African Telecommunications Day
In rural areas, geographical dispersion is combined with low telephone penetration rates. Topographic conditions amplify the difficulties. Two phenomena, however, have acted to improve this situation: firstly the state's desire to offer an identical service to all, a factor of economic development and national unity, then the spectacular technological progress of the last twenty years which has made possible the production of high-performance, reliable and more economical equipment.
Due to the similarity of the problems posed by rural telecommunications across the continent, there is the advantage of addressing the difficulties on a regional basis, hence the interest in harmonizing the efforts of African countries.
Furthermore, the interdependence of multiple factors requires, due to the extent and complexity of the problems posed, the implementation of an integrated solution which in any case exceeds the financial resources or technical capacities of African countries when they act in isolation.
It is in this context of growing awareness that efforts are being made by the Pan-African Telecommunications Coordination Committee (Panaftel), made up of representatives of the OAU, the ECA, the AfDB, the UPAT and the ITU, to achieve the objectives of the Arusha Declaration which stipulates: “(…) Allow all people to have easy access to the telephone from the start of the next century”.
Note also the launch, this year, of the feasibility study of the Rascom (Regional African Satellite Communication System) project aimed at meeting the priority needs of the African continent.
Due to the similarity of the problems posed by rural telecommunications across the continent, there is the advantage of addressing the difficulties on a regional basis, hence the interest in harmonizing the efforts of African countries.
Furthermore, the interdependence of multiple factors requires, due to the extent and complexity of the problems posed, the implementation of an integrated solution which in any case exceeds the financial resources or technical capacities of African countries when they act in isolation.
It is in this context of growing awareness that efforts are being made by the Pan-African Telecommunications Coordination Committee (Panaftel), made up of representatives of the OAU, the ECA, the AfDB, the UPAT and the ITU, to achieve the objectives of the Arusha Declaration which stipulates: “(…) Allow all people to have easy access to the telephone from the start of the next century”.
Note also the launch, this year, of the feasibility study of the Rascom (Regional African Satellite Communication System) project aimed at meeting the priority needs of the African continent.