The President of the American Chamber of Commerce, Meg Hilbert Jaquay, emphasized the need for universal ICT access as a right for every Ugandan in an era where the world is increasingly interconnected and reliant on information and communication technology (ICT). Addressing the importance of ICT infrastructure, Jaquay urged the Ugandan government to demonstrate commitment to creating an enabling environment for the ICT sector.
Jaquay highlighted the pivotal role played by the ICT sector in modern societies and economies, asserting that access to ICT should be a fundamental right. The digital divide in Uganda, evident between urban and rural areas, as well as among the educated and uneducated in urban centers, was acknowledged. Jaquay stressed the urgency of addressing this divide to ensure equitable global access to ICT for all Ugandans.
Mark Turyamureba, the head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at ATC Uganda, offered insights into the transformation of Uganda’s internet connectivity landscape. He emphasized the inefficiency of each Internet Service Provider constructing its infrastructure to meet specific client needs, citing the high costs involved.
Turyamureba advocated for infrastructure sharing as a solution to bring down the cost of connectivity. By sharing infrastructure, the unit cost decreases as more people utilize the service. He emphasized the evolution of the market and the role of the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) in opening up the country for investment.
The shift towards infrastructure sharing has enabled the efficient setup of one tower infrastructure that multiple service providers can subscribe to, fostering collaboration and reducing redundancy. This approach has prompted mobile telephone operators to focus on their core business of providing data and airtime services, leading to increased efficiency and profitability.
