Telecom company, Airtel Uganda has partnered with Simplifi Networks and ISBAT University to create awareness about internet, especially among students.
During a session held at Isbat University, students, ICT enthusiasts, out-of-school youths and community members listened to experts as they discussed how the internet works
“I have been asked this question many times why the cost of internet in Uganda is higher than that on the US. The first reason is that we are a landlocked country . The closest the submarine cable is to us is Mombasa or Dar es Salaam. Therefore, there is the cost of laying fibre connecting the site which is money and the fibre connecting to the submarine cable in Mombasa or Dar es Salaam. That’s more money and then we need to pay for the bandwidth on the submarine cable as well.With all these costs, we basically try and see how do we still manage to get affordable internet to Uganda,” All Ssemakula, Airtel’s Enterprise Development Manager told the audience.
Speaking to journalists, he said the partnership will help facilitate the breakdown of the would be complex issues to users and in the long run improve usability.
“We recognize the complexities technology imposes on the users, and it’s our duty to break it down for them. Technological awareness I much needed among users in Uganda, and this partnership will facilitate it,” says Ssemakula.
Kenneth Stober, the Simplifi CEO said that they aim at engaging the average users and the general public with key internet aspects like connectivity, band width, accessibility, and help them understand the practical use of ISP (3G, 4G, and 5G).
“The tech talks bring an opportunity to get new insights and ideas from an array of interactive and learning sessions with leading professionals to increase awareness on the new trending technologies in the market and attract appreciation” Stober said.