Uganda´s National Transmission Backbone Infrastructure project: Technical challenges and way forward

Several publications such as media articles have pointed out key technical challenges facing Uganda´s National Transmission Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) project. The challenges emanate from the use of G652 instead of other fiber-optic cable types like the G655 fiber-optic cable. However, the articles do not suggest ways of addressing the technical limitations of the project. This paper uses an exploratory, quantitative and analytical approach to evaluate the goals of the project, and the already deployed part of the infrastructure, and compares the evaluation results, against the technical capability of the backbone, based on global backbone infrastructure performance benchmarks. A survey of previous work and results from related studies form inputs to a grounded theory-based hypothesis formulation. The paper highlights the national demand of bandwidth by all anticipated users such as government ministries, universities, schools, health centers, administrative headquarters and private sector entities. The findings of the study are validated through comparisons with results of investigations carried out on similar projects in developing countries. Finally the paper suggests ways of addressing the challenges of the NBI project using alternatives such as the use of Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) repeaters after shorter distances, leasing bandwidth from private companies to cater for the deficit, use of microwave links for redundancy, setting up a Network Operation Center (NOC) for operation and maintenance, and deployment of WiMAX as a last mile solution.