The local connectivity Contract has been awarded to the Kenya Data Network.This is a two year contract worth approximately $3.2 million.

In the next 14 weeks, implementation of the local connectivity project will connect 23 institutions to one of the six KENET points of presence (POPs) using high speed (10 Mb/s) predominantly optical optical fiber links (only four institutions will be connected using digital microwave links at the same speed of 10 Mb/s). Research institutions will also be connected to KENET POPs in this phase. All of the KENET POPs will in turn be interconnected using 100 Mb/s links. This will be the end of Phase 1implementation.

Phase 2 will connect the remaining institutions in the subsequent 14 weeks. This will only apply to institutions that committed to participate and joined KENET as members (e.g., some institutions that were in the bid documents have indicated that they are committed to other providers and will be replaced by others that have signed commitment letters).