wiredinUSA February 2014

INDEX

The Nicaraguan state-owned power companyEmpresaNacionaldeTransmision Electrica (Enatrel) has awarded a joint contract to Daewoo International and Hyundai Engineering to build 138kV electricity transmission lines and five substations. Under the terms of the contract, believed to be worth around $28m, the South Korean companies will design, construct and commission the power substations and 80km of transmission lines in the El Sauce region in the northwest of the country. An undisclosed Daewoo International official said the Nicaraguan deal will provide the company with a foothold to further advance into the central American market, adding: “We will do our best to find more business opportunities in power transmission and renewable energy projects in Latin America and other developing world markets.” South Koreans move into Nicaragua

Dispute halts fiber connection

A disagreement between Dalcom Somalia and Hormud Telecom concerning distribution has brought the connection process in Mogadishu to a standstill. DalCom has been working on the fiber optic connection process for a year, and work was expected to be completed by mid-2014. The Somalian government has made efforts to mediate between the two companies but, to date, no progress has been made and work has ceased. The cause of the disagreement has not been revealed. Analysts believe, however, that having spent up to $7 million on the project, Dalcom Somalia, a joint venture involving several Somali telecommunication companies, will be unlikely to allow the project to fail. Since its introduction, DalCom Somalia has been described as the backbone of Internet operations in Somalia. The company provides a wide range of products and solutions for Internet service providers including corporate and learning institutions, media operators and cyber cafes. Somalia was among the last African countries to have Internet access; its first ISP was established in 1999.

ASIA / AFRICA NEWS

wiredInUSA - February 2014

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