Alcatel-Lucent and Ghana’s National Information Technology Agency (NITA) have revealed the completion of the Eastern corridor rural fibre-optic backbone project.
The Eastern corridor network, designed and deployed by Alcatel-Lucent, spans 775km and links Ghana’s north, south, and international submarine gateways via its eastern corridor. It serves major towns such as Kpando, Jasikan, Nkwanta, Bimbila, Yendi, Tamale, Gushiegu and Bawku as well as 23 smaller communities.
The network uses Alcatel-Lucent’s optical networking platform based on the 1830 photonic service switch with 100G technology.
According to both parties, the project signed in 2012 significantly expands communication links between Ghana’s Coastal line and Northern Boundary to Burkina Faso. The optical backbone will also improve communications links for central and regional administration offices, in support of the national ‘e-Ghana’ Program initiative.
Alcatel-Lucent has also provided computing and storage infrastructure for two data centres including help desk infrastructure, a performance management and rating system and an e-Learning Management System. Alcatel-Lucent will continue to manage network operations for Ghana’s entire ‘e-government’ infrastructure until 2016.
Commenting on the milestone, Daniel Jaeger, Vice-President, Alcatel-Lucent in Africa said: “Through technology and innovation this project will help change the way people live, work and communicate, providing an important platform for sustainable growth and development. Alcatel-Lucent has long-standing expertise in IP transport and we are delighted to be a part of this project to support Ghana’s government initiative in continuously improving communications services for the country. The new network will be a catalyst for change to accelerate the development of rural areas in the country. Indeed every success has its network.”
Staff Writer
