UbuntuNet Alliance opens its doors to NRENs

The UbuntuNet Alliance for Research and Education Networking has invited all African National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) to join the alliance in order to enjoy broadband connectivity.

Only 10 NRENs in Eastern and Southern Africa -- including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia -- are participating in the UbuntuNet Alliance.

The door is open for African NRENs to apply to the UbuntuNet Alliance board for recognition as participating regional education networks, said Tusu Tusubira, acting UbuntuNet Alliance CEO, on Wednesday.

The alliance, Tusubira explained, is pushing for improved and affordable regional and international connectivity among Africa's research and higher learning institutions via the broadband UbuntuNet backbone.

"The UbuntuNet Alliance is, however, facing challenges, as most countries have monopoly policies due to limited competition in the provision of access services, especially the international gateways," he said.

In order to meet its goals, Tusubira said, the UbuntuNet Alliance will focus on promoting the deployment of fiber-optics in the region and on the migration of research and education traffic to and from Africa to high-speed terrestrial circuits.

The UbuntuNet Alliance was formed in 2005 by 10 NRENs in sub-Saharan Africa.