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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
EFFORTS are being made by the Government to come up with policies that regulate and guide the use and adoption of disruptive technologies that could be adopted with the improved connectivity brought about by low earth orbit satellites like Starlink.
Starlink, a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, offers high-speed internet especially in remote areas where traditional infrastructure is limited.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera yesterday said Government had measures in place to create a level playing field for local internet service providers and telecommunication companies that offer the same service as Starlink. She was speaking at the launch of Aura Group’s Starlink reseller partnership.
Aura and TelOne are so far the only local companies cleared by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) to resell Starlink devices.
Minister Mavetera said it was important to regulate the coming in of new technologies to ensure fairness, while also promoting its responsible use.
“These policies include the artificial intelligence policy, the internet of things policy and the child online safety policy,” she said.
“Online safety is very important as we embrace these newer technologies with criminals now abandoning their traditional weapons for the keyboard.
“While we have promulgated the Cyber and Data Protection Act to deal with such malcontents, the saying that prevention is better than cure still rings true. Let us stay safe online.”
The introduction of low earth orbit satellite technology, said Minister Mavetera, represented a transformative opportunity for underserved and marginalised communities.
Improved connectivity through innovative technologies helped the country to overcome barriers faced in various sectors of the economy.
“By fostering an environment where technology and community needs align, Zimbabwe can better prepare for future challenges, while enhancing overall quality of life,” said Minister Mavetera.
She said the new technology would come in handy for students who face significant barriers to accessing online education due to inadequate connectivity and high costs of compatible devices.
The same would apply for the health sector where the technology could be used to enhance telemedicine services, allowing patients in remote areas to access medical attention from specialist doctors remotely.
“Connectivity is the new oil driving or drawing back economic development in many nations. Zimbabwe can only attain Vision 2030 by improving access to connectivity for all its people.
“It is with this understanding in mind that our policy as a ministry is to open up the sector to more players. We look forward to seeing more players being licenced in the sector as this will increase consumer choices, and contribute to improved internet penetration rates.
“The revenue that these licenced players will pay to the tax authorities is another reason for us to jubilate as Zimbabwe,” the Minister added.
Aura Group CEO Mr Samuelle Dimairho said: “Together with Starlink, we will act as catalysts for empowering under-served communities, including healthcare services, enhancing food security, extending access to information and supporting value addition and beneficiation in various technologies using the backbone of cheap, affordable, high-speed internet.
“We can have mobile applications where we monitor our fields and actually monitor the amount of water that is being pumped. We can also do this by having smart, mobile applications where we can monitor how much water is being pumped.”
NatPharm managing director Mr Newman Madzikwa said improved connectivity is the gateway to reaching out to the difficult to reach areas to deliver healthcare services.
“We are talking about making sure that the amount of products that we have in our system are able to reach where they are needed the most.
“We are also talking about the actual health delivery system through the telemedicine mechanism, where it is possible to actually get experts that are miles away, assisting the healthcare professionals that are actually with the patient at that particular moment in time to instruct and to advise what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and be able to visualise through technology,” he said.
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