[kictanet] Fibre optic project shifts gear

[A. Wanjira Munyua]

Fibre optic project shifts gear
By Philip Mwakio

The fibre optic sub-marine cable project spearheaded by the
Government has gone a notch higher following the completion of a
route survey.The East Africa Marine Systems (Teams) undersea cable
should be operational in three years, Information and Communications
Permanent Secretary, Dr Bitange Ndemo has said.

"This occasion marks a momentous milestone for Telkom Kenya and the
country at large as it takes us nearer to our cherished dream of
commissioning a fibre optic backbone network in the next three
years," he said. Ndemo spoke on Thursday when he received a route
survey report presented to him by the project scientists, whose ship
docked at the port of Mombasa.

The survey started in Fujaira in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
ended in Mombasa, covering a distance of 4,726 km, said project
manager, Mr Boris Shirokozhukhov.

Cruising at a speed of eight knots, the ship took three months to
complete the route.

Ndemo added that the deployment of a high bandwidth fibre optic
backbone network under the Teams initiative was an achievable feat.

Tendering to start

Following the route survey completion, the Government is now on
course to establishing a separate company — special purpose vehicle —
to manage laying of the cable, linking Fujaira and East Africa.

RV Gelendzhik, operated by Tyco Telecom Company of the US undertook
the survey and mapping services to facilitate laying the cable to
link the three East African countries.

On board was a crew of 30, including 22 scientists and two Telkom
Kenya officers.

The PS termed the survey completion as a milestone that would further
advance local telecommunication standards.

The survey project costed $2.7 million (Sh191 million).

Immediately the report was received, concerned authorities announced
they would work on the modalities for tendering.

Team's chairperson in charge of the Technical Committee, Projects and
Contracts, Ms Atieno Ochola, said they are now working on the design
of request for proposals.

"The survey forms portion of the project and what we are awaiting is
the actual construction or laying of the cable under the seabed," she
said.

A landing base has been identified near the historical Fort Jesus
Museum, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Alongside other investors, the Government is expected to own 40 per
cent of the project.

Standard Chartered Bank is the project's financial adviser and was
represented at the ceremony to welcome the ship by Mr Fred Michuki, a
senior lender, public sector.

Last year, the Government, through Telkom Kenya and the UAE, through
its telecommunication service provider Etisalat, entered into a
memorandum of understanding for implementing Teams.

Other top officials at the function included Communications
Commission of Kenya Director General, Mr John Waweru, Mombasa
District Commissioner, Mr Raphael Letimalo, Telkom Kenya Coast
Regional Manager, Mr David Molel and Kenya Ports Authority Harbour
master, Mr Twalib Khamis.