Accra, May 26, GNA - The first phase of the broadband fibre optic infrastructure has been completed and is undergoing testing before full operation, Dr Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, Minister of Communication said on Monday.

Speaking at the official opening of the International Telecommunication Union's Africa Standardisation Development Forum and Preparatory Meeting being held in Accra, Dr. Ntim said the broadband infrastructure was expected to provide seamless, integrated multimedia services anytime, anywhere with lower fee to broadband internet by the year 2012.

The construction of the fibre optic transmission network is being undertaken in two phases covering over 4,000 kilometres. It is being supported by the Chinese government, with a concessionary loan facility of 30 million dollars. Government is also in negotiating for an additional 70 million dollars for the second phase.

The plan is being complemented by the building of 230 community information centres as access points for ICT in the rural communities in the country.

Already 90 of such centres have been completed.

"With the provision of ICT access points all over the country the provision of new services will become possible, and the government's vision realizable," he said.

Dr Ntim said since the development of the national ICT vision, the country had witnessed appreciable growth in the sector. For example, telephone subscription has hit the eight million mark, giving a tele-density of nearly 40 per cent.

However, Dr Ntim said there was need for increased public and private sectors investment to enable the goal of using ICT to accelerate economic development became a reality and to also bridge the digital divide.

"If the programmes and projects outlined in the national ICT roadmap are adequately pursued, there is every assurance for Ghana to break out of the poverty cycle and into the middle-income bracket in the not-too-distant future," he said.

Dr Ntim said the country will continue to participate in the International Telecommunication union activities to ensure accelerated deployment of new networks and services and also bringing connectivity to cities and towns as well as to the remote areas.

"Standardisation should contribute to the lowering of capital and operational expenditure in the deployment and expansion of core network," he added.

Mr Malcom Johnson, Director, ITU Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau, said standards are important to enhance international communications and global trade.

Besides they are essential aid to developing countries in building their infrastructure and encouraging economic development as well as help reduce costs for all manufacturers, operators and consumers through economies of scale.

"Global standards avoid costly market battles over preferred technologies, and for companies from emerging markets, they create a level playing field which provides access to new markets," Mr Johnson said.

He therefore urged the African Region to participate actively in the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly to be held in Johannesburg in South Africa in October to enable them influence the future direction of standardization and to ensure that standards meet the specific requirements of the region.

Dr Akossi Akossi, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, said accelerated infrastructure was key to bridge the digital divide between the developed and developing countries. He pledged ATU's support in the area of resources to advance the course of ICT development on the continent.

The five-day meeting is being held on the theme: "Bridging the ICT standardization gap in developing countries for the Africa Region." The Africa meeting precedes this year's WTSA's Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa from October 21 to 30 2008 that would adopt working methods and approve the ITU-T work programme as well as appoint chairs and vice chairs of Study Groups. The Accra meeting is to deliberate on world standardisation issues of common concern to the continent and adopt common proposals for presentation to the WTSA