In a major development for Uganda’s digital landscape, CanalBox, a new broadband Internet service provider, has officially launched in the country, following an impressive investment of over Shs50 billion ($13.5 million) in the past 11 months. Developed by Group Vivendi Africa (GVA), a subsidiary of Vivendi, CanalBox aims to revolutionize Internet access across the continent.
The project has set its sights on connecting 500,000 homes in Kampala and Wakiso within the next three to four years as the initiative is expected to significantly enhance Internet penetration in Uganda, where reliable and affordable Internet has been a persistent challenge. CanalBox’s entry into the market is seen as a game-changer.
Employing state-of-the-art fibre optic technology for data transmission, CanalBox uses light pulses to ensure faster and more reliable Internet coverage. The service offers two affordable plans: the “Start” plan at UGX 110,000 ($29.79) per month, and the “Premium” plan at UGX 200,000 ($54.17) per month. These rates are significantly lower than the current market rates, making high-speed Internet more accessible to many Ugandan households.
Jean-François Duboy, the Managing Director of GVA, emphasized the company’s mission to democratize broadband Internet access through fibre technology. He highlighted that CanalBox’s competitive pricing, speed, and value proposition would have a transformative impact, enabling many Ugandan families to access high-speed Internet in their homes.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, commended GVA’s investment and reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing broadband penetration as part of its Vision 2040 initiative. He expressed his appreciation for GVA’s long-term investments in fibre optic infrastructure, which align with the country’s digital transformation goals.
Tayebwa also urged CanalBox to ensure zero-rate access to all educational websites, facilitating online learning for children in Wakiso and surrounding areas. This request aligns with Uganda’s recent digital prototype village initiative and the introduction of iris verification for enhanced security, reflecting the government’s dedication to a transformative digital era.
Since 2014, Vivendi has expanded into various sectors, including content, media, and communications, incorporating companies like Canal+ Group, Lagardère, Havas, Prisma Media, and Gameloft. This diverse portfolio underlines Vivendi’s commitment to innovation and connectivity across Africa.
In the past 11 months, GVA has connected over 5,000 homes to CanalBox fibre Internet, marking Kampala as the 13th city and Uganda as the 8th African country to benefit from its services.