Connectivity Providers Database

Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2001 19:53:36 -0500 From: Pierre Dandjinou <Infocom@avu.org> To: mlizarza@darkwing.uoregon.edu Cc: quaynor@ghana.com, Randy@nsrc.org, sghuter@nsrc.org Subject: RE: Benin and the Internet Message-id: <20011124075336-Infocom@avu.org> > 1) Could you please provide a brief description of Benin's > external connectivity to the Internet - including upstream > provider(s), international bandwidth of the link(s), etc. Benin's external connection to the Internet is mainly operated through the gateway that was established in 1995 by OPT (office des postes et telecommunications), the monoplolistic telecoms operator who is also an ISP. Currently, Opt has two connections: one of 1 Megabit with Cable and wireless and the other of 64 Kbits with France Cable Radio. Here are details on the 4 main isps. ISP in BJ Link Type Bandwidth Upstream ISP POP location(s) ========= =========== =========== ============= =============== OPT VSAT 1 Mbps Cable &Wireless Cotonou VSAT 64 Kbps France Cable Radio Cotonou Firstnet Leased line 64kbps OPT Cotonou VSAT ? Interpacket Cotonou Sobiex Leased line 64Kbps OPT Cotonou EIT Leased line 64 Kbps OPT Cotonou > 2) Please also list the URLs for each ISP, and the name and email > address for the appropriate contact for service when possible. OPT URL : www.opt.bj Contact : Louis Agbaholou agbaholou@intnet.bj Firstnet URL : www.firstnet.bj Contact : Mathiel Lawson, mlawson@firstnet.bj Technical contact : Amede Agbessi, amede@firstnet.bj Sobiex URL : www.sobiex.bj Contact : Jacob Akinocho, jakinocho@sobiex.bj EIT has just stopped its operation > 3)What do you see as the prospects for Internet growth in Benin; > what would help it, and what are currently the major obstacles? Well the last few months have seen the establishments of close to 75 Cybercafes in Cotonou, 5 in Porto Novo and a few other in 2 or 3 other small towns.These cybercafes cater for 20,000 plus users and one could think that this will increase in the near future. Then a Ministry has now been apppointed to specifically deal with information and communication technologies. One of his objectives is to extend Internet use in schools. A decision which was taken last year to suppress customs duties on computers and related equipment is a positive move. Major obstacles are the lack of a clear and transparent regulatory framework. Talks on privatization of Opt have been going on for 3/4 years but the political environment would not help, partly because of a sort of ignorance of the stakes. Thus, the new operators are finding it difficult to deploy any alternative technologies without referring to OPT. Another major obstacle is the high cost of telecommunications and Internet use. Pierre Dandjinou <Infocom@avu.org> ______________________________________________________ AVU's Free Email Service is provided for promoting education. Please report any misuse of AVU email services to webmanager@avu.org