Work on government’s fibre optic cable from Brazil is moving ahead with tenders currently under evaluation for the construction of five repeater stations along the length of the cable.
Repeater stations, government engineer Walter Willis explained, collect signal and pass it uninterrupted down the line. Repeater stations are to be set up at Lethem, Annai, Kurupukari, Mabura and Linden, Willis disclosed. These stations will have to be constructed and equipment installed.
Willis told this newspaper that the project went out to bid on October 6 and the bid opening occurred on October 25. Only three of the eight companies who expressed interest in the project actually submitted bids, Willis told Stabroek News.
The bids are currently being evaluated by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).
Work on the cable commenced in January and the entire project from Lethem to Providence was expected to take three and a half months. However, there were some delays in the project and there has been an extension as well, from Providence to Castellani House.
Government’s investment in the fibre optic cable from Brazil is part fulfilment of its commitment to improve access to the internet locally, at a cheaper and more reliable rate. It has also been plugged as an investment to push e-governance.
