ICT governance body formed

Three African trading blocs have agreed to merge into the African Economic Community, and put ICT issues at the top of its infrastructure development agenda, states Networkworld.

The East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Southern African Development Community have agreed to a free trade area, which will give way to a customs union.

The tripartite summit of the three organisations directed the policy-making arms of all three groups to establish a joint programme for the implementation of an accelerated, inter-regional ICT broadband infrastructure network within one year.

The Ugandan ICT ministry will compel telecoms companies to share transmission masts, says New Vision.

David Turahi, director of ICT management services in the ministry, said the measure was aimed at reducing the increasing number of masts being constructed in the country.

Turahi said the measure follows complaints from the public over the mushrooming mobile phone transmission base stations.

Gilat Satcom has attributed the recurrent hitches experienced by ICT service providers in Nigeria to the overselling of capacity, states Punch NG.

This challenge, it said, has continued to pose a serious constraint to achieving good quality service among Internet and telecommunications service providers in the country.

The VP of sales and marketing at Gilat Satcom, Avihu Bergman, described the situation as appalling and not ideal for a growing ICT market like Nigeria.