)in charge of Information Technology, during an interview. “The work that has been completed also includes cross-border fibre installation at the Uganda and Tanzania borders,” he said, adding that RDB’s target was to complete this by December 31, which they did. The infrastructure will boost access to various broadband services including fast tracking government initiatives like e-Governance, e-Banking, e-Learning, e-Health, and other applications. Nyirishema stressed that, the installation of equipment in institutions that are directly connected to the optic fibre is ongoing and the entire network will be fully operational and commissioned by April this year. He noted that Kigali Metropolitan Network is operational where 72 government institutions have already been activated on the network and more will soon be added. Once the cable is connected to the undersea fibre optic, Rwandans will access affordable high speed internet, further strengthening Rwanda’s ambitions of becoming the regional ICT hub. The network cable is also expected to enhance the ICT industry by facilitating IT-based foreign direct investments in areas such as business outsourcing which can leverage on the already existing fibre optic broadband infrastructure. Ends

National

Fibre optic cable rollout complete