The State of ICT in Lesotho
34
- CSIR MERAKA INSTITUTE, RSA. - SIGMA ORIONIS, FRANCE. Organizers - DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO. Host
Transcript of The State of ICT in Lesotho
- CSIR MERAKA INSTITUTE, RSA.
- SIGMA ORIONIS, FRANCE.
Organizers
- DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY,
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO.
Host
A HIGHLIGHT ON
THE STATE OF
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN LESOTHO
PRESENTED BY:
THITE, L.T.
2 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR GOING AN EXTRA MILE TO FURNISH ME WITH CONCRETE DATA
AND INFORMATION IN COMPILING THIS PRESENTATION: -KAMAU JAMES (MR.), MACHABENG COLLEGE, LESOTHO.
-KEKETSI NEO (MS), METROPOLITAN LESOTHO.
-LIEKETSENG (MS), DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, LESOTHO.
-LUNZITISA JOSEPH (MR.), COMNET LESOTHO.
-MAKARA MONICA (MS), IEMS MASERU.
-MANE RESETSELEMANG (MRS), DEPARTMENT OF ICT, LESOTHO.
-MATLATSA RETHABILE (MRS), NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LESOTHO.
-MOLUPE MOLUPE (MR.), VODACOM LESOTHO.
-MOTJOLOPANE REFILOE (MR.), CENTRAL BANK OF LESOTHO.
-MPHAKA LERATO (MISS), LESOTHO POST BANK.
-QHOMANE LIKELELI (MS) , DEPARTMENT OF ICT, LESOTHO.
-RAMAKHULA, M (MR.) NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LESOTHO.
-THINYANE, KENEUOE (DR.), NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LESOTHO.
-THITE MASELONE (MRS), MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, LESOTHO.
-TLALI TS’EPANG (MR.), WORLD VISION, LESOTHO.
-ZONGEZILE DLANGAMANDLA (MR.), MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING, LESOTHO. 3 3
THE ROAD MAP
1. DOCUMENTS THAT GUIDE I.C.T. DEVELOPMENT
2. I.C.T. INFRASTRUCTURE
3. EXPERIENCE WITH I.C.T.
4. CHALLENGES TO THE ROLLOUT OF I.C.T.
5. RESEARCH AREAS OF INTEREST
1.1 LESOTHO NATIONAL VISION 2020
“BY THE YEAR 2020 LESOTHO SHALL BE A STABLE DEMOCRACY, A
UNITED AND PROSPEROUS NATION AT PEACE WITH ITSELF AND
ITS NEIGHBORS. IT SHALL HAVE A HEALTHY AND WELL-
DEVELOPED HUMAN RESOURCE BASE. ITS ECONOMY WILL BE
STRONG; ITS ENVIRONMENT WELL MANAGED AND ITS
TECHNOLOGY WELL ESTABLISHED.” [1]
1.2 NATIONAL STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
MOBILE PHONES HAVE PROMOTED GROWTH IN ICT SECTOR.
MAIN GOALS FOR I.C.T [2]:
i. TO IMPROVE THE ECOSYSTEM AND BACKBONE INFRASTRUCTURE, (REQUIRE FACILITATION OF ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED BROAD BAND AND ACCESS TO BASIC ICT SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY)
ii. TO REACH UNIVERSAL ACCESS, AND WIDEN ICT LITERACY iii. REVIEW THE E-GOVERNMENT STRATEGY AND PLAN TO FACILITATE
IMPLEMENTATION iv. FACILITATE SMOOTH MIGRATION FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL v. PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF E-SERVICES, AND DEVELOP NICHE ICT SUB-
INDUSTRIES THROUGH FDI, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT vi. ENHANCE SURVEILLANCE CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH CYBER SECURITY.
1.3 NATIONAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY POLICY
OBJECTIVE NO.4 [3]:
TO BUILD A VIBRANT INFORMATION SOCIETY
STRATEGY NO.4 [3]:
TAKE INITIATIVES ON ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE AND
DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THE ICT POLICY, GEARED TOWARDS BUILDING A STRONG
KNOWLEDGE DRIVEN ECONOMY.
1.4 LESOTHO I.C.T. POLICY
OBJECTIVES (for supporting infrastructural development) [4]: i. Universally accessible advanced communications networks
ii. Provide and sustain diffusion of ICT infrastructure for access to ICT services and products.
iii. Encourage infrastructure sharing among network operators to optimize scarce resources
iv. Create a favorable investment environment for the private sector in the development of ICT, infrastructures
v. Endorse competition in the ICT sector so as to increase customer choice, quality and affordability of services
1.4 LESOTHO I.C.T. POLICY
STRATEGIES (for implementing development of ICT & Infrastructure) i. A technology neutral approach in selecting appropriate, scalable
technology needed to build advanced, robust communications networks.
ii. Promote public-private partnerships to mobilize resources needed for infrastructure deployment
iii. Encourage all public sector institutions to get connected to ICT infrastructure
iv. Establish efficient and effective broadband connectivity between commercial centers in Lesotho, and between Lesotho and the rest of the world [4]:
1.4 LESOTHO I.C.T. POLICY
STRATEGIES (for implementing development of ICT & Infrastructure) v. Encourage lease of backbone communications networks at affordable rates so as to increase the number of service providers and types of services throughout the country
vi. Encourage the expansion of the national grid in order to support the deployment of ICT infrastructure.
vii. Encourage that road networks are expanded to facilitate the deployment of ICT infrastructure.
