International News » Somaliland
Somcable has completed preparation of the Optic Fiber Project
December 22, 2010 · 37 Comments
Hargeisa (Somalilandpress)- This week somcable has completed most of their surveys covering total distance of 1200 Km in land. Covering Berbera to Las-anod border of punt land, Berbera to Tog-wajale border in Ethiopia, then Berbera to Lowya-Ado boder in Djibouti.
The construction of Berbera landing Station is also expected to be completed in mid January, as well as main Hargeisa Branch.
The network will serve as a backhaul to enable Somaliland to interconnect with Submarine Cable networks which are currently being deployed in the Red Sea.
This project is expected to contribute the national economy, as it’s expected to create Thousands of Jobs, during the construction, a part from the labor and the construction employment it will create a permanent technical trainings for the newly graduates from Somaliland Universities.
In addition the project will stimulate growth of telecommunication services in the country.
As Somcable Managements confirmed, Somcable will enter the market as a carrier’s carrier, and will remain capacity whole saller.
This will allow Somaliland operators to have improve return on investment along the telecommunications value chain with the introduction of fiber optic.
The project will enable the government and development bodies to enhance development of services to rural and urban Areas and thus improving the lives of citizens through job creations, partnership, and revenue generations.
Reported By: Abdiqani Husien Baynah
Source:Somalilandpress
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By Abdiqani
Tags: Business, Fiber Optic, Project, Somaliland, Somcable
Readers Comments (37)
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Well done Somcable. Keep on doing and make it fast. This kind of local investment is what we need and those business old timers has to change the habit of concentrating only the rice, sugar, oil and consumables. Its their turn to engage different business projects and they must realize that investing their country is something that they will always bear its fruits. I congratulate Mr. Saeed and his team for undertaking this huge project. I would like to ask those of us [Somalilanders] who are against Somcable executing this project to think twice. Somcable is us, and we have to encourage our citizens businesses which we all benefit.
Good progress
Like I said before I am pessimistic about SomCable and its capacity, its abilities and transparency. I still believe it's operating under Djibouti's dictator Omar Gelleh. This little map they generated using simple software and probably a donated laptop means nothing. We will have to see real work on the ground. They have been doing the talk for the past year.
They have until February to prove me wrong. I do prefer if there were also other companies competing to deliver the services, particularly foreign and locals forming a unit-venture. While Silaanyo was in UK, this would have been an area that would attract British firms, this is an area with over 100 million people (Somalis and Ethiopians) with no proper internet connection, the business potentials are there. Need is there. So is population.
Kayse!
pessimistic or other wise honestly you sound a bit jalous. currently who provides the internet for Somaliland? guess who Djibouti!!!! infact Djibouti will be going out of the market as a capacity seller to Somaliland operators. when this company installs the cable, the operators will buy their needed capacity from Somcable, so get over it budy Somcable is not OWN by any third party Gov/Dictators/non Somalilanders.
and since you are cocern about attracting companies in Somaliland surely there are heeps of other areas that can be invested. surely Somcable will deliver this and its also true that Somcable does not use A DONATED LAPTOP
Lets all wait and see. To be honest, I am also pessimistic and doubtful. Remember the number of promises we heard before….the construction of our cement factory, Berbera port, Egal Airport…..and the list goes on and on!!!
This is just another project forced on the nation. Somalilanders had such high hopes for their new government but the first thing they did was to hand the lease of this big project to a Djiboutian national (Mohamed Aw Saed) and gave him a manopoly for over 25 years, when they could have done it in a better way. For example they could have either gave 50% to the other company who also had a cheaper cable or could have started something new by keeping allocating 30-40% share for the Somaliland public, and 40% for the Somcable and the rest for the other company. This would have generated a lot of income for the public burse. SO I believe this was a wasted chance by the government and I think this is going to be a big flop.
The main cable is owned by a French company who defends its assets with military power and submarines, so no point fighting over which black person bring the network inland.
Yes boss,
As Somcable partners; the French giants will defend their interests at sea to the minimum. In this point, we 100% agree with you. Yet on land business, we- the Almis group guards and likes will defend our own S/L interests; particularly the security of Somcable land expansions from Lawyado-Lasanod(S/L 6regions). We are the
black eagles who are ready to devote themselves ethically to homeland's peace.
Thus, you add this to yr bank of informs.
And thank you… Almis group.
