Co-located base stations, where telecommunications providers use Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) towers and share many of the costs, are being pushed hard by the regulator to ensure all unserved pockets in marginalised communities across the country receive coverage.
These special base stations sharing infrastructure can be moved to more sparsely populated areas as the mobile phone providers build up their individual networks as traffic increases.
Potraz remained committed to the provision of digital services as the country steps up efforts of digitalising the economy in pursuit of Vision 2030.
The digitisation of the economy creates benefits and efficiencies as digital technologies drive innovation and fuel job opportunities and economic growth.
Addressing attendants at the commissioning of computer laboratories in Matabeleland South, Potraz director-general Dr Gift Machengete said the Government was leaving no one and no place behind in the quest to attain a digital economy.
“The clarion call that came from the communities was that of coverage and at every school we visited the request from the communities was for base stations,” he said.
“Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere gave the assurance that this problem was being attended to and shall soon be a thing of the past. True to this I am happy to announce that Bulilima District is a recipient of a base station at Nswazwi which was relocated from Shangani under the Potraz funded tower relocation programme.
“Works at the Shangani site are 100 percent complete and civil works at Nswazwi coverage extension site are also 100 percent complete. Nswazwi access road is at 90 percent completion and we are now working on a power solution for the site, after which all the three mobile network operators Econet, NetOne and Telecel will come on air at the site.”
Dr Machengete said more co-located base stations shall be relocated as they ensure all unserved and underserved pockets in Matabeleland South and other parts of the country receive coverage. – The Herald
