Ugandas global recognition in the field of satellite technology will get a facelift when the country hosts a major telecom meet in July
The 35th Assembly of Parties International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (ITSO) meeting, which will be held in Kampala from July 3-6, 2012, will be aimed at protecting satellite technology.
Despite the launching of several undersea fibre optic cables, satellite offers a necessary backup, especially for landlocked countries like Uganda, whenever there is a failure in the link to the submarine fibre optic cable systems.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to inaugurate the conference, which is being held in Africa for the first time.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) pointed out that it would be a crucial meeting because several major decisions would be taken on implementation of satellite technology, its future and usage.
A statement from UCC said, “The most important decision is in respect of the future of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (ITSO) agreement because it has a provision for possible termination after the initial 12 years from the date of transfer of ITSO’s space system to Intelsat in 2001.
“In essence, the assembly will have to decide on the need for continuing with the imposition of public service obligations on the private company and what would subsequently take place with respect to the common heritage assets of the parties if the agreement were to be terminated,” the statement added.
