In a cabinet resolution made this week on Monday 23rd, the government has pledged to double-down on increasing access to broadband internet and reducing costs of internet devices such as smartphones and laptops. This comes a few days after the ICT minister pledged to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) how his ministry intends to introduce several improvements to the sector.
They have noted the strategic interventions geared towards the improvements of the levels of broadband connectivity and affordability in the country. Among these includes regulating and coordinating its planning, rollout, and sharing to reduce capital investment costs, lower the costs of services and ensure universal access.
The government also agreed to integrate broadband infrastructure in the planning and development of major infrastructures such as roads, railways, energy, and oil pipelines. This means when building communication infrastructure like laying fiber access, all stakeholders e.g telecom companies will agree to have a common path.
The cabinet has also embraced the mixing of technologies to provide broadband connectivity by deploying the most suitable solution based on the context and circumstances on the ground. This will usher in licensing of the newer radio technologies such as the long-awaited 5G data speeds and more access to fiber to the home. However, the government was not clear on how it will embrace ” the mixing of technologies “.
Among the cabinet resolutions, the government also wants to stimulate demand for broadband services by promoting innovation, supporting the development, and deployment of relevant services in addition to raising public awareness and sensitization.
Finally and most importantly, the cabinet agreed to drive down costs of access to gadgets such as smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, and tablets by promoting local manufacture and assembly of equipment rather than reducing taxes of the existing internet device brands that are imported into the country.
