EASSy to launch in August
However, before the work begins, the EASSy secretariat on Thursday formed a task force to solve the last hurdle, which involves issues surrounding internal cabling in landlocked countries.
"These issues have not been resolved, and the assignment has been left for the task force," said M A Jama of Dalkom Telecommunication at the close of a stakeholders’ meeting in Nairobi.
Jama said landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi wanted clear policies and regulations governing the management and interconnection rates. Under the EASSy memorandum of understanding, two blocks were formed to cater for countries on the northern side and those on the eastern side.
Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea formed the northern block while Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Africa formed the eastern block.
EASSy brings together 23 countries in Southern and East Africa with the objective of launching the cable to cut telecommunication costs. The 9 900km cable would link Durban in South Africa and Port Sudan in Sudan, with six landing points along the way.
A sticking point, which was agreed at the meeting, was the formation of a hybrid special purpose vehicle (HSPV) to drive the process forward. Chairman of the EASSy secretariat, Sammy Kirui said the HSPV would accommodate both investors in the project who do not have money, but can borrow from development finance institutions and those with their own money.
Kirui said the contract to start construction work would ready for signing next week. While speaking on behalf of governments, Zambia’s deputy communications minister, Kisukumia Chabakola, said the project would lower telecommunication costs drastically.
The World Bank country director, Colin Bruce said cheap telecommunication would help Africa leapfrog into the 21st century.
"Now that EASSy is about to become a reality, do we have the capacity to take full advantage of the infrastructure?" asked Bruce.
The delay of the project had led to private firms like Kenya Data Networks and the Kenyan government to seek alternative connections.
On Wednesday, the government said it preferred multiple cables to link Mombasa with the rest of the world. Communications minister Mutahi Kagwe gave the government’s position, saying that many cables would spur competition and offer affordable and reliable communication services.
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