Some Ugandans who think they have a broadband Internet connection have actually only purchased broadband equipment and not the service, according to Edward Nsubuga, managing director of Data Fundi, an ICT consulting and systems integration company.

At least that is the case if one considers the true definition of broadband, Nsubuga said.

"The quality of access to broadband Internet is poor," he said. "In my office, we get 2M bits of broadband, but this still falls far below the minimum speeds of true broadband. So, in Uganda, providers are selling us broadband equipment and not broadband connectivity."

Three service providers -- MTN Uganda, Uganda Telecom and Infocom Limited -- are only selling broadband equipment and not broadband Internet connectivity to their clients, Nsubuga said while presenting a paper at Uganda's most recent I-Network seminar.

I-Network serves as a monthly platform for individuals and organizations to share knowledge regarding the application of ICT for equitable national development.

Nsubuga went on to bemoan a lack of knowledge regarding broadband availability in Uganda and noted its limitation to urban communities.

"For a service to catch on, people should be aware of it, just like was the case with mobile phones," he said.

While the government has set up its own broadband infrastructure for e-government initiatives, it has failed to enact policies to encourage investment in the technology, Nsubuga added.

"I see a lot of GSM licenses given out by Uganda Communications Commission, the regulator, but no licenses have been given for broadband infrastructure," he said.

Uganda's Ministry of ICT, however, is currently working on a broadband infrastructure strategy for the country. The Uganda Broadband Infrastructure Strategy Team has been tasked with developing an informed position on the options for enabling Uganda to access international broadband infrastructure networks at the earliest opportunity.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.