UN rolls out 500 000 PCs

Ncomputing will provide virtual desktops for the United Nations (UN) as part of a wider UN programme to distribute 500 000 workstations to developing nations, states PC World.

The first part of the UN deployment involves Ncomputing supplying 1 000 virtual desktops to primary and secondary schools in three African countries.

The programme is being conducted by the UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs and the initial deployments will be in Rwanda, Senegal and Tanzania.

East African Community (EAC) has adopted an ICT policy which aims to improve communication of information to partner states, reports All Africa.com.

During a three-day stakeholder's workshop to review the draft EAC corporate ICT and Web site/portal policy held in Moshi, Tanzania, officials underscored the importance of the policy, saying it would lead to better performance and faster decision-making processes within the community.

"The ICT policy and procedures would act as a reference guide on proper use and maintenance of ICT systems at the headquarters," said the EAC principal administrative officer, Abdul Katabaro.

Mumbai-based Essar Teleholdings has won a wireless network operator licence in Uganda, says Telegeography.

The concession is the company's second in Africa, having won one in Kenya last year.

Apart from Uganda, Essar Teleholdings has also decided to bid for licences in Tanzania, Congo and Cameroon. The firm will also participate in the privatisation of Zambia Telecommunications (Zamtel), a state-owned cellular phone company in Zambia.