adminTanaka Mahanya
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is promoting competition by accepting new participants to improve access to and adoption of broadband services at Government, business, household and individual levels.
POTRAZ director general, Gift Machengete, said the authority recognises the socio-economic importance of broadband and its transformative benefits to national development and overall quality of life.
“Zimbabwe has always had three Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
“Despite increasing demand for telecommunication services, the Authority could not licence additional operators due to the limited spectrum resources.
“However, in order to create space for new players in the sector, the authority in 2021, introduced the Converged Licensing Framework, which saw the introduction of special licence categories,” he said.
He said POTRAZ also introduced the new licensing regime as a response to technological advancements where all services are now converging on the Internet Protocol (IP) platform.
“In line with this objective, the authority has given fibre connections rollout targets.
“As part of these targets, fibre connections shall provide network facilities covering rural underserved and unserved areas to cater for marginalised communities.
“Everything in our lives is going digital, from governance, healthcare, agriculture, education, entertainment, manufacturing, retail, mining, international trade, travel and tourism, sport as well as social life, among others.
“Indeed, broadband access has become the new catalyst for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness and a better way of life. It is enabling entire new industries and unlocking vast new possibilities for existing ones.
“It supports business continuity, perpetuates knowledge transfer and enables civil society participation and engagement through the use of e-government services,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter