Somalia launches network center to offer free internet for federal institutions

MOGADISHU, Aug. 28 — The Somalia government has opened network
operations center (NOC), the first of its kind for the Horn of Africa
nation to provide free internet for federal institutions.

Abdi Ashur Hassan, Minister for Posts, Telecom and Technology who
officially opened the centre late on Saturday, said the service would help
the ministry reclaim its role as technology services provider for
government institutions. “We acknowledge that Internet service we offer
does not cover the needs of the federal institutions in terms of both the
number of those covered and the bandwidth speeds each site is allocated
for,” Hassan said. “However, we will work with our partners in expanding
the service in the near future,” he added. Deputy Prime Minister, Mahdi
Guled said the centre is aimed at providing free Internet services to 26
federal government agencies in different parts of the capital Mogadishu.
“Supported by the World Bank, the NOC provides secure and reliable
connection to the Internet and a dedicated service, which will offer 24/7
support, monitoring, and troubleshooting for government entities,” Guled
said.

The inauguration comes after Somalia’s both Houses have approved the
National Communications Act to regulate the country’s telecommunication
sector. The telecommunications bill calls for the creation of telecoms
regulatory authority, development of the country with telecommunications
technology, protecting corporate and consumer rights and more participation
by private sectors in developing the sector. The Minister of education
Abdirahman Dahir Osman Dr Osman Guled, said the free Internet services are
helping the ministries and other institutions to improve productivity,
efficiency and effectiveness. – XINHUA