Offering regional and national programs, CIO (and CSO) events bring together some of the most respected names and thought leaders in information technology and security. Presented by CIOs and other senior level executives, these invitation-only programs offer timely topics and strong networking. Learn More »
Public Council Teleconference: Application Rationalization — Hidden Costs and Smart Decisions
November 17 at 11:00 am US/Eastern (GMT-5)
Join Honorio Padrón, of The Hackett Group, who will share the drivers for companies to tackle application rationalization and the results of research that define the hidden cost of complexity. Additionally, we will discuss key decision milestones—to start or not, holding the course steady and fulfilling expectations.
Virtual Desktop Cost-Benefit Analysis — Michael Jacobs, Catlin Group
The analysis contained in this presentation measures the cost of everything from the machines and licenses to the infrastructure for virtual vs. traditional desktop environments.
Honor your best senior team members - Apply for the CIO Ones to Watch Award
Get well-earned public recognition for your top up-and-coming team members, your IT organization and your enterprise. Award winners will be announced, publicized and feted in May 2010, great timing to help attract new IT recruits to your company.
Learn more about the CIO Executive Council »April 02, 2008 — IDG News Service —
Uganda is staying away from the African regional broadband infrastructure project managed by the e-Africa Commission, claiming the initiative's guidelines may prevent its national telecommunications company from investing in the project.
The e-Africa Commission, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, operates under the aegis of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad). The commission's broadband infrastructure protocol calls for the signatories to implement various network integration projects, and provides a framework for regulatory issues.
The pact, dubbed the Kigali Protocol, came into force last month after being ratified by Malawi. Malawi brought the total number of countries that have ratified the protocol to seven. But Uganda says more time for consultation with service providers in the country is needed before deciding whether to withdraw completely or join the project.
Ugandan Minister of ICT Hams Muliira said ratification of the protocol by Uganda would essentially be inviting Uganda Telecom Company to invest in the project, but the protocol does not specify whether or not the company, in fact, may invest. Uganda Telecom Company is a state-run telecom company.
"Ratification of the protocol means doors are open to interested companies to participate by expressing interest in the protocol. But the clauses of the protocol do not specify whether or not Ugandan Telecom would go in as an investor," Muliira said.
The protocol is aimed at enabling eastern and southern African governments to harmonize their national policies and regulations to facilitate the construction and operation of infrastructure. However, the Ugandan government has criticized the clause of the protocol that requires countries to harmonize their policies and has threatened to withdraw from the project if that wording is not changed.
If Uganda decides to completely withdraw from the project, the e-Africa commission can still go ahead, but countries that have not yet signed up may get discouraged, leading to the disintegration of the project.
The broadband infrastructure network (project) has been split into two networks, including UHURUNET, a submarine cable, and UMOJANET, a terrestrial cable segment. The two networks will be managed by the SPV (special purpose vehicle) BAHARICOM, a consortium made up of regional telecommunication to own, manage and maintain various projects.
The other major Nepad project is Comtel, a broadband infrastructure project managed with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa). Comtel aims to link eastern and southern Africa to Europe and Asia.
The total cost of the network infrastructure projects is more than US$2 billion.