Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has officially launched Free Wi-Fi Internet access points at over 5 border points in Uganda. Launched through the Rural Communication Development Fund (RCDF), the commission aims at improving Internet connectivity in low coverage areas.
Just like NITA-U which has excelled in building a National Backbone Interface connecting all regions in Uganda, UCC’s goal is to connect people at border points to reliable yet free Wi-Fi Internet points.
Having announced the project earlier this year, Blue Crane Communications Limited– a local Internet service provider, won the bid to provide broadband services at UCC’s designated border points.
At the moment, Border points that will get the free Wi-Fi hotspots include: Mutukula (Kyotera District), Bunagana(Kisoro district), Malaba (Tororo District), Elegu(Amuru district) and Vuraa (Arua District).
Rocking at approximate speeds of 5MBps per user at the selected border sites, Internet speeds of the free Wi-Fi hotspots are equivalent to having a working 3G mobile connection on your Smartphone.
Built with a goal of prioritizing broadband connectivity and access, the Wi-Fi project will enable citizens living in the designated areas to access free reliable Internet since border points buffer as network roaming zones.
Additionally, the project aims at increasing the number of ICT enabled devices like computers and Smartphones in such areas by creating an enabling environment.
So, by having free Wi-Fi Internet Signals, many people would opt for the latest TECNO, of Infinix releases, since all base models come with support for both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Wi-Fi bands.
Altogether, the commission has not announced whether these free hotspots will follow the path laid by the free MYUG Wi-Fi Internet access points located in several Kampala and Entebbe zones or stirctly for border points.