Cheaper Internet finally here

By James Anyanzwa

President Kibaki on Friday launched the Sh7.4 billion East African Marine Systems fibre optic cable, putting Kenya on the information super highway.

The launch in Mombasa sets ground for more speedy and cheaper Internet connection, and unlocks a wide range of business opportunities that come with the cable.

It will be harvest time for IT businesses, bloggers and tech savvy professionals, who largely depend on the Internet to transact business, publish and share e-resources.

Further, the much-touted digital villages will finally go live as indicated by the generous offer in this year’s Budget. Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta proposed to allow Internet Service Providers to get tax relief on cost incurred when they acquire the right to use the optic cable over 20 years.

The stimulus package is the culmination of the long-awaited undersea fibre optic connection to the region.