Regulator or Mobile Network Provider (MNO)? One may be wondering why the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has embarked on rolling out it’s own 22 3G base stations in Jinja. The commission says that this is all in the name of broadband connectivity as part of the the 3rd Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF) Policy that focuses on broadband rollout. These 3G base stations were launched yesterday at Namaganga in Jinja. This is a significant shift from the earlier projects implemented during the First and Second RCDF Policies that focused on access and usage of communication respectively.
Well, UCC’s intentions are good but where do they leave the MNOs? The core of the current RCDF Policy is to roll out Broadband services in unserved and underserved areas throughout the country in line with Uganda’s vision 2040 and the National Development Plan II because these two national agenda’s both recognize Broadband connectivity as critical for economic growth and as an enabler for socio-economic development.
To drive the development of a robust communications sector in Uganda, the Commission under the Rural Communications Development Fund is increasing broadband access in the Unserved and underserved areas all over the country. This included these 22 3G base stations that will help to reduce rural connectivity challenges and advance broadband connectivity goals set forth by the Government of Uganda.
While there has been unprecedented growth within the communications sector in recent years, characterized by advancements in broadband technologies, some Ugandans are still not connected to broadband due to geographical, technological and financial challenges.
MTN did the implementation
The 3G base stations project was financed by the Uganda Communications Commission through the RCDF and implemented by MTN Uganda. The fund contributed over UGX 3 billion as a subsidy towards these upgrades. Some existing base stations were upgraded from 2G to 3G while others have newly been built to deliver 3G connectivity. Many questions come in mind. Was there fair bidding for this project? What was it based on?
Broadband goals
This intervention directly addresses the infrastructure and connectivity thematic area of the National Broadband Policy which according to UCC is also one of the RCDF III Strategic focus areas. The key targets from the thematic areas include;
- Minimum broadband speeds of 3Mbps by 2020
- Broadband access penetration of 50% and 100% in villages and urban areas respectively
- 100% access to District and Sub-county headquarters, Health centre IVs, tertiary Institutions and Secondary schools
- Cost per Mbps of broadband in relation to average income reduced to 10% by 2020
Area of coverage for these 3G base stations
The 22 3G base stations locations that have benefited from this project are the following:
Kikuube (Kiswazi); Kyegegwa (Munsambya); Kamwenge (Kabuga); Ntungamo (Nyakyera); Bushenyi (Ryensibo); Kibingo (kabutsye); Bwera (Bikunya); Kabale (nyakihanga); Kibaale (Kakindo); Ibanda (Rwengwe); Kisoro (nyakarambi); Mityana (Butagunju); Kumi (Ongino); Kalangala (Kalangala); Abim (Nyakwae); Buhweju (Nsiika); Buikwe (Senyi); Kalangala (Bubeke); Kotido (Nakapelimoru); Kiruhura (Kitura); Jinja (Busede); Katakwi (Usuk)
