The Central African Republic has launched a EUR 33.3 million national fiber optic network project, reports ITNewsafrica. The project is being funded by the European Union and the African Development Bank (AfDB), which are also co-financing the Trans-Saharan Fibre-Optic Backbone to interconnect Algeria, Niger, Nigeria and Chad.
CAR's minister of posts and telecoms Justin Gourna Zacko said that over the past two years, the quality of telecoms and ICT services in the country had improved because of the introduction of 3G services. Zacko said that once completed, the fibre project would improve the quantity and quality of telecoms services while lowering cost for end users.
The project, executed via a public-private partnership, will connect Bangui with Berberati via Baoro and Carnot. Two ramps will also connect the CAR to Cameroon from Berberati-Gamboula. Congo Brazzaville will be connected from Berberati-Bayanga and Bomassa. A total of 1,100 km of fibre optic infrastructure will be laid and the project is scheduled to be completed in 2021.