PM says gov’t continuing with China-funded broadband project

The PPP/C government will continue with the China-funded US$37.6 million National Broadband Expansion Project to be implemented by Chinese firm Huawei and Prime Minister Mark Phillips said that national security considerations will be taken into consideration.

“Our current plan is to complete the implementation of the current broadband programme. As it pertains to future expansions, costs and funding those are matters that are still to be conceptualised and planned for in the near future,” Phillips told the Sunday Stabroek in an interview on Friday when asked for a status update on the project.

“To begin with, the project is funded through a loan from the Government of China. Any review of the broadband programme, especially as it pertains to Huawei’s continued involvement in the project will be objectively done by our technical staff taking into consideration our current ICT needs, and our national security considerations and concerns,” he added.