- CanalBox, a new broadband Internet service provider, has officially launched in Uganda following an investment of more than Shs50 billion ( $13.5 million) over the past 11 months in the country.
- Developed by Group Vivendi Africa (GVA), a Vivendi subsidiary focused on delivering Internet across the continent, the project aims to connect 500,000 homes in Kampala and Wakiso to its services within three to four years, significantly enhancing Internet penetration in Uganda.
CanalBox’s fibre optic Internet employs light pulses for data transmission, resulting in faster and more reliable coverage.
The new broadband service offers two plans: the “Start” plan, priced at UGX 110,000 ($29.79) per month, and the “Premium” plan, at UGX 200,000 ($54.17) per month. These rates are five times cheaper than the current market rates.
Jean-François Duboy, the Managing Director of GVA, stated that the objective of the Internet provider is to democratise broadband Internet access through fibre. He highlighted that with its competitive pricing, speed, and value, CanalBox will have a transformative impact, enabling many Ugandan families to access high-speed internet in their homes.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, announced that the government is committed to supporting efforts to increase broadband penetration as part of its Vision 2040 initiative. He expressed his appreciation for GVA’s long-term investments in fibre optic infrastructure.
Tayebwa also urged the ISP to ensure zero-rate access to all educational websites, making it easier for children in Wakiso and surrounding areas to access online learning resources. This request aligns with the country’s recent digital prototype village initiative and the introduction of iris verification for security enhancement.
These initiatives highlight the government's deliberate efforts to usher in a transformative era in Uganda.
Since 2014, Vivendi claims to have expanded into content, media, and communications, incorporating companies like Canal+ Group, Lagardère, Havas, Prisma Media, and Gameloft.
In the past 11 months, GVA has connected over 5,000 homes to CanalBox fibre Internet, making Kampala the 13th city and Uganda the 8th African country to benefit from its services.