Chronicle Editor
Kiyapili Sibanda, Business Reporter
STATE-OWNED telecommunications operator, TelOne increased its subscriber base by 11 percent to 526 000 in the 2017 second quarter compared to 473 000 recorded in the previous quarter, a report has shown.
During the period active fixed telephone lines increased by 3.7 percent to reach 267 000 from 258 000 active lines recorded in the prior period.
The Postal and Telecommunication Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) indicated in its second quarter sector performance that active fixed telephone lines in urban areas registered an increase, whereas active lines in rural areas declined.
“TelOne increased its switching capacity by 11.2 percent to accommodate 525 989 subscribers from 473 000 subscribers. Active fixed telephone lines increased by 3.7 percent to reach 267 034 from 257 626 active lines recorded in the previous quarter.
“Active fixed telephone lines in urban areas registered an increase, whereas active lines in rural areas declined. The fixed teledensity remained at 1.9 percent,” said Potraz.
According to the report the increase in subscribers was attributed to the commissioning of more fibre optic cable transmission by Liquid and TelOne. This also improved international internet connectivity.
However, Potraz said the total revenue generated by the fixed telephone network declined by 2.2 percent to record $28.5 million from $29.2 million recorded in the previous quarter.
The report noted that this was due to the increase in data and internet services.
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