adminTanaka Mahanya
THE GOVERNMENT is committed to ensuring the provision of robust and reliable communications infrastructure across the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Fibre Connections Zimbabwe Network in Victoria Falls, ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere, said ICT is one of the key enablers in the drive to become an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Fibre Connections, a newly licensed company offering network infrastructure, is laying 2 000km of fibre along the rail network, which will see Zimbabwe becoming the hub for Internet connectivity in Southern Africa.
“Fibre Connections came to Zimbabwe in 2020 with the view of setting up a telecommunications network.
“In February 2022 they were awarded the necessary telecommunication licences by POTRAZ. The construction of the fibre network commenced in April this year and what we are witnessing today is the last mile of the deployment,” he said.
Minister Muswere applauded support they have received from TelOne, Dandemutande, Powertel and Dark Fibre Africa.
“I am therefore delighted by the attainment of this milestone as it also signifies investment inflows into our country, and that indeed Zimbabwe is open for business.
“And for Zimbabwe in general, it helps to cement our natural geographic location of being a regional hub for transport and in the recent era; as a communications hub.
“The investment in this network, not only brings foreign direct investment into Zimbabwe’s economy, but brings along with it high-speed data connectivity which allows communities along the railway line from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls the opportunity to partake of the opportunities that the internet brings to communities.”
He said the milestone opens opportunities for symbiotic relationships with other entities within and outside Zimbabwe.
These opportunities will trickle down to users of data services and other licensees, as they will not necessarily need to build their own telecoms infrastructure.
They will leverage on the new installation and infrastructure sharing, thereby lowering end-user costs.
“Additionally, the new network also brings along opportunities at individual level to our people who will have the privilege of securing employment and downstream business opportunities from Fibre Connections.
“The project itself has already created employment for a good number of our people during its implementation and is expected to create even more quality jobs in the short to medium term,” he said.
Online Reporter