Please note - this article was slightly condensed to fit the available space.
ACCESS TO INTERNET
THE 10 PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED
by Feno Randrianirina
L'EXPRESS de Madagascar
February 11, 1997
DTS is no longer in a monopoly position in providing access to Internet. Nine
new ISPs have joined in. The commission, especially set up to select potential
ISPs, published the names of 10 Internet Service Providers who will operate in
the capital city. These firms have been approved on the basis of their
knowledge of Internet and other criteria, including performance.
The names of the firms that will provide access to Internet to other firms and
individuals in the capital city under the Leland Initiative have been published
yesterday at the American Cultural Center.
DTS, Creapro, Alias, Network, Compro, Simicro, Internet, Blanche Birger,
Synergie, and Vittel have been selected out of 13 bidders by a commission set
up for this occasion. These firms have been approved for a good part on the
basis of their technical knowledge of Internet, their competence and
professionalism, their performance in the area of marketing techniques, and,
lastly, the location of their future headquarters.
Mr. Jim Lowenthal, a Leland Initiative expert, was impressed by the quality of the bids submitted by the
firms. The 10 nominated firms have obtained more than 75 points out of 100
during the selection. The case of agencies and NGOs that wish to participate
in the extension of Internet in Madagascar will be further reviewed in details
later...
The success of the initiative will depend on the level of accountability of the
Malagasy. In addition, the Americans are confident regarding the Telma team's
and the providers' competence. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Postal
Services and Telecommunications even hopes to find these providers already
operational on the Celebration Day of Telecommunications, i.e. May 17, 1997.
We are now in the stage of translating the initiative into concrete action
aimed at making Internet part of daily life in the Big Island. We are
optimistic. Let us hope that Internet will be beneficial at economic, social,
and cultural levels.
Feno Randrianirina
L'EXPRESS de Madagascar
February 11, 1997
TELMA Creates Internet Service Provider Opportunities In Madagascar
The following announcement is provided as a service to the general public and
the Government of Madagascar's Telecom Malagasy. The opportunity described
in the announcement does not involve USAID financing.
The U.S. Agency for International Development would like to announce that the
Government of Madagascar's Telecom Malagasy (state telecommunications operator)
will be qualifying private firms interested in providing Internet access in
Madagascar. Selected Internet access providers will be able to purchase a 64
kb feed from Madagascar's national gateway which is being developed through
USAID's Leland Initiative. Telecom Malagasy has indicated that it intends to
select the initial firms no later than January 31, 1997. In order to
participate in the first round selection process, proposals must be submitted
to Telecom Malagasy no later than January 24th, 1997. Interested firms should
obtain terms of reference guidelines from Mr. Etienne Raminonjatove, Attache de
Direction, Telecom Malagasy, Direction Generale (Developpement-Partenariat),
Immeuble TELMA, 4eme etage, Analakely, BP 763, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar,
Telephone and Fax (261 2) 315 23. Following the initial round of selections,
and after the first providers have all been satisfactorily connected, Telecom
Malagasy intend to continue to accept and consider proposals to function as an
ISP whenever these are received.
No USAID financial or material assistance is being made available to firms
which qualify to function as an ISP in Madagascar; nor is USAID a party to any
aspect of the relationship between Telecom Malagasy and qualified ISP firms.
For tracking purposes only, feel free to provide copies of your proposal to
the USAID Mission in Antananarivo, David Flavell, Leland Coordinator,
Tel. (261 2) 254 89, Fax (261 2) 348 83, Email: <dflavell@usaid.gov>.
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