The Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System Network (Eassy) will be commercially available in 2008, says the Nepad e-Africa Commission.
Initially, the $280 million Eassy cable project was expected to be ready by the end of 2007, but suffered a series of delays, including issues related to the raising of funds and formulation of the policy framework.
This week, legal experts from among the 22 countries in eastern and southern Africa met in Sandton to review the draft protocol relating to the establishment and operation of the Nepad broadband ICT infrastructure network for the region.
Yesterday`s debate centred around the short time given to legal experts for presenting the revised draft protocol to their respective countries.
It is expected the draft protocol will be signed at the ICT ministerial meeting to take place from 5 to 6 June, and will be ratified by the regional governments thereafter.
The Nepad commission facilitates and co-ordinates the role of governments in the region to formulate a policy framework, within which the network, including the Eassy cable network, should be built and operated.
Edmund Katiti, the Nepad e-Africa Commission`s policy and regulatory advisor, says the $280 million cost includes laying the submarine cable, construction of landing stations and start-up capital.
Katiti says all shareholding entities from all countries of the regions will be required to contribute about $2 million as part of the equity contribution to the cost of construction of the cable.
He adds that Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation consultants would incorporate minor changes made on the draft protocol. The final document would be forwarded to all ministers, ICT policy-makers, regulators and legal experts by no later than Sunday night, he notes.
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