Kampala — INTERNET service providers have been challenged to design solutions that will encourage more Ugandans to embrace the internet as a tool that drives broad-based development both at the individual and national levels.

The challenge was delivered by the Vice President, Professor Gilbert Bukenya, in a speech read for him by the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Service, Henry Muganwa Kajura, at the official launch of the BroadBand Company services at Kampala Serena Hotel recently.

"We recognise the fact that ICTs can only serve as effective tools of broad-based development, poverty reduction and opportunity for all, if people in every corner of developing countries-and at all levels of society-have reliable and affordable access to them," he said.

"We invite Broad Band Company to join us in the battle to achieve prosperity for all because we know that unlocking Uganda's full potential in service exports, particularly in IT-enabled services, and stimulating high value and low bulk agro-processing for traditional and new markets, offers the greatest opportunities for success in terms of exports, job stimulation and growth," he said.

BroadBand Company which was licensed by the Uganda Communications Commission over a year ago, provides wireless broadband services on a WiMAX platform.

The company is owned by PME Infrastructure, a London-based company who is the majority shareholder as well as TMP Management Norway and Suubi Services Ltd- a consortium of local companies.

Prince David Namugala, the BroadBand Company Chairman said priority investment will be in bridging the connectivity gap, by delivering faster speeds wirelessly and at affordable rates.

"At BroadBand Company, we believe that the internet is a functional tool in getting things done especially in an economy where the services sector is probably the biggest revenue earner.

We also appreciate the fact that though the internet has been here with us for more than a decade, there are still a number of people that desire that connection and can even afford it, but for some reason do not have it.

It is these customers that BroadBand Company shall seek to understand and address, while also undertaking other noble initiatives such as taking more internet to homes, to schools, churches and communities," he said.

Currently, the network is operational within Kampala and shall be expanding to Jinja and Entebbe in the coming months.

BroadBand Company services currently include the 3G USB Modem which allows users to surf on the move targeted at individual and small users as well as CPE units targeted for medium and large users.

The company soon plans to rollout other fresh products such as: Voice of Internet Protocol, IP Video Conferencing, Data Warehousing and domain name servicing.