Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter
STATE-owned telecommunications provider NetOne has established more than 60 new network sites across Matabeleland in the first half of 2025, significantly improving mobile connectivity and digital access in the region.
The rollout includes 27 3G and 4G sites in Bulawayo, 12 in Matabeleland North and 22 in Matabeleland South, as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide.
In Bulawayo, the newly completed and operational sites include Mountain View, Sauerstown, Sunninghill, Parkview, Suburbs 2, Montrose 2, Queens Park East Shops, Queens Park West Shops, Njube 2, Mpopoma, Woodville, Kingsdale, Khumalo Street Church, Bradfield Shops, North End, Manningdale, Matshobana, Tshabalala 2 (Mambo Beer Garden), Nketa 7, Tshabalala Library, Macdonald Club, Imbizo Turnoff and Kensington 2.
Sites still under development in Bulawayo include Cowdray Park, Mpopoma South, Airport Road and Nyamandlovu Turn-off.
In Matabeleland North, completed sites include Matetsi, Baobab and Chinotimba. Ongoing works are underway at Hwange ZPC, Dollar Block, Inyathi Business Centre, Queens Mine, Springs Range Farm, Gorges Lodge, Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Transmedia and Nkayi Centre 2.
In Matabeleland South, functional sites now include Gwanda CBD 1 and 2, Gwanda State University, Beitbridge-OJs, Insiza-Lambamai, Gwanda-Blanket Mine, Umzingwane Farm, Esigodini-How Mine, Bulilima-Tjankwa and Bulilima-Ntoli.
Sites under development in the province include Gwanda Jahunda Water Tanks, Umzingwane-Falcon College, Gwanda CBD, Beitbridge-Mazunga, Bulilima-Kungubo, Insiza-Fort Rixon, Matobo Police, Umzingwane-Shale, Insiza-Gwatemba, Bulilima-Maitengwe, Gwanda-Mlampaphele and Mangwe-Mphoengs.
NetOne’s chief technical officer, Engineer Christopher Muchechemera said the expansion reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring equitable access to communication services.
“With over 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s population residing in rural areas, the lack of reliable communication infrastructure has historically hindered development. Recognising this gap, as NetOne, we embarked on an ambitious expansion programme to extend our network coverage to even the most remote corners of the country,” he said.
“Compared to H12024 and H12025, we have done more new sites in the latter than the former, which shows that we are a beacon of hope for rural communities.”
—@mthabisi_mthire
