Connectivity Update

The WWAN connectivity project is still a big part of my life and we have reached a number of milestones in the last few weeks.  The include getting the equipment into country, securing tower rights from Safaricom, securing approval for the network from the Communications Commission of Kenya, and nearly completing the solar panel installation.*

* We ran into two problems during the solar install. One of our facilities was flooded due to runoff from the last rainy season and due to a unexpected change at one of the sites. We will complete the solar installation as part of the next phase of the installation that should start in February. 

There are a few issues that need to be resolved, the most critical is finding a suitable location in Eldoret to finish the network. We had an agreement to use one of the taller buildings in Eldoret to finish of our network, but the building management company pulled out at the last minute.*

* Tall buildings in Eldoret are not many in number and prized by radio, telecom and television companies. They need the structures to mount their own radio antennas and because they are for-profit companies, the building management can charge marked (or above-market) rates for roof-top access. 

We are perusing three options and if successful, there is little in the way to prevent us from implementing the network. Our goal is to push this as hard as possible and have a resolution in the next two weeks.

It is going to be a fun couple of months!