Luanda - The Angolan minister of Telecommunications and Information Technologies, José Carvalho da Rocha, said in Luanda the first phase of installation of fibre optic system, nationwide, will be concluded by 2011, with interconnection of the capitals of the country's 18 provinces.

Speaking to Angop, on the progress achieved by the sector along the 35 years of Independence, celebrated on 11 November, the minister assured that over 6,000 kilometres of cable have already been installed at the moment, representing 60 percent of the conclusion of project.

“The project is running smoothly. The first phase's goal will cover the 18 capitals of provinces and at the moment we have about 60 percent of project installed, as predicted”, emphasised the minister.

He said that currently the works are underway in the country's eastern region, expressing optimism that the network will be completed by 2011.

Amongst the gains that marked the sector, the minister mentioned in particular the evolution of technology and the services recorded since 2002 with the achievement of effective peace, reflected in stabilisation of cell phone network that benefits 47 percent of Angolans.