New IT company launches optic fiber pilot project in Juba

September 22, 2010 (JUBA) – South Sudan will soon have its first ever fiber-optic pilot project, earmarked for its provincial capital Juba, courtesy of Crosslines Communications Limited (CCL), a registered company providing electronic communication services.

Fiber optic communication takes advantage of the high band width, or data capacity, of optical fibers which can transmit electronic information over long distances quickly and without electromagnetic interference.

Initially organized as a sub-division of Ascom Group, Moldova, Crosslines Communication performs a range of works, such as design, construction and maintenance of communication networks work countries including Kenya, Iraq, Romania, Moldova, Kazakhstan and now South Sudan.

Mircea Gherciu, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) told Sudan Tribune that implementation of the pilot project will be done under the Ministry of Telecommunication and Postal Services, with support from the Energy, Mining and Mineral Development Ministry and Southern Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC).

The company will expand the fiber optic network over all of Juba.

According the DED, the German Development Service, “In most places in Juba, there is no tap water, or only from time to time. Most people have a water container or tank and buy water from the Nile which is brought in water lorries. This water is far from clean, I would not even drink it when it is filtered and boiled.“

Crossline’s CEO said, “The pilot project provides for the interconnection into one common optic fiber network the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Energy and Mining, Ministry of Regional Cooperation, Ministry of Telecommunication and Postal Services, Juba power station and the University of Juba.”

During the first phase of the project, the technical characteristics of the network will be tested and its maximum capacity errors, if any, corrected. The next phase will target the South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) and other ministries. All these shall be interconnected to this highs speed and secured ‘data’ transportation network.

As part of the testing program, a live webcam will be installed in the courtyard of Juba University, effective October 1, 2010. Any internet user accessing www.southsudantoday.info, shall be able to see live footage of the university.

(ST)