By CHIMPREPORTS
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has launched a new solar-powered telecom site in Lapono, Agago district to address network access gaps.
The site was launched on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 by UCC executive director Nyombi Thembo together with the Minister of ICT Hon. Chris Baryomunsi. The site is under UCC’s Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
Nyombi says licensed network service providers tend to prioritize economically viable areas, leaving maby rural areas unserved. He adds that the UCUSAF Access Infrastructure Program targets such areas, that have been left out.
“Our licensed providers naturally tend to prioritize economically viable areas, which leaves many rural and hard-to-reach areas unserved. That’s where UCC ‘s UCUSAF Access Infrustructure Program comes in,” he says
Nyombi further says that the Government of Uganda is committed to extending telecommunication services to all its citizens, regardless of their physical location, economic status, and physical abilities.
UCC-Boss notes that, while the program already rolls out 2G-Sites and upgrades some to 3G, the launch of the new site raises awareness of a new batch of 63 sites being rolled out by Towerco Africa.
“While this program has already rolled out 2G-Sites and upgraded 2G-to-3G-Sites in the past, this launch raises awareness of a new batch of 63 sites being rolled out by Towerco Of Africa,” he added.
The Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), formerly the Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF), was created in 2002 as both a regulatory tool and a semi-autonomous ICT development entity.
The fund’s primary objective is to enhance access and usage of ICTs in unserved and underserved areas, where the licensed telecom companies find it challenging to deploy because of the commercial unviability of the areas.
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