Connectivity Providers Database

Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 18:15:26 -0000 From: Eric Stevance <stevance@afribone.net.ml> To: Steven G. Huter <sghuter@nsrc.org> Subject: RE: l'etat du Net au Mali Steve, > 1) Could you please provide a brief technical description of your > computing and networking environment (operating systems, networking > software, hardware) etc., including the connectivity of Afribone to the > Internet ? At Afribone, we use Linux for the different servers we have, currently 5, we have a LS at 64Kbits/s with the local PTT, Sotelma. We have 18 phone lines, waiting for 24, very soon, should be working on it even tomorrow friday. It is very very difficult to get phone lines from our PTT. We have a firewall etc... Also, currently 4 wireless connection with clients, 64K each. It is working great, even with a client at 15Km from us. One of this client, is cyber cafe. We have mainly tools developped on our side to manage our clients, databases to provide live information to our clients, time on our servers, bills etc... > And also a description of Mali's international connectivity to the global > Internet - upstream provider(s), international bandwidth of the link(s), > etc. ? Sotelma announces 1M down, and 256Kbits/s up. However the round trip US to Mali, is very slow 2000ms during the day, and even more. > 2) What is the current cost of a 64k leased line IP connection > cost in Mali (including dedicated line charges to the telco) ? Cost for 64K LS : around 2000 US$ (depending of the $ as you know, too high now) Firs time cost : 800 US$ Plus 18% of local tax, the TVA. > How about wireless connectivity ? What services are available, > what equipment is used, and how is current pricing structured ? We are the only provider, providing the service currently. Our price is first time cost 1500 US$ Monthly charge : 1200 US$ Plus the 18%... > 3) What do you see as the prospects for Internet growth in Mali; > what would help it, and what are currently the major obstacles ? Internet is growing in Mali for sure, but the major obstacles are still the PTT, the access of phone line for both providers and users, the ability of the PTT to solve problems, the lack of technicien, engineer, there is no computer science at the University.... USAID with Leland is running the RFP to connect the University of Mali with wireless to Internet. Eric