CDMA Switch-On Disrupted by Snow

On Saturday, December 24, 2006 Ministry of Communications through Afghan Telecom inaugurated the CDMA Switch consisting 2000 phone lines in Daikundi Province, although heavy snow disrupted the planed launch ceremony.

"I from deep of my heart wanted to fly to Daikundi Province to inaugurate the CDMA Switch consisting 2000 Digital phones Capacity through cutting a ribbon, but unfortunately due to the heavy snow and inaccessibility I could not arrive there, and I eventually decided to inaugurate this CDMA Switch through Video Conference" said H. E. Eng. Amirzai Sangin Minister of Communications in an augural Ceremony held for this purpose in the Ministry of Communications.

Sangin said that this CDMA Switch has the Capacity of 2,000 wireless CDMA phones that has been funded by the developmental budget of the Ministry of Communications at a cost of US$716,000.

It is said that this is the first time that Daikundi province has been connected locally and internationally through Video Conference, Phone, internet and Fax.

Daykundi province is famous for having the best quality almonds, which are distributed all over Afghanistan. Many of the valleys are however inaccessible during the winter due to snow, and during former years there was even the need to drop medicine by helicopter since the mountainous area situated up to 3000m above sea level is not accessible from outside up to the end of winter in March/April. The charity, Caritas Germany has set up two emergency health posts in the region for this coming winter."

Posted to the site on 3rd January 2007