Kenya’s telecom operators, Safaricom, Telkom Kenya, Zain Kenya and Essar telecoms, have been tasked with implementing the digital villages plan. In accordance with the Kenya Communication Amendment Act 2009, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) will impose a levy of 1% of the operators’ total revenue for the project rollout, this according to Business Daily.
As a result, the operators will implement the project themselves in consultation with the regulator.
“For the last three years we have been talking about rolling out digital villages in the country but it has not picked up due to delays in financing that we were to get from the World Bank. However we have now asked the telecommunication operators to roll them out as a way of meeting the universal access Fund obligation”, said Bitange Ndemo, information permanent secretary at CCK.
So far, Safaricom has established 500 digital centres using 3G for faster Internet connectivity, while Telkom Kenya is working on rolling out 3G and mobile wireless technology CDMA.
According to government’s requirements, operators have to extend data services in rural areas and build centers for the delivery of e-government services. Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Popote wireless have been confirmed as project managers.
The investment, valued at $200,000 for the Nairobi-based control centre and around $10,000 per site, comprises installation of transmission dishes, tower constructions and connectivity.
All digital centers will have Internet access, scanners and between 10 to 20 computers. KDN wil also set up smaller digital Kiosks, running up to 5 computers at a divisional level.
They’re installing satellite dishes? A few years ago, that would have been understandable, but with the new fibre optic connections to Kenya, would it not make more sense to extend fibre links to these sites?
I have been trained by the ICT Board to roll out Digital Village centers and would like to receive updates on the same.
I am also the secretary of the recently formed association of Digital Villages PASHA Implementors in Kenya; known as RURAL ICT DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME RIDEP.
Hopping to submit our profile.
For how long will it take the Government to roll out digital villages, there seems to be no plan at all. I plead with the ministry of information & Technology to be vibrant in the way they do things especially in terms of IT, don’t be Sluggish.
We need digital villages seriously.
please don’t let us down.