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FLEDGLING communications company Aquiva Wireless is set to launch an expansion programme that will involve venturing into the provision of value added services.
Currently, the business concentrates on supplying ICT infrastructure.
In a sector that is dominated by TelOne, Liquid Telecoms and Powertel, Aquiva says provision of services at relatively lower prices will help capture a significant share of the market.
The company’s CEO, Mr Blessing Mutenga, told The Sunday Mail Business that the firm had partnered the National Railways of Zimbabwe and Telecel to develop a fibre backbone link connecting Plumtree and Harare.
“Aquiva Wireless has embarked on a strategic turnaround programme which is meant to give the company a cost advantage as it gets into retail business space. The strategy focuses on cost reduction of international bandwidth as well as local transmission trunk services.
“In pursuit of this, the company has entered into a strategic partnership with Telecel Zimbabwe and National Railways of Zimbabwe, joining forces in developing a fibre backbone link connecting Plumtree to Harare in order to access cheaper International Bandwidth Services.
“Public consultations are underway for the environmental impact assessment and should be completed
this month ahead of issuance of the
EIA certificate by the Environmental Management Authority, and that should see commencement of works,” he said.
Mr Mutenga added that the programme was also in response to concerns by Zimbabweans that Internet services were expensive here as compared to the rest of Southern Africa.
“It is generally agreed that the local consumer currently pays more for bandwidth and we hope to give Zimbabweans some relief, it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to access the internet.
“We appreciate that the consumer needs a primary internet connection which is reliable, consistent, uninterrupted affordable and cost effective hence this programme we have launched,” he said.
Aquiva will also support connectivity through infrastructure sharing agreements, including guaranteeing satellite connectivity for all service requests outside the company’s cable coverage.
The company said the move towards e-learning and plastic money required greater Internet and IT services provision.
Online Reporter