By Angella Nabwowe

In an effort to reduce call costs between countries, facilitate commerce and regional integration, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has embarked on an ambitious project to develop a single SIM-card usable right across the African continent.
A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is a small printed circuit board that must be inserted in any GSM-based mobile phone when signing on as a subscriber. The SIM card stores data that identifies the caller to the network service provider.
The single African SIM-card, to be used for both mobile and fixed lines is envisaged to improve the intra-Africa network.
Akossi Akossi, the secretary general of the Africa Telecommunications Union, revealed this initiative while presenting a paper on postal services, infrastructure and access at the African Regional preparatory conference for the WSIS.
The feasibility study, expected to last 12 months has a budget of $800 000. The African Development Bank (ADB) is providing the financial backing while the ATU is to provide all the equipment needed for the project. The project is to be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
“The roaming system is very expensive with strictly prepaid arrangements; even having a satellite phone is very expensive. The tariffs are going to be very reasonable and receiving calls across countries will be free, unlike roaming.”
In terms of the project, subscribers will be given a special country code on payment of a flat fee. “Tariff is the same in all participating countries and we shall consider the region a single network,” said Akossi.
He called on investors in the international business community to show an interest in the project in order to speed up the institutional frame work. According to Akossi, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is supporting the project which is on the verge of becoming reality.
For governments, the advantage of the African SIM card will be an improvement of infrastructure at national, regional and continental level as well as harmonised telecommunications regulations. Existing telephony providers will have the advantage of operating in a much larger market.
Akossi, however, cites the example of infrastructure and consequential connectivity as a possible major draw back to the project, but said implementation is expected to kick-start after twelve months.
The pan-African mobile network is expected to improve on the development of commerce and socio-economic integration of African countries.
He pointed out that invitations have already been sent out to stakeholders for a review meeting to take place in March, 2005 to finalise the terms of reference and management of the project.