[kictanet] 1st EAfrican Wimax Conference Update

[John Walubengo]

The above took place in March 21-23rd 2009 at Safari Park Hotel. Presenters and delegates from Academia, Regulators, Vendors, Manufacturers, Telcos and other stakeholders shared their experiences on Wimax Technologies under the theme - "Bridging the digital divide  through mobile Internet".

Regulatory challenges included the fact that Wimax technologies required the use of frequency spectrum that was in short supply - given that spectrum is a finite resource that was already largely allocated to broadcasters and mobile phone operators.  In addition, Kenyan Regulators reported that the internationally recognized "free" spectrum band of "2.x" GHz that has not been available to Kenyan Operators would be availed in due course.

Manufacturers and Vendors debated passionately about which Wimax standards (802.16e, 802.16d, etc) would eventually carry the day. Further debates centered on whether Wimax or GSM technologies will prevail and dominate the African Markets. Most Operators in the region were however blending both Wimax and GSM wireless technologies in order to extend the reach of their networks into the rural and remote areas.

The closing ceremony, which was graced by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information & Communication, Dr. Bitange Ndemo, cited the following as the key areas needing the attention of the stakeholders: Frequency Management, Wimax Evolution, Wimax Standards and Quality, Wimax Training and Wimax Infrastructure Sharing.

A Wimax Secretariate was formed and charged with the task of ensuring that the above issues were deliberated on and the outcome used to inform the next Wimax Conference to be held next year. Other stakeholders interested in joining the secretariate were requested to email their expression of interest to either jwalubengo at mmu.ac.ke and/or jbaraza at afralti.org before 10th April 2009.


walu.