Rwanda Telecommunications Sector Performance Review 2007

Rwanda
Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) Scada control system on the entire 110 kV
and 70 kV transmission system with extensive excess capacity.
FIGURE 1: ELECTROGAZ FIBRE NETWORK AS PROPOSED BY DRAKA
EAST AFRICAN SUBMARINE CABLE SYSTEM
(EASSY)
EASSy is a proposed project to link seven coastal countries in East
Africa, including: Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia,
South Africa and Tanzania (the “EASSy anchor countries”) with a fibre
optic cable. In addition, 15 other East African countries, including
Rwanda, wish to connect to EASSy through terrestrial cables. Rwanda
will be connected by the East Africa Backbone System (EABS) shown in
Figure 2. The estimated cost of EASSy is US$300 million and an additional
US$300 million for the connection of the 15 inland countries. The
GoR has agreed to commit US$10 million to the project.
The initiative will improve the connectivity of the region to the rest of the
world for both voice and data communications. Instead of paying high
charges for international connection through a transit point, operators
in the region can establish direct connections, which promises decreases
in operating costs for international telecommunications. This further
implies other important benefits to the ultimate African consumers and
34 2007 Telecommunications Sector Performance Review