Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma recently in BINGA
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), in collaboration with service providers, has relocated over 40 base stations to previously underserved areas.
The initiative, known as the Tower Relocation Project (TRP), is being implemented by service providers NetOne, Econet, and Telecel. Under the TRP programme, sites with two or more base stations—commonly referred to as boosters—are having these relocated to areas in greater need of network connectivity.
Spread across the country, of the relocated base stations, 27 are now operational, with nine sites completed (civil and construction works done) and awaiting Radio Access Network (RAN) installation, while eight projects remain under construction.
In Matabeleland South Province, operational sites include Mapholisa in Mangwe District and Nswazi in Bulilima District. In Matabeleland North, Sinamusanga in Binga District is now on air, as is Mbuyanehanda in Mberengwa District in the Midlands Province.
In Mashonaland Central, operational sites include Cranham in Mazowe, Chatumbama and Mukumbura in Mt Darwin, Gunganyama and Mukosa in Rushinga, Chitsungo and Guruve Nyamuseve in Guruve, and Nyamahobogo in Mt Darwin.
Masvingo Province has new base stations on air at Svuure and Ngwana Range in Zaka District, and Gezani and Chikwarakwara in Chiredzi District.
In Manicaland Province, Nyakomba in Nyanga District and Mutanda Range in Odzi are now operational.
Other sites that are now operational include Trelawney in Zvimba (Mashonaland West), Karimbika in Pfungwe (Mashonaland East), Avilla/Fombe in Nyanga (Manicaland), Muchekawakasungabeta in Sanyati (Mashonaland West), Zvipani in Hurungwe (Mashonaland West), Fair Adventure in Hwedza (Mashonaland East), Msampakaruma in Kariba (Mashonaland West), and Ginger Turnoff in Mudzi (Mashonaland East).
Sites where civil works have been completed and are awaiting RAN installation include Maitengwe, Mlambaphele, and Mphoengs in Matabeleland South; Gunganyama and Mukosa in Rushinga (Mashonaland Central); and Nyakomba in Nyanga (Manicaland).
Sites currently under construction include the Gwampa area in Nkayi (Matabeleland North), Makonde Obva and Makonde Muvhami in Makonde (Mashonaland West), Musadzi in Gokwe (Midlands), Muzungurira in Shamva (Mashonaland Central), Chipfiko Dam in Mutoko (Mashonaland East), Mola in Kariba (Mashonaland West), and Gotekote in Nyanga (Manicaland).
Potraz Director-General, Dr Gift Machengete, said the authority is working tirelessly to ensure that all corners of the country have access to network connectivity.
“The TRP programme has been progressing very well. Previously, we needed around 350 towers to achieve nationwide coverage, but due to resource constraints, this was not feasible.
“We sought assistance from China and other countries, but were unsuccessful. That’s when the concept of relocation was born, and we can now see that this project is bearing fruit,” said Dr Machengete.
