Case studies and discussion on how LDCs are leveraging investment in broadband infrastructure for national

development

The Case study of Tanzania:

The National ICTBB Infrastructure

Presentation Outline

• Introduction

• Infrastructure Investment for Broadband Connectivity in Tanzania

• Applications & Opportunities of ICTs Applications

• About Accelerating the Implementation of IPOA

• Challenges

• Conclusion and the Way Forward

INTRODUCTION

Over the past decades, the ICT sector has grown to become one of the world's most successful and inspiring ecosystems. More than 15 years ago, when governments set the Millennium Development Goals, the world did not have the smartphones or online social networks that we see today.

Tanzania established the National ICT Legislation, Policy, Regulations, Procedures and Standards such as:

• The National ICT Policy of 2016

• Electronic and Postal Communications Act, 2010 (EPOCA) Regulation

Technology Neutral

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT FOR BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN TANZANIA

Current Status …… National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) Infrastructure

Development:

Phase I:USD77m

Phase II: USD106m

Total investiment in Backbone Infrastructure Phase I & II is USD 183m - covering 7560 Km – Operational Since June, 2012

Phase III: USD408m

Sub-Phase I: USD94 – Completed and is Operational September, 2016

Sub-Phase II: USD314 – Soliciting Funds to start the project

Phase IV: USD80m –Is a project implemented under PPP arrangement between the Government Telecom operators.

Phase V: Last Mile Broadband Connectivity – a number of Government and Public Sector initiatives are available

Towards a Broadband ………….

NICTBB Phase I & II

Coverage: 26 Regions with a total distance 7560Km

Covering Cross boarder connectivity to neighbouring countries of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia and Malawi

International Connectivity: Eassy and Seacom

Technology: DWDM & SDH/OTN; 10G x 40 Wavelength, which is full utilized, now expanding to 200G

Services: GE, FE, STM1, STM4, STM16 and STM64

Towards a Broadband

…………. The IP-MPLS network is

the layer that has built on top of the underlying SDH physical network

The IP-MPLS provides high speed data/internet services and achieve greater Quality of Service (QoS)

Aggregates the Services to 2Mbps and 10Mbps

Towards a Broadband …………. Projects under PPP Arrangement

NICTBB Phase IV This is a Metro Optic Fibre Network covering Urban

areas of Tanzania.

The Role of Consortium of Operators is to provide funds while the Government contribution is through availing Right of Ways (ROWs) and its costs; and the Government is the Owner of the network while Consortium using the capacity as according to the agreement set-up.

Current roll-out status

Rural Broadband Connectivity The Government is collaborating with Viettel

Tanzania to implement the project

Total distance of 18,000 km of OFC Infrastructure rolled out to urban and rural areas

The Role of the Government is to avail is to Right of Ways (ROWs) while Viettel do the following:

Activity Location Distance Covered

Metro Networks

Towns of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Morogoro, Dodoma, Tanga, Moshi, Mbeya, Shinyanga, Musoma

530.86

Long Distance Networks

Via Roads & Nothern and Central Railway Line

2018.9

Activity Agreemen

t

Current

Status

Building Telecommunication

Towers

4,000

Villages

2,887

Villages

on air

Fibre Optic

Connectivity

to:

Local Government

Offices 150 123

Districts Police Offices 150 131

Districts Hospitals 150 74

3 Secondary Schools in

each District 450

417

schools

Postal Offices 65 68

APPLICATIONS & OPPORTUNITIES OF ICTS APPLICATIONS

All licensed operators use the built NICTBB network on Open Access terms where prices are open to all service providers, provided the services to retails and to the end users, such as banks, industries, companies, etc o e-Banking, e-Commerce, e-Business, e-tourism, etc

Government institutions (MDAs) connected and use NICTBB services via GovNet Projects; thus having projects on ICT application systems such as:

Business Portal, NBP (MIT) Telemedicine (Muhimbili NH) Birth Registration System (Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency- RITA) e-Procurement (PPRA) and e-Records, e-office and Others.

o the Higher Learning and Research Institutions (HERIs) - e-Learning, as well as online learning, online admission application, online loan application, etc)

o schools (e-schools) - e-Education o Hospitals (Telemedicine) Video Conferencing, etc

The implementation of IPOA: within the context of 2030 agenda Let me highlight Tanzania experience on preparedness to tackle the challenges by addressing few questions:

How can the development of broadband infrastructure support the national

development objectives: We realize that we need to articulate the ICT contributions targets, priority strategic industries and specific value chain areas and activities in a national ICT strategy, and developing its implementation strategy guideline to include: innovation promotion mechanism, ICT skill development, Trade incentive for ICT. The strategy should be market driven based on local, regional and global demand trend.

What models could work in LDC’s to develop the difference components of broadband infrastructure: We envisage that there is a need to grow the innovation ecosystem by creating enabling environment that nurture entrepreneurs and ideas, promoting collaboration and linkages between research institutes and private sector, as well as greater access to fund towards commercialization of ideas. In Tanzania we are promoting establishment of technological parks and ICT special economic zones which should be connected to high speed broadband networks and anchored with data centres, ICT research institutions and think tanks.

• What type of measure can help reducing the risk perception of private investors: In order to attract private investors, the government is working to streamline the process to obtain work permits, consolidate the number of taxes and through policy and trade incentives. An act on Public Private Partnership was enacted in 2015.

• How can public Authorities support the development of broadband connectivity to underserved areas: In Tanzania, we have a Universal Communication Service Access Fund which is used to subsidize deployment of broadband to underserved areas. Access to fund is on competitive bases open to all licensed operators. Also, through Regulation on infrastructure sharing and PPP where the government provide incentive such as right of way and ease of obtaining environment impact analysis certificate for smooth and timely execution of projects in rural areas. In turn, operators provide part of infrastructure for government use and provide broadband connectivity to government institutions in rural areas including schools, police stations, health centres and postal offices.

• How can cross boarder broadband infrastructure be incentivized: Based on Tanzania geographical position, in order to facilitate seamless cross boarder infrastructure, good regulation framework was introduced whereby international gateways were liberalized but closely monitored to ensure security of the country and revenue to Government through incoming international traffic. The license are technology neutral and converged to allow dynamic change of ICT technology. Thus, cross boarder connectivity became possible using radio links, wireless, satellite and optic fibre. Good quality of service, standardization and reliability of network ensure interconnection of broadband for various infrastructure.

CHALLENGES

Challenges in deploying ICTs includes:

Connectivity - Service Availability

Electricity - Energy to Power

ICTs Affordability - Service Tariffs

Capability - The HR Function

Security - Cyber Crimes/Cyber legislation

Content -to drive e-Services/e-transactions

Conclusion and the Way Forward…..

Broadband connectivity is necessary for socio-economic development… inline with accelerating the implementation of iPOA within the context of 2030 Agenda….

It is time to connect the unconnected. Broadband Connectivity Making should

be a global priority. We should all work towards that end, to use the benefits of digital technology in all sectors of society and the economy. I reaffirm here, on behalf of the Tanzanian Government, a full commitment towards this endeavour.

It is of our collective interest and shared aspiration that throughout the discussions of this meeting, positive and practical contribution will be made towards the success of our cooperative efforts. I am sure we are able to turn words into actions.