ICTs affordability key for development

Tawanda Musarurwa
With Government having identified Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) as a key economic pillar, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe says it continues to work to ensure affordability.
ICTs provide significant development opportunities, but their cost continues to be a major development
obstacle, especially in peri-urban and rural communities.
POTRAZ director general Gift Machengete said connectivity and affordability of ICT services are “not mutually exclusive.”
“Connectivity and more significantly the Internet are the most important enablers of our time when it comes to social development and economic growth. ICTs provide opportunities for inclusion in a wide range of financial, social and economic spheres.
“However, as we move to address connectivity requirements, it is important to bear in mind the crucial importance of affordability by consumers,” said Dr Machengete on the sidelines of the launch of a Community Information Centre (CIC) in Charandura recently.
The Government’s focus on setting up CIC in rural and peri-urban centres across Zimbabwe is reflective of a strategic shift from universal service (for instance, one telephone per household) to universal access policies (that is, access to communications and ICT through community access points) shows the need to address affordability concerns.
The CIC drive, a universal access policy, aimed at developing solutions that provide community access at affordable prices is being funded through the Universal Services Fund (USF) through POTRAZ.
Added Dr Machengete:
“Connectivity and affordability are not mutually exclusive. The two have an unmistaken correlation. One without the other is actually counterproductive and indeed meaningless to the intended beneficiaries.
“It is, therefore, important that every player in the ecosystem plays their part in ensuring that quality services are provided at affordable rates.
“This can be achieved broadband infrastructure sharing and use of appropriate technologies taking into account terrain and population density among other factors. This is aimed at improving efficiencies, thereby lowering costs of roll out, much to the benefit of the end user.”