MCT pilot projects
Sengerema, Tanzania
Small and
micro enterprises have been quick to seize income-generating opportunities in Sengerema
since the establishment of the MCTand the
opening of three gold mines in the area
ITU
950041/A. de Ferron
|
Assistance to this project, whose
national executing agency is the Tanzania Commission for Science and
Technology (COSTECH), only started in August 2000; the MCT became operational in
December that year in temporary premises with used computers and connected to
the Internet through a dial-up link.
ITU assisted the TTCL in acquiring a digital switch for
Sengerema to connect the MCT to the telecommunication network. Some unforeseen
technical issues delayed the commissioning of the switch, which has now been set
right by the supplier and became fully operational in December 2001. A
telecentre manager and two trainers were recruited in 2001, along with
maintenance and security staff. A Local Steering Committee was established, and
computer training was initiated for members of the community, free of charge for
a core user group from development sectors and on a fee basis for others. Since
it began operations, the telecentre has earned some USD 7000 from training fees.
The temporary premises were enlarged, pending the construction of the new
permanent building in 2002.
|
The MCT in
Malanville was opened in a temporary locality in August 2001, with the Office
des Postes et Télécommunications (OPT) as the national executing agency.
Three staff members were recruited and three microcomputers and a photocopier
have been acquired. A permanent building is about to be completed, and tenders
have been announced for the remaining MCT equipment. ITU support to the project
involves assistance with the installation of a VSAT (very small aperture
terminal) and telemedicine.
|
The MCT currently experiences problems with Internet access
because of the old analogue system and power fluctuations at Sengerema. The
Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) is planning a new backbone,
including a spur route to Sengerema, which it is hoped will be operational in
late 2002.
Members of the Sengerema Informal Sector Association are
among the major users of the MCT facilities. They include metal workers,
carpenters, farmers and artisans. The opening of the MCT coincided with that of
three gold mines in the area, resulting in economic activity that has created
income-generating opportunities. Small and micro enterprises have been quick to
seize these opportunities. Some 30 members have received computer training at
the MCT, and several of them can now send and receive e-mail messages to locate
buyers and suppliers. An interesting anecdote relates to downloading the
catalogue of a leading international furniture maker, the effect of which is
seen in the furniture now being made by the local carpenters.
|
