Angola - Going Digital

Angola is now among the top three countries in the SADC (Southern Africa Development Community) region whose migration from analog to digital communication is in an advanced state. Angola now shares digital capabilities jointly with South Africa and Botswana in areas of digital public television, ministries of social communication, telecommunications and ICT ( Information and Communication Technologies).

While the digital format has long been the standard for European and western nations, Angola's "advancement from seven to 50% within 5 years is very noticeable in today's world, especially in Africa and other Third World countries", claims the secretary general of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Hamadoun Toure.

The digital migration is a change from the analogical system of communication and transportation of data to digital technology, which will provide better efficiency as well as the reduction of excess equipment of consumers in the use of communications and ICT.

The Angolan government has just inaugurated a mobile ICT Center to take ICT to users situated in isolated areas around the country.  The mobile USD$30,000 Ndola Digital mobile ICT center is one of several to be rolled out in various regions of the country.   The first center includes 16 PCs, a printer and a projector for audiovisual lessons.

Angola's minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Maria Candida Teixeira, said the mobile centers would help provide education and digital inclusion to under-served communities. (ANGOP)