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Minister Supa Mandiwanzira
Business Reporters
The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Service, Supa Mandiwanzira has challenged telecommunications companies to consider a significant downward review of broadband charges taking a cue from State-owned TelOne which is offering data at 90 percent discount on prevailing charges.
Unveiling the new TelOne logo, the launch of TelOne Metro WiFi Service and the launch of the TelOne Fibre to the Home Service last Friday, Minister Mandiwanzira said other ICT companies should follow suit.
He said innovation drives change and that TelOne has taken a bold step towards revolutionising telecommunications in Zimbabwe.
“Today’s telecommunication services consumer demands ubiquitous access to their services from anywhere without being bothered about the underlying network.
“I am glad that TelOne has embraced this opportunity of being at the forefront and responding to changing customer needs,” said Minister Mandiwanzira.
He said the move by TelOne resonates well with the Government’s efforts through the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.
“Profitability for all State Owned Enterprises and providing affordable connectivity to all Zimbabweans are key enablers to economic transformation of Zimbabwe. Indeed TelOne has demonstrated that it is possible to achieve much with very little investment and this is what the Government would like to see in all state owned enterprises,” said Minister Mandiwanzira.
Zim-Asset identifies ICT as an enabler and driver for economic growth across the sectors.
TelOne is rolling out a plan of the Wi-Fi service which in the next few months would be in almost every corner in the country’s major towns, tertiary institutions and major exhibition centres.
The service is available to both the informal and formal sectors of the economy.
The informal sector is currently a key source of employment and economic activity with an estimated $5 billion being transacted by this sector alone annually.
“It is therefore exciting to note that TelOne has designed a product that caters for the needs of this sector and it will be interesting to see how businesses at Mupedzanhamo in Mbare will be transacted and enhanced through the TelOne internet,” he said.
TelOne managing director Mrs Chipo Mutasa said the company forecasts a growth in revenue for the year following investments in innovative products and services.
She said the telecommunications industry is evolving and TelOne has taken a giant step of unveiling its fibre to the home network making it by far the largest fibre operator in Zimbabwe
“The company will launch Telone Metro Wi-fi in Harare and the Wi-fi can be used with any Wi-fi enabled gadget. Telone is working towards providing internet at the lowest cost,” said Mrs Mutasa. TelOne has been mandated to expand and upgrade ICT infrastructure in order to improve the provision and delivery of broadband services in Zimbabwe.
The telecoms company has expanded its ADSL coverage, increase its optic fibre foot print, introduce a low cost broadband solution via satellite and digitalise its exchanges for provision of value added services in a bid to bridge the digital divide.
Now TelOne is witnessing a significant milestone of having fibre at the doorstep of every business and home in Zimbabwe.
A lot of course is yet to be achieved but this first step by TelOne is definitely the most notable and significant stride to affordable broadband access by all.
TelOne has now managed to complete metro optic fibre rings in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo, Victoria Falls, Kariba and Kwekwe.