adminOver the past decade of economic contraction, ISPs resorted to source bandwidth from international players thereby prejudicing the country of potential revenue.
In terms of the law, ISPs should access bandwidth from the 13 licensed internet access providers in the country such as Tel- One.
Potraz director-general Mr Charles Sibanda said introduction of the broadband platform by mobile service operators in the country had significantly reduced the cost of international bandwidth on the local market.
Econet and Telecel are now offering broadband services to a cumulative subscriber base of about six million people, with NetOne on the verge of joining the fray.
“During the hyperinflationary era, ISPs were failing to source bandwidth from registered service providers because it was expensive.
“But with the fibre optic cable becoming more prominent, that has since changed,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said before adoption of the multiple currency system, the regulating authority had flushed out a significant number of IPSs who were mounting satellites to directly access bandwidth from international players.
However, following introduction of broadband internet by mobile service operators, installing satellites to access bandwidth was now costly, he said.
“We have people moving around inspecting whether ISPs are still using satellites to access bandwidth. Licensed players should source international bandwidth,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said there was, however, need to introduce more internet providers to spread the service to remote areas.
“Most service providers are in Harare and Bulawayo and they are not enough. We need more players to cover isolated towns,” said Mr Sibanda, noting that people in rural areas had limited access to internet services.
Over the past three years, internet connectivity in Zimbabwe has significantly improved thanks to the various broadband projects that mobile service providers have rolled out. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter