The Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance ICT Support Unit made the submission for government support in late 2010 and in November 2012 CBO was awarded the $3.25 million contract to build a Metro Area Network (MAN) as a single use network for public sector agencies.
Mark McGregor, Managing Director of CBO Telecommunications, said the deployment included the design, installation and management and support of the network followed by a three year maintenance and support agreement.
McGregor said CBO worked with its local Solomon Islands partner, Satellite Solutions, as well as vendors including Cambium Networks, Opengear and APC, to deploy the network.
He said the MAN consists of high performance Cambium Networks Point-to-Point OFDM links and Point-to-Multipoint links using the WiMax wireless communications protocol, APC Smart-UPS and Lighthouse Central Management Solution and remote infrastructure management hardware from Opengear.
The project was officially launched in Honiara recently in the presence of Solomon Islands Acting Prime Minister, Walter Folotalu, Finance Minister, Rick Hou, senior Solomon Island government officials and representatives from diplomatic missions.
McGregor said the SIG Connect Network was successfully completed on time and within budget last month and entailed a roll out of IT services right across the Government, with the “potential to to lift communications efficiency and cost-effectiveness across the Public Services sector.”
It is now intended that all Government officers can have their own official SIG email addresses, access to the internet; store and share work electronically in a virus free IT environment.
According to McGregor, the new network will enhance the operation of a number of existing and new ICT systems for the Solomon Islands government including the customs system which allows customs officials to track imports and exports electronically at the main sea port and at Henderson airport. Other operational enhancements include improvements in government payroll and finance functions and the planned rolled out of an improved vehicle and licensing system for the country.
“This project has been one of the most rewarding projects that we have completed at CBO due to the tangible results that it has provided to the Solomon Islands Government and the people of the Solomon Islands. This network is a great achievement for CBO but by far the most rewarding part of the project has been sharing our experience and providing training to local support and Solomon Island Government staff.
“To say that CBO has been able to contribute to building the nation’s ICT skill set is a significant achievement for our company and one that we are extremely proud of.”
The Director - ICT Support Unit of the Solomon Islands Government, Smith Iniakwala commented: “We are thrilled with how this project has been managed from the design stage to the deployment of the network. CBO’s commitment to building our ICT skills in-country has been fantastic. They have delivered a network that will not only see operational improvements for the Government but the people of the Solomon Islands will experience improved and more efficient Government services.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Peter Dinham
Quelle/Source: IT Wire, 01.07.2013
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