Tanda Community Network (Tanda CN) and African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) organised a 5-day intensive fibre optics infrastructure fellowship for community networks in Kenya. From a lengthy list of applicants, 15 participants were selected in a rigorous and transparent process. The fellowship was meant to capacity-build community networks in Kenya with fibre technology knowledge and skills with the ultimate goal of improving internet connectivity in the last mile using modern, efficient and effective technologies.
The fellowship was supported by Rhizomatica, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and 48 percent.
Community networks, which are community-owned and operated telecommunication infrastructures that are established to solve a community’s communication needs and enhance activities that contribute to its desired growth and development, often grapple with a plethora of challenges that hinder their growth. Among the many challenges is access to broadband internet and effective technologies for its distribution to the community. Fibre technology, albeit with high upfront costs, provides a unique solution.
Unlike wireless technology that requires establishment of line of sight, which are sometimes difficult to achieve, or radio frequencies that are prone to signal interferences, fibre technology offers a unique solution to these common challenges faced by Kenya’s community networks which are often domiciled in very remote and hilly parts of the country.
Throughout the fellowship period, the participants engaged in theory and practical sessions which were designed to foster discussion and collaboration among the participants. This resulted in interactive sessions, rich with peer-to-peer knowledge and experience exchange sprints.
For example, a panel discussion among the community networks that have already deployed fibre networks opened the gate for an enriching discussion on the key challenges in deploying fibre technology. Among the challenges highlighted were competition from existing operators in the community, high costs of equipment and frequent power outages. Nonetheless, the participants collectively agreed that fibre is more sustainable and secure compared to wireless technology, but keen not to completely abandon wireless (the hybrid model was highly encouraged).
Measures to mitigate cable vandalism and fibre maintenance in community networks operating in informal settlements were also discussed. A suggestion of colour coding the cables – just like commercial operators do – was highlighted by multiple participants as the best short-term solution.
It was also recommended for the community networks in informal settlements to deploy overhead fibre cables because of the high population density, which leaves little space for underground cabling. Tanda CN, one such organisations, committed to implementing the plan. They also shared that they will explore the possibility of collaborating with Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to utilise their electrical grid poles for hosting the overhead fibre cables (KPLC leases their poles and fibre optic cables to internet service providers).
Instead of relying solely on the content from the course instructors, the peer-to-peer learning exchanges enriched the fellowship. This was further demonstrated through the participant-led nightly group discussions that reinforced understanding of the daily covered topics. The fellowship also struck a perfect balance between theoretical, in-class sessions and practical, on-field experiences.
Theory sessions gave the participants a panoramic view of the fibre technology, covering the history of fibre optic technology, safety measures when handling fibre, fibre performance specifications, power budget calculations, advantages of fibre technology, and other applications of fibre technology, among others. The practical sessions, on the other hand, involved the participants immersing themselves in cleaving, splicing and preparing fibre cables. During the practical sessions, participants were split into smaller groups to ensure each one of them had the opportunity for hands-on involvement in the activities.
On the final day of the fellowship, participants, having undergone an intensive week of training, took the national examination administered by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA) through AFRALTI to become certified fibre optic technicians. The FOA is an international non-profit educational association that is chartered to promote professionalism in fibre optics through education, certification and standards. Attaining certification from this esteemed body was crucial for the participants, as it aligned with the community networks’ strategic goal of equipping their members with essential knowledge and skills that serve as a testament to their expertise, while at the same time meeting industry standards and enhancing their credibility in the market.
As one of the course instructors rightly put it, fibre is the nervous system of the world. The fellowship made that clear to the participants by highlighting the critical role that the technology plays in global communication, data transmission and providing the infrastructure that powers the modern internet.
In addition, from the participants’ perspective, the fellowship helped establish that fibre technology is a crucial pillar in achieving last mile connectivity. The former was made even clearer through Steve Song’s virtual presentation that highlighted multiple community and municipality-owned networks that utilise fibre technology to meet their communication needs. Among the networks that were highlighted by Song are ECFiber, Broadband for the Rural North and City of Ammon Fiber Optics.
Song’s presentation also delved into the ownership model, funding and sustainability mechanisms, and organisational structures of these networks, hence providing insights that could be borrowed by Kenya’s community networks.
For example, it was evident that some of the networks raised funds through sales of bonds and shares, which are repaid with interest each year, while members who cannot afford to purchase the bonds but are interested in being part of the ownership offer to assist with carrying cables, digging fibre tunnels, backfilling trenches and installing conduits. These practices not only emphasise the need for community ownership but also give insights into various ways that community networks can raise funds for their sustainability.
The sentiments shared by the participants during the close-out session echoed their appreciation and gratitude towards Tanda CN and AFRALTI for organising the fellowship, and Rhizomatica, APC and 48 percent for supporting the fellowship. Additionally, they committed to transferring their gained knowledge and skills to other members of their respective community networks for sustainable and long-term benefit of the organisations.
Josephine Miliza, Africa policy coordinator at APC, shared that the fellowship was an initial step of many to come. She urged the technicians to observe safety measures while deploying fibre optic networks to curb casualties; observe compliance with relevant authorities to avoid regulatory actions; and be keen on choosing their preferred technology – wireless, fibre or hybrid – with an emphasis on consideration of sustainability and knowledge investment. Miliza also encouraged participants to be good ambassadors of community networks movement in Kenya and invite similar organisations that are not part of the movement yet to join.
Photo: Risper Arose