2. ICT INFRASTRUCTURE IN LESOTHO
2.1 THE GOVERNING BODY – L.C.A. 2.2 ECONET TELECOM LESOTHO, ETL. 2.3 VODACOM LESOTHO, VCL. 2.4 INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS, ISP’S. 2.5 RADIO & TELEVISION STATIONS
2.1 LESOTHO COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, LCA.
A statutory body whose mandate is to regulate the communication sector in Lesotho [5]. i.e.
-Issuing of licenses to operators;
- Promoting fair competition;
- Approving tariffs;
- Managing the radio frequency spectrum;
- Empowering and protecting consumers;
- Type approving terminal equipment , etc.
June 06, 2012:
The World IPv6 Day
2.2 ECONET TELECOM LESOTHO
A Telephone, Internet Service Provider, and Cell phone company [6]. i.e.
- ISP services - Residential -Web hosting. - Calling cards
-Domain hosting - ADSL
-ADSL - Residential Pre/Postpaid
-Leased lines - Leased lines
-Mobile phones - Business -3G / EDGE / GPRS - ADSL
- CDMA - Leased lines
-Libertie - Wi-Fi
-Buddie
2.3 VODACOM LESOTHO, VCL.
Vodacom provides GSM services in Lesotho (South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) [7].
In 2008, VCL introduced partnership with Vodafone;
Wireless services include:
-3G - SMS
-VPN - MMS
- Wi-Max - Video-calling
- Leased lines - WASP
2.4 INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS
Website hosting, Domain hosting
-Comnet
-.co.ls, org.ls
-Network design & support
-LEO
-Domain name registration
-.org.ls, .co.ls
-Datacom
-.org.ls
-.co.ls
2.5 RADIO & TELEVISION STATIONS
We have number of Radio Stations in Lesotho [5]:
-Radio Lesotho -Mo-Afrika FM, -Ultimate FM -Harvest FM -Catholic Radio FM -JOY FM -TKFM, etc.
We also have two Television Stations [5]:
-Lesotho Television -TBN
3 EXPERIENCE WITH ICT
3.1 Application of ICT in Academic institutions - Primary schools - Secondary & High schools - Colleges - Universities
3.2 Application of ICT in Industry - GOL (LGDN) - IEC (2012 elections campaign on social networks, results on Website) - Banks (Central Bank of Lesotho, Standard Lesotho Bank) - Post Bank (serves unbanked and under-banked Basotho) [8] - World Vision (Incl Area Development Programs, emergency relief) [9] - LMS (Climate Action Intelligence, incl High Performance Computer) [10]
3.3 Special Projects - NEPAD Schools - SchoolNet - ICT Village in Mahobong (e-Health & e-Agriculture)
3.1 APPLICATION OF ICT IN ACADEMICS
i. Primary schools – Computer literacy • Maseru PREP • Tiny-Tots
ii. Secondary & High schools – Computer laboratories • Thetsane H.S, Mabathoana H.S, Qacha H.S, St Francis H.S.
iii. Colleges • Lerotholi Polytechnic – Cisco systems. • NHTC – Computer laboratories • LCE – Smart board • Machabeng College – Smart board*
iv. Universities • The National University of Lesotho – WASP, Website (Results) • Limkok Wing University – “Out of the box thinking”
3.1 APPLICATION OF ICT IN ACADEMICS
Machabeng International College - A media centre (with a Smart Board) - Several Hotspots – SMS comm
[email protected] 19 (a). An IT Lecturer at Machabeng College, Lesotho
3.2 APPLICATION OF ICT IN INDUSTRY
i. GOL (LGDN)
ii. IEC (2012 elections registration confirmation & results on Website, ‘campaigns’ on Social networks)
iii. Banks (Central Bank of Lesotho, Standard Lesotho Bank)
iv. World Vision (Include Area Development Programs – emergency relief)
v. LMS (Climate Action Intelligence, involves High Performance Computer)
vi. Other (Postal, Traffic, Passports, Security)
3.2 APPLICATION OF ICT IN INDUSTRY
GOL - Lesotho Government Data Network
• Aim is to connect all government offices in Maseru and in the other nine (9) districts (onto one network and data
centre housed at Moposo House, the Ministry's headquarters).
• This will help to significantly reduce communications and data-sharing costs within government.
3.2 APPLICATION OF ICT IN INDUSTRY
World Vision International
• Intensively rely of ICT infrastructure to liaise communication between ADP’s and Headquarters in USA [9]
• Berea (3), Leribe (2), Butha-Buthe (2), M Hoek (3), Mafeteng (2)
• Activities in communities (Water, Agric, HIV/AIDS, Schools)
• Regular communication with national office (Wi-Max) • Video conferencing
• Data export
3.3 SPECIAL PROJECTS
- NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) e-Schools
- Pan-African e-Network
- Constructions
- Lets’eng Diamond
- Metolong Dam
- Mohale Dam
- Katse Dam
3.3 SPECIAL PROJECTS
NEPAD e-Schools • Lesotho is one of the 16 countries where the Demo Project was
coordinated by Ministry of Education and Training.