Am with Kayse and others opposing the Somcable to come through Djibouti or Somalia business registered Nationals when there are no less qualified SL business Nationals to benefit the SL local markets are available in plenty numbers. Not forgetting the security issue there are always other concerns such as the high communication operating billing costs to the SL public usage through Djibouti or Somalia Telecomms. systems. Just see even now the overseas calls thru 2522 thru Djibouti how the billings are excessively high as compared to other neighboring countries. I would rather urge more expertise study committee must be set to come up with better solutions. There is also the Euro and Arabsat wireless telecomms..both the cable & wireless must be explored.
Cheers.
Good job Somcable,, i am looking forward many young somalilanders got employment opportunities and better communications for the country.
Somcable is a company owned by a Somali businessman from MOGADISHO, wether you like it or not. It does not make sense to be over sensative the name of Djibouti. As a matter of fact, djibouti does not need hargeisa and so called somaliland administration. Hargiesa administration are in need and they can not survive without djibouti. Be realistic and stop acting as a legitimate governement.
do you know how small your country is ,it is like a dot on the map.it is very easy for us to wipe this dirt off.
People of Djibouti are the descendants of Somaliland, whether you like it or not. They are there for each other, always were, always will be. Ka naxow nafta waa.
If Somaliland was to unite with any Somali speaking nation, it should be Djibouti, NOT Mogadishu, but now we, Somalilanders, are way better off on our own. we have created a successful bandwagan that others should follow its lead, definately, NOT to jump on. We can't allow that. :D
The company is not owned by Mogadishu thats Dalkom Somalia. SomCable is owned by Somalilander from Djibouti who is also in the tubacco industry and made millions. He is also in the tourism industry.
The problem is Somalilander from Djibouti. It would seem to me the guy has dual nationalities.
It's also clear the business deal (Somcable) is through Djibouti citizenship and not the SL
Citizenship laws. With plenty local Somalilanders nationality who are qualified to take the
challenges of this huge project it would seem that both the Udub/Kulmiye handling affairs
of this project somehow appears to have unsound loopholes. However if nothing else the
least the Govt. could do at this late stage is to force the Somcable to make use of for all
transactions under the Somaliland local Postal and Telecoms registration instead of
through the Djiboutien Telecoms creating new Area code(s) for the SL. Otherwise the SL
Posts Telecomms. should explore better solutions for this problematically troubling
situaton.
Cheers.
I don't see any problem by bringing more people doing business as long as other companies are available to consumers. Somaliland right now has more cheaper tele-communication than Djibouti and other countries;therefore, I don't see how a new company would be making money unless it push aside other providers. Those of us who always says one Somali region wouldn't survive without the help of other region, taht isn't true. All regions have ports and airports but people need from one another not the businessmen.
We all know the truth what all Somali regions wouldn't survive without it unless we living dream world. Without Ethopia's hand either business or political Djibouti, Somaliland and even Somalia wouldn't survive why? because it will either create unpleasant political cloud or it will come in as it want. So you acting lions between yourselves and look the other way when the big man glance at you. That doesn't mean Ethopia doesn't need us but at least they are politicaly free and fast luck of ports.
Honestly I care less who gets the Somcable project but only feel that the locals must be
given the top priorities for any good business projects if the local hands qualify to handle such
business ventures. The emphasis is for the Govt. policy to give the preferences to the local industries
and to show more faith in the locals.
Cheers.
Here we are! This is where we resemble Arabs, who agreed to disagree.
My worry is that this company (somcable) if owned by outsiders (?) they can hold us to ransom for political reasons in the future if we don't be carefull now.
Awdakboy and Boqoljireh: Can you explain to me why there are no fiber optic cables installed in Lughaya, Abdi-Geedi, Eil Sheik, and Bulahar? I may remind you that Lughaya may become the next viable port!
Aw-gass
Lughaya is going after the big fish, I meant the big business fish and its the number one business opportunity in Somaliland although now organization called ARDAA is leading the way. Lughaya port would give new hope for young Somalimen risking their lives to board boats and become refugees in Yemen and other places. It will be open to all Somalis who have money to invest future business in the area and all Somalilanders are welcome to do business. Lughaya port will also benefit Somaliland government as well as Awdal region for tax.
Awdalboy: I was there and I know Lughaya's potential for a fishing industry. We all need to work with ARDAA. ARDAA must solicit the support of the Somaliland Government, particularly the Ministry of Finance. Let ARDAA issue shares to people who want to invest, Ahmed Hasi should help register the ARDAA group as a viable business venture. Remember China is coming and you must know what that means -less investment opportunity for Somalilanders! Please reach out to ARDAA before it is too late.
Are u from Awdal bro? Its good to hear the good things ARDAA did and plans to do in Awdal. I'm from Hargeisa and wish everyone can support them. Well done!
