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Minister Frank Tumwebaze has challenged the newly elected Director-General of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) Patrick Masambu to push for the provision of cheap satellite services to low developed countries in the next four years.
“The biggest policy agenda at the table of ITSO that Masambu should champion is the question of making satellite accessible, universal and affordable, especially by the geographically least empowered regions like Africa and small island states,” said Tumwebaze.
Tumwebaze, Uganda’s Minister of Information, Communication, Technology (ICT) and National Guidance addressed a press conference at the Media Centre on Monday at which he said the provision of cheap satellite services should be high on the agenda. He revealed that effective satellite communication remains an expensive venture for many African and island nations.
He noted that satellite communication remains key despite the existence of alternatives like optic fiber cables.
“Yes, we have alternatives like optic fiber cables that indeed offer cheaper solutions compared to satellite but they are limited in many respects. Our only last resort is satellite communication.”
Masambu, who previously served as deputy director general and director of technical affairs for the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), was elected director-general of the organization at a meeting held in Washington last week.
Masambu is the former chairman of the Council of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO), and worked for 10 years as CEO of the Uganda Communications Commission regulatory agency.
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