State-controlled fixed and mobile operator Uganda Telecom Ltd (UTL) has signed a partnership agreement with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) designed to improve data capacity and boost internet access speeds. WIOCC, which is owned by 14 African telcos – including UTL – provides a range of wholesale services to carriers, ISPs, over-the-top (OTT) players and content providers throughout Africa. It controls 55,000km of terrestrial infrastructure and is also an investor in submarine cable networks such as EASSy.
James Wekesa, Chief Commercial Officer at WIOCC, is quoted by IT News Africa as saying: ‘WIOCC supports UTL on its transmission backhaul between Mombasa and Kampala [and] also provides UTL with quick restoration options through alternative routes in case of any interruption in traffic.’ He added: ‘For UTL, this means being able to deliver reliable and affordable internet to the whole of Uganda – for government agencies, corporate [clients], SMEs and homes – through both wireline and wireless technologies.’
