INTRODUCTION

The geography and the population distribution of the Maldives cause a major challenge for the Government to achieve equitable development in the country. The people in the outer islands are heavily disadvantaged in terms of income, employment, education, and access to basic social services. As such there is a huge tendency among the people living in the atolls to migrate to the capital Male' where they can seek more opportunities. This inward migration is causing heavy stain on the environment and infrastructure of the capital compromising the quality of life for those living in Male' as well as in the other atolls.

In order to address this issue the Government is now planning to establish regional growth centers which are economically and environmentally sustainable. These centers will provide improved services and income earning opportunities for those who live in these atolls. The proposed Integrated Human Development Project (IHDP) is a part of the Government's overall plan to establish such centers. One of the envisaged components of the IHDP is the Capacity Building for Coordinating and Managing Community Services. This component aims to increase the effectiveness with which resources are used on the Focus Islands (FIs) through encouraging community leadership and management in order to effectively manage resources and avoid duplication of investments in the FIs, and provide necessary infrastructure to improve the services in the FIs listed below:

Lhaviyani Naifaru
Baa Eydhafushi
Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo
Laamu Gan

OBJECTIVES

Broadband Network
Broadband Network is one of the many components of IHDP. It is an integral part of the project because, the Network is used to connect other relevant components of the project. NCIT’s role is to implement this connectivity. Specific tasks in the implementing the Network are noted below:

• Setting up broadband network in the 4 focus islands (B.Eydhafushi, Lh.Naifaru, G.Kudahuvadhoo and L.Gan).
• Build network capacity to support Telemedicine in selected Islands
  Integration of the focus islands into the GNM.
• Connection of schools in the focal islands to the GNM school intranet.
• Undertaking necessary capacity building to support and maintain services delivered over this network.
• Connection of data services at job centers.