INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling
European Investment Bank , Bandwidth and Cloud Services , partner to launch fibre network in DRC
More than 2.5 million people living in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo , DRC will benefit from faster , cheaper and more reliable digital connectivity thanks to new fibre-optic network investment being rolled out by Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group , BCS and backed by the European Investment Bank , EIB .
Under Global Gateway , the EU ’ s positive offer for trusted and sustainable connections with partner countries , the new fibre-optic infrastructure will enable high-speed broadband internet in homes , schools and hospitals , opening up access to digital services and information , and contributing to the country ’ s digital transformation .
The EIB and BCS signed warrants agreement that will allow BCS to move forward with their plans to install a new fibre-optic backbone in the eastern regions of the DRC . The warrants agreement follows a $ 10 million quasi-equity , investment from EIB Global , the EIB ’ s arm dedicated to international partnerships and development finance . The financing package addresses BCS ’ s immediate funding needs to support their fast and long-term growth .
The continued partnership with EIB means BCS can move forward with its optic expansion plans to build over 20,000 kilometres of digital infrastructure out of which 12,000 kilometres are in DRC . This will go a long way to ensure implementation of the MoU between the Government of DRC and BCS to connect over 1,900 schools , 1,640 public hospitals and government institutions along the BCS backbone and metro fibre infrastructure .
The Government of DRC has in return agreed to waive the fibre licence fee per kilometre and provide rights of way on all public infrastructure – railroad , electricity poles , rivers , and lakes , in exchange .
The fibre-optic network will transform more than 2.5 million Congolese lives , bringing high-speed internet to critical facilities such as hospitals and schools . Through Global Gateway , the EU will continue supporting partner countries in Central Africa level-up their digital network , to bring more opportunities for families and businesses alike .
The EIB-backed investment by BCS will connect areas currently underserved by high-speed telecoms . Better access to the Internet will unlock new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and support job creation , and direct telecom connections to 319 schools and 70 hospitals and health centres will improve education and public health .
The investment will enable regions impacted by conflict to benefit from better mobile broadband coverage and reliable communication . BCS Group has entered a long-term funding partnership with the EIB . This is part of the EIB ’ s continued collaboration with BCS following a US $ 18 million funding in 2018 .
This investment will enable the construction of 1,200 kilometres of fibre , part of the 20,000 kilometres that BCS plans to build in Southern , Central and Eastern Africa over the next three years .
Digital is such a powerful driver of equity , inclusion and growth , that the EU has made it a pillar of our Global Gateway strategy . Expansion of the fibre-optic infrastructure will enable local communities , schools and hospitals to benefit from mobile broadband , which ultimately means new opportunities for learning , for business , for jobs , for healthcare . p
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