• Oracle and Microsoft are two companies that formed consortia to support the Demo Project in six (6) Lesotho high schools [11]:
• Lesotho High School. • Bereng High School. • St Cyprian High School. • Qacha’s Nek High School. • Sefikeng Secondary School. • Sechaba High School.
• The typical model involved fitting each school with a lab comprising approximately 20 PCs, a server and printer, and a media lab
3.3 SPECIAL PROJECTS
PAN-AFRICAN e-Network [12]
3.3 SPECIAL PROJECTS
PAN-AFRICAN e-Network
• Provides Tele-education services to 10,000 African students to undertake Post-Graduate, Under-Graduate, PG Diploma and Diploma and skill enabling certification courses in subjects such as Business Administration, IT, International Business, Tourism and Finance over a 5-year period in Indian Universities/Educational Institutions.
• The NUL through its outreach program (IEMS) is connected to Universities in India where students in Lesotho have access to lectures in Indian universities.
• There have already been regular Tele-education services.
3.3 SPECIAL PROJECTS
Lesotho’s experience with Pan-African Network [12]
Field of Action
Service provider
National user provider
Communitarian users
Health
Hospital of Lodi WINFOCUS
•Ministry of Health •Faculty of Health Sciences •National University of Lesotho
Nurses and midwives at Holy Trinity Clinic in Mahobong
Food Security
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Milan
•Ministry of Agriculture •Faculty of Agriculture •National University of Lesotho
Extensionists at Resource Center for Agriculture in Mahobong
Education Catholic University of Milan High Schools of Lodi
•Ministry of Education •National University of Lesotho
Trainers at Institute for Extra Mural studies in Maseru
3.3 SPECIAL PROJECTS
Tele-Education service at IEMS, NUL.
(a). IEMS Tele-edu classroom view (b) Tele-edu Satellite dish at IEMS, Maseru
4. CHALLENGES TO THE ROLLOUT OF ICT
• Training • MOET cited reluctance of teachers to use PC’s as teaching aids
in other subjects than Computing. • Telco Infrastructural
• There are still areas not receiving the communication media coverage (outskirts)
• Electricity network coverage • Some primary schools missed out the NEPAD pilot as no
electricity (e.g. Iketsetseng Primary, St James Primary) • Extreme Weathers
• Snow may see electricity & communications infrastracture damaged
• Terestial challenges • Some areas are difficult to access.
4. CHALLENGES TO THE ROLLOUT OF ICT
Limited bandwidth at NUL – Cell phone use as PLAN B!
[email protected] 30 (a). A Computer Scientist at NUL, Roma.
5. RESEARCH AREAS OF INTEREST
• Computer Science • The scientific & mathematical approach to the design of
computing machines and procedures. • Network Engineering
• The design of network topologies / layout based involving various data regulatory tools, for efficient propagation of signals.
• Information Systems • Focuses on the user’s perspective on the use of computer
systems e.g. Usability of interactive products.
• Graphical design • Innovative designs of ICT products –
‘Thinking out of the Box’ Limkokwing University of Creative technology
CORDIALLY
THITE, LEROTHOLI THABO [email protected]
M.SC. (UFS), B.SC. HON (UFS), CISCO (NMMU)
DEPART. OF MATHEMATICS & COMPUTER SCIENCE
THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LESOTHO
33 33 [email protected]
REFERENCES [1] LESOTHO NATIONAL VISION 2020. WWW.GOV.LS/DOCUMENTS/NATIONAL_VISION_DOCUMENT_FINAL.PDF
[2] NATIONAL STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN WWW.FINANCE.GOV.LS
[3] NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY WWW.GOV.LS/DOCUMENTS/POLICY/S_T_POLICY_LESOTHO.PDF
[4] LESOTHO ICT POLICY. WWW.GOV.LS/DOCUMENTS/LESOTHO_ICT_POLICY_FINAL.PDF
[5] LESOTHO COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY WWW.LCA.ORG.LS
[6] ECONET TELECOM LESOTHO WWW.ETL.CO.LS
[7] VODACOM LESOTHO WWW.VODACOM.CO.LS
[8] LESOTHO POST BANK WWW.LPB.CO.LS
[9] WORLD VISION WWW.WORLDVISION.ORG/OUR-WORK/INTERNATIONAL-WORK/LESOTHO
[10] LESOTHO METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES WWW.LESMET.ORG.LS
[11] NEPAD. WWW.EDUCATION.GOV.LS
[12] PAN-AFRICAN E-NETWORK. WWW.AFRICA-
UNION.ORG/ROOT/AU/CONFERENCES/2009/MAI/PANAFRICAN%20E-NETWORK%20PROJECT.PDF
34 34 [email protected]
