Plans are underway to create a national economy at Karisimbi when the infrastructure is fully developed because many services can be hosted. “There is high potential when it’s fully implemented because in the region Rwanda is the only country with a high site – about 4507m and with infrastructure on it,” said Regis Gatarayiha, the project manager.The important infrastructures include the power tower, internet throughout the summit, screenshot of the new Windows version and the fiber optic.The ability to control the continent’s air traffic and navigation, especially in the Comesa countries, has the most potential depending on the capability of air traffic from those countries.The Karisimbi navigation and broadcasting antennas will be the highest on the African continent with potential to control the continent’s air navigation.The Communication Navigation Surveillance Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM) was initiated by Rwanda and the Comesa council was interested by the proposal. They decided to sell the idea to other Comesa countries. The proposed master plan is expected to be conducted after all countries approve at a cost of US$800.000 (equivalent to Frw440,000,000) and funds are mobilised from the African Development Bank (ADB). Other Comesa countries had the idea and the move is to be harmonised.The infrastructure is yet to be developed and the next big step would be moving towards a service provider.“The infrastructure itself is not that important but the advantage is the height which gives it a mast that would enhance IT development in the country and the great possibility to reach all parts of the country and in the region,” said Gatarayiha.Some of the potentials have been registered by the local Frequency Modulation (FM) stations and TV signal coverage across the country especially in the Western and Northern region, after the installation of transmitters to widen coverage for national and international broadcasting.Currently locals who were isolated can now access Rwanda Television signals through the Digital Video Broadcast Terrestrial (DVBT) which was implemented at the Karisimbi summit.Demonstration (DVBT) started in 2006 and currently, national and international broadcasters are benefiting from the project including TVR, CNN, SABC Africa and BBC.It is through the DVBT that Rwanda hopes to broadcast the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.“Rwanda is the first country in Africa in Digital Video Broadcast Terrestrial and that’s why we can make it during SA 2010 World Cup to sell the service to the people and in the region,” said Gatarayiha. South Africa however, intends to install it to ease broadcasting during 2010. Another service to be hosted by Karisimbi infrastructure is the provision of broadband internet services using Karisimbi signals.Being a digital signal, Gatarayiha said it would give broad coverage and it would be easy to limit it to eligible users, unlike cable or wireless internet. The project is said to be completed at the end of this year.To cover most parts of the country, Karisimbi would connect to other high sites like Jari, Huye and Karongi.Other Projects in the pipeline include the Meteorological Information and Disaster Management and Virtual Tourism.“We can’t take up all the projects at once, we have to have some implemented because more are to come in the course of moving from infrastructure Development to service provider,” he said. “When Karisimbi moves from infrastructure development to service provider, staff will be required because currently it’s understaffed because the project is still in trials or pilot services but I am confident that Rwandans can do better in the venture when trained.”The project’s objective is to integrate with other national backbone infrastructure initiatives like EASSy, TERRACOM, Artel and MTN Networks, Electrogaz fibre network, ORINFOR and international broadcasting services, into a National Communications Infrastructure Backbone.Ends
