African Regional Conference for the WSIS Pre-Conference Activities

Workshop on Information Society and Regulation:

Access and Infrastructure

By Peter K KenduiywoTelkom Kenya

EASSyEasterm Africa Submarine Cable System

Accra International Conference Centre30 January 2005

Overview1.Introduction2.Background3.Project Overview

3.1 Project Status3.2 Key Milestones3.3 Sources of Finance3.4 Way Forward

4. EADTP – Linking EASSy to the Hinterland

5.Contacts

1. Introduction

The Eastern Africa Submarine System (EASSy): optic undersea cable system connecting the

region with the rest of the world. commercially viable, robust and reliable

undersea cable will provide the owners with significant opportunity to benefit directly from international traffic.

International traffic is expected to grow substantially as a higher quality, more reliable, and lower cost undersea system offsets the limitations of traditional satellite communications.

2. Background

The 15 MOU Parties driving the project are from the

following countries:-

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Madagascar, Rwanda, Somalia.

Membership also expected from the following countries : -

Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eritrea, and Burundi

Eastern Africa Submarine System

Toliary

Durban

Background cont.

NEPAD has identified EASSy as a priority project for the enhancement of ICT infrastructure in the region.

The regional governments believe that a robust and reliable international telecommunications link will have significant benefits for the citizens of the region in the following ways:-

Stimulating investment and economic growth, Providing a more reliable international

communications,

Background cont.

EASSy will link to the global submarine cable network through other regional undersea systems including SAT3, SAFE, SEA-ME-WE 3 and SEA-ME-WE 4.

EASSy will provide the last link to completely encircle Africa by high capacity optic fibre telecommunications networks.

The project has broad based support from the telecommunications industry, business community, and regional governments.

SAT-3/WASC

SAFE

SEA ME WE 3

20

Global Connectivity

EASSy

Background cont. Will result in competitive prices for

international connectivity

The objectives support the ultimate goals of reducing poverty and increasing economic opportunity for the citizens of the Region and in the efforts to facilitate the attainment of the UN MDGs

EASSy promises a new era of better quality services at reduced operational costs and user charges.

3. Project Overview The Cable system will connect Mtunzini,

located just north of Durban, in South Africa to Port Sudan, in Sudan a distance of about 9,900Km.

Other eight landing stations are planned for Maputo - Mozambique, Toliary - Madagascar, Dar-Es-Salaam – Tanzania, Zanzibar – Tanzania, Mombasa – Kenya, Mogadishu – Somalia, Djibouti – Djibouti, and Massawa – Eritrea.

3.1 Project Status

Detailed Feasibility Study (DFS) by AXIOM of France began mid-November 2004 and currently in progress.

DFS to be completed mid-March 2005.

Interim DFS report from AXIOM is expected in February 2005.

Drafting Commercial Terms and Conditions, Technical Specification for the supply of the system, Tender documents and drafting of evaluation Procedures have been completed.

PMC is in the process of appointing a financial advisor/legal counsel.

3.2Project Milestones

Sign MOU Q4 2003 Agree on Configuration Q4 2004 Issue Invitation to Tender Q4 2004 Financial Closing Q1 2005 Sign Supply Contract & C&MA Q4

2005 Cable RFCS Q2 2007

3.3 Way Forward and Critical Elements to meet milestones

Development of Marketing strategy in progress

Appointment of Financial Adviser/ legal counsel for the parties by end February 2005: -

To define and implement project structure To carry out road show to financiers

through Information Memorandum Development of Capacity Pricing and

Incentives for investors. The 1st Data Gathering Meeting April 2005. Financial Closing by April 2005 Issuance of Tender May 2005.

3.4 Financing Options

Sources of Finance

Legible MOU Parties- Equity Strategic Investors- Global carriers Loans to meet financial gap

4. East Africa Digital Transmission System

(EADTS)

Linking EASSy to the hinterland

Mbarara

Tanga

new site

Kilulu

Morogoro

Malaba

Tororo

Nairobi

Mombasa

Dodoma

Mutukula

Eldoret

Masaka

Bukoba

Mbale

Arusha

Kyebe

Nakuru

KampalaJinja

Muhoroni

KerichoKisumu

Nyamanyama

Nyashana

Uganda Kenya

Tanzania

fibre optic cable

mw/radio link

existing mw network

border

Manyoni

Bungoma

S. HillLemeipot(new site)

Oldinka Losayale(new site)

Lengijawe

Lolkisale

Sangaiwe (new site)

Singo

Mengali

Marambao

Kimbogolo (new site)

Chenene

Kivumoni

Maragoli Forest

Samia

GeitaR.S.

Mwalolala

Ikoka

Kiziru

Rubya

Karambi

Mrangeizinew site

Matale

Voi

Sultan Hamud

Naivasha

Longonot E/S

Timboroa

Themi Hill

Kondoa

Babati

Geita P.O

Muleba Mwanza

Imagi Hill

Oleserewa

Dar-es-Salaam

Namanga

Ilemelevu (new site)

Nyakasiko(new site)

Nyabubele Hill(new site)

Sengerema

Fibre Cable and Radio Link Routes

East Africa Digital Transmission System (EADTS)

KENYA FIBER PORTION OF THE EAST AFRICA BACKHAUL TRANSMISSION LINK

Malaba

Nairobi

Mombasa

Eldoret

Nakuru

Muhoroni

Kericho

Kisumu

Bungoma

Voi

Mtito-Andei

Naivasha

Longonot E/S

Timboroa

Project Overview • Within Kenya

• Basic EADTS Configuration is a SDH transmission system:

• from Mombasa to Malaba (Kenya-Uganda border) through Nairobi with Spurs to major towns within the country.

Status of the project Phase 1 of the project consists of system from

Nairobi to Mombasa.

Contract for this phase has been awarded and work is expected to start February 2005.

Phase 2 of the project consists of system from Nairobi to Malaba (Kenya –Uganda border).

Telkom Kenya in partnership with Kenya Power & Lighting Co. Ltd are in the process of jointly developing phase 2.

Status of the project cont.

Project is planned to be completed ahead of of the EASSy System as it is one of the regional backhaul links upon which EASSy will heavily depend.

4. Contacts Project Secretariat Simon A. Olawo Telkom Kenya, Telposta Towers, 24th Floor,

Kenyatta Av. P.O Box 30301, GPO, Nairobi Kenya TEL: +254 20 316167, FAX: +254 20 310104, E-mail: solawo@telkom.co.ke

Project Coordinator John Sihra TEL: +353 1 668 5205, FAX: +353 1 660 4840 Mob: : +353 87 259 3966 E-mail: jsihra@hentelint.com

• Website www.eassy.org

THANK YOU