NIGERIA REQUESTS DVC EQUIPMENT

UNCLAS ABUJA 000452 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/PD DAVID FOLEY AND IIP/T/EM SANDRA BRUCKNER LAGOS FOR PAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ACOA OIIP KPAO NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA REQUESTS DVC EQUIPMENT REFTEL: STATE 43367 ¶1. Summary. The U.S. mission in Nigeria is anxious to acquire DVC technology, and requests two Polycom VSX-7000 systems for Abuja and Lagos Information Resource Centers. Both sites have established Internet connectivity through local Internet Service Providers (ISPs),who can supply 128 kilobytes as needed. End Summary. DVCs and Nigeria -------------- ¶2. The Mission would like to implement DVC technology in both Lagos and Abuja for PD programming, and eventually for other Mission activities - including joint country team meetings, within-Africa programming on issues such as HIV/AIDS, etc.. We propose using our two Information Resource Centers (IRCs) in Abuja and Lagos as the focal points for launching DVC technology. In both locations, we have established Internet capability that is not dependent on DOS systems but through local ISPs. Both companies have indicated their willingness and capability to provide 128 kilobytes (download of signal as well as uplink) at the two locations. We have discussed within the Mission how best to fund DVC equipment; initially, however, only PAS resources will be available to pay for Internet costs. Given that limitation, we cannot afford 128 kilobytes on a daily basis, but will work with each ISP to provide 128 kilobytes on an as-needed basis for DVCs. We anticipate that other sections of the Mission will come to appreciate the utility of DVCs, we will bill other sections/agencies accordingly, and eventually move to a more unified system of funding for DVCs. However, we must be clear that the U.S. Mission is not currently in a position to fully utilize DVCs with such regularity as to require 128 kilobytes on a daily basis and there is no mechanism within ICASS (or one that is likely to be implemented in the near future) to take immediate advantage of the technology. ¶3. Mission Nigeria appreciates AF/PD's willingness to jumpstart DVC acquisition by posts, and hopes that our request will be favorably reviewed. ROBERTS