Foreign direct investment is not necessarily a bad thing for Somaliland's job sector. In fact, it all depends on the terms agreed upon between the Chinese and our government. Somaliland must ensure the overall benefit of any agreement comes out in favour of its citizens. For example, SL can either invite China to improve our infrastructure and allow them to bring their own skillful specialists and laborers or SL can dictate that China has to use local talent (70% of labour force & 30% of specialist roles). Under the latter terms, the majority of the labor work would be done by Somalilanders and a portions of our young engineers would be given a chance to rub shoulders with their Chinese counterparts. It would be a win-win situation, since local labor costs wouldn't be higher than that of China's (assuming!)
In the end, my only wish is that the money generated from these foreign investors actually goes back to the people like the above mentioned ARDDA and Lughaya fishing projects, inshallah. Both projects sound interesting and may Allah(swt) make them both succeed and the people prosper.
i am arafat. woow somcable is great aportunity of all somalilanders and it will leads great progress and prosperity of all somalillanders viva somcaple
Salma who wrote what was in my heart really.yeah i believe all you said is purely based on facts. What i liked more was if somaliland was to unite with any somali speaking enclave then it should be djibouti absolute truth and absolute beauty.
Salma you wrote what was in my heart really.yeah i believe all you said is purely based on facts. What i liked more was if somaliland was to unite with any somali speaking enclave then it should be djibouti absolute truth and absolute beauty.
lets see our president gave away this opportunity (thousands of jobs and communication advancement) to Djibouti in exchange of reocognizing an Indpendent Somaliland…!!!????? no …no …..no…he is not that smart ….!!!!!!! he just gave it to Djibouti governement in exchange of free trips and accommodation to Djibouti…that sounds believable….
Instead of blaming the President why not blame the Ministry of Posts and Telecomms???
This matter comes under the Minister of the P&T and this guy should resolve this problem
and satisfy the public anger..jumping to the President without going through the Ministry
is unfair and unjustified..the President is not everything you know.
Cheers.
are you serious!!!!! I don’t know where you live, but in the real democracy, the president must receive a communiqué of all government decisions taken place everyday especially on the scale of communication network that could be possibly effect the security and investment opportunity of the whole nation. If he 'President "doesn't know….then you have opened a new chapter in Somaliland political dilemma….who should the people of Somaliland hold responsible for the worst political decision in our brief history the minister of communication who was nominated by the who!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mohamed!!!!!!!!! my brother please go and learn more about how governments work………@@@
Did I say the president shouldn't know. All I said was.. the Ministers are the top
aids of the president just like the Angels are dedicated to do a perfect job when God knows it
and verifies all the big issues. Still with the presidents knowledge the real job falls under
the P&T ministry. Now tell me where I went wrong.
Cheers.
I have never seen a Somali person who wishes to learn and understand another human's point of view / perspective, for that I give you credit. my brother you said angels, they are never wrong because they do whatever Allah tells them, Ibleees however ….you know what I mean, this is Africa everyone one is working for their own because there is no money in the country, so you and I might believe they 'ministers" who should be doing things for the good of people then you are mistaken and must wake up and smell the coffee. They are from the same "gang" the president and the ministers and they want to do everything for their own before the next election… and in this I conclude this discussion….thank you for your co-operation
Jaamaallander..Tku anyway goodbye.
Cheers.
Where you went wrong mr is that this issue of optic is the biggest investment deal the country in question has ever had and it is a little too big for a minister or ministry and i am with those solely put the responsibity on the president.
Nothing to fear as long as you have good governance and competent individuals running Somaliland. It's a globalise world and we should embrace the opportunity to work together be it Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia, Somaliland, putland etc. We are sick and tired of our population turning refugees, drowning, etc. Please look beyond the childsh rivalries as working together as brothers will ensure prosperity, dignity and a bright future. We need to grow up and welcome new ventures but at the same time ensure due diligence. Mistakes do happen even in the so called democratic, developed world. So I would say lets get all behind this project and I can assure you, for a small population they will be plenty of opportunities for all. I am already excited!! A recent UN study showed a significant correlation between access to the WEB and economic development .
Hi Everyone,
just a quick reply to all the ignorents. Instead of discussing where the owner of Somcable is from you should look at the oppertunities for somaliland that will come up with this project wheter it is new employment oppertunities youngsters or a better improved internet and phone connections.
And just for your information the company belongs to Mr. Mohamed Said Guedi who is original from Somaliland but migrated to Djibouti. Everyone who knows about his background would know that he is a genrous man with a good heart. He is usually the first one who donates his money to support with less previledged people. So keep quite and stop talking about peoples background and instead think about the new oppertunities that comes with this project.
Thanks,
Ms Somaliland