INTERNET GOVERNANCE IN THE NEW GAMBIA National Broadband Network (NBN) Project Mrs. Olley Bittaye Cham- Telecoms Engineer on Behalf of Pamodou Gassama – Project Coordinator

Brief Background of the project Start date : 1st September 2017 End date : 30th December 2018 Project total cost : USD 25 millions

Project Objectives Extend current ECOWAN network to increase the geographic scope of access to broadband services to communities currently not served. Create new fiber optic based distribution networks around the country. Upgrade the capacities of all ECOWAN backhaul and Access links as well as create additional upgraded links. Deploy a National Data Centre.

Project Scope of Works Deploy an additional 420 Km of Fiber Optic Cable Access Links and Distribution Networks from 31 Central Office locations (COLs) located around the country. All ECOWAN IP Core Networks are to be upgraded to capacities of 40 Gbps and 31 additional sites of 10G for the access Networks installed in these COLs to manage their local traffic. Create 107 Fiber Distribution Terminals(FDTs) to be connected from the 31 Central Office Locations.

Project Scope of Works Create 358 Fiber Access Terminals (FATs) to provide connectivity to homes, offices and Mobile networks. The new fiber Networks will enable Gamtel to connect high speed BB access to over 5,000 homes, 300 Offices/Businesses and 60 Mobile Base Stations around the country. Provide necessary Training

Project Scope of Works The (GBA) backhaul ring capacity of 2.5 Gbps is to be upgraded to its full design capacity of 10 Gbps and create an additional fully equipped 10 Gbps backhaul ring. The West Brikama, East A and East B rings that had design capacities of 2.5 Gbps but activated at STM – 4 (622 Mbps) capacities are to be upgraded to 2.5 Gbps and a new 10 Gbps ring added to increase Gamtel backhaul capacity to 12.5 Gbps for the rest of the country.

Project Scope of Works Upgrade all Primary Access links from the ECOWAN backhaul rings to Gamtel’s Central Office Locations to 10 Gbps links. All Secondary Access links from Gamtel’s Central Office Locations are to be equipped at 1 Gbps 11) Optimize all Power and Environment Systems to cope with the new traffic.

Project Scope of Works 12) Deploy a national data center: Provide 200 virtual server (4vCPU, 8GB memory, 40GB System Volume, 1TB Data Disk Volume), which can be used for storage and rent to other companies ; such as, Email, Office, Call Center CRM, Data Base . Provide 300 VDI (4GB memory,40GB System Volume,500GB Data Disk Volume), which can be used for storage and rent to customers such as, Email, Office, Call Center CRM, Data Base .

Planned NBN Architecture

(Source: Huawei, the contractor) Disbursements Disbursement level of the project (%): 83.47% disbursed by contractor in the form of equipment and services. Actual disbursement from Jan-Jun 2018: Actual disbursed by contractor USD 5,335,290.00 Undisbursed balance: USD 4,132,655.00 (Source: Huawei, the contractor)

Successes/achievements All necessary capacity upgrades have been completed and Preliminary Acceptance Tests carried out successfully. All Station equipment including Power and Environment Systems are in place and Preliminary Acceptance Tests successfully carried out as Stand Alone Systems while the implementation of the remaining network components are being deployed.

Successes/achievements New National Data Centre installed, PAT performed and PAC issued. More than 50% of the required civil works have been successfully completed.

Key Challenges Initial feasibility study provided by contractor Implementation Schedule of Contractor and rush to implement Unavailability of maps of NAWEC underground infrastructure in many areas of the NBN implementation sites Some Key issues regarding the contract such as use of PACs for disbursement to contractor

Way forward Preliminary meeting of all Key stakeholders prior to actual commencement of project Formalization of all important correspondence between Key Stakeholders Confirmation of assumptions and engagement with other key stakeholders such as NAWEC, NRA and other LGAs Sensitization of the general public prior to implementation of such infrastructure projects

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