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By Staff Writer
In an effort aimed at complementing the government’s overall digital transformation drive, sharing infrastructure for the development of the economy as well as expanding its fibre network, TelOne has launched the Blaze LTE in Chitungwiza.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Chitungwiza on the 13th of April 2022, the Minister of Information Communications Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere said it was high time the nation moves to deliver robust and reliable connectivity so that the Government agenda of smart cities and a digital economy come to life.
The launch of LTE, Minister Muswere highlighted, fulfills the people’s right to access information through digital connectivity.
“As Government, it is our duty to ensure that citizen’s rights are met. The right of access to information for our Citizens is being realised through our current digitalization drive which includes encouraging our Telecoms to come up with services such as one being commissioned today. Ladies and gentlemen as we work towards achieving a knowledge-based society to enhance our country’s competitiveness and to achieve sustainable economic growth, a better way to do this is to bring connectivity to the people,” he said.
Through the digitalisation drive, he reiterated the Government’s endeavour to bring connectivity to under-served communities and leave no one and no place behind.
“To accomplish this target, the Ministry accompanied by Telecoms Companies have been to schools and communities countrywide setting up ICT labs. We are positive that our drive will aid in the attainment of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
“The Commissioning of the LTE wireless solution by TelOne today compliments our overall digital transformation drive and I am pleased that through the shared 10 base stations, TelOne will provide 100% coverage and a faster network to more than six thousand households here in Chitungwiza. Having said that, nowadays we also talk of Smart everything, from Smart Cities to Smart Agriculture. Now that the LTE service is now in Chitungwiza I am certain that from today onwards we will start to experience more smart homes and of course e-learning for our children.”
He emphasised the fact that infrastructure sharing in telecoms is an important measure to reduce costs and avoid duplication.
“It helps reduce infrastructure capital investment expenses and lower operational costs which in the long run will increase efficiencies. Further, it is a good thing that operators will shift focus from network deployment to service-based innovation resulting in more customer-centric services like the Blaze LTE service that has just been commissioned.
“From a financial perspective, sharing infrastructure will optimize the utilization of the much-needed foreign currency as it eliminates duplication of infrastructure. We, therefore, call upon all Telecoms companies and corporates to embrace the culture of infrastructure sharing to preserve our coffers.”
The Minister added that the expansion of TelOne’s Network speaks directly to the National Development Strategy One (NDS1) which requires setting up an all-encompassing digital economy.
“Certainly, the connection of businesses with fast and reliable internet is a crucial component as we implement NDS1. When businesses are connected, they become more competitive and in turn contribute towards the growth of our economy.”
The government, he said, is committed to creating a conducive environment to enhance the ease of doing business as evidenced by the expansion of Fibre connectivity by TelOne.
“I would like to assure you that as Government and through the use of ICTs, we will continue to work flat out to ensure that we create a conducive environment for businesses, facilitate job creation for our youths, and have an inclusive digital economy to benefit every Zimbabwean.”
Dr. Gift Machengete, the Director-General of the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) in his solidarity message, commended the good work by TelOne and said it shows the state-owned enterprise’s seriousness in the work it does.
He said POTRAZ as the regulator, will definitely avail the spectrum that TelOne requires.
“Let me warn operators that are not utilising their spectrum that it will be taken away and be given to those who are doing work that fulfills the mandate of this country. I am also happy to note that the TelOne board and management’s vision dovetails with that of the government and regulator. That vision is to cut down on costs through infrastructure sharing. This has become a reality. We encourage all the operators to relocate towers and ensure that the infrastructure sharing project is fulfilled,” Dr. Machengete said before adding that the postal and telecommunication sector is poised for better things.
“COVID has created a lot of opportunities for the sector. Lots and lots of innovations can be done. We expect those innovations to bear fruit.”
