‘Digital transformation becoming reality in Zim’
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) says the deployment of higher data capacity base stations by mobile network operators (MNOs) is evidence that digital transformation is fast becoming a reality in the country.
A vibrant digital economy is at the heart of the Government’s transformation agenda as Zimbabwe leverages modern technology to positively impact people’s lives in line with the aspirations of an upper middle-income society by 2030.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has been making strides in offering digital services from online tax filing to e-healthcare systems resulting in improving efficiency and transparency in Government operations in fighting corruption and enhancing public service.
Potraz in its first quarter report said the number of base stations increased following the deployment of 109 new base stations by the country’s three Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
During the last quarter of 2023, the MNOs namely Econet, NetOne and Telecel deployed a total of 161 new base stations.
“Digital transformation is fast becoming a reality as evidenced by a surge in data consumption through increased use of online trading, e-government, other digital platforms, and Internet of Things (IoT).
“This trend has necessitated the apparent preference by MNOs to deploy higher data capacity 3G and 4G (LTE) base stations compared to 2G base stations.
“A total of 66 3G and 52 LTE (4G) base stations were deployed during the quarter under review,” said Potraz.
The telecommunications regulator indicated that in the fourth quarter of last year, 3G base stations totalled 3 478 while LTE base stations were 2 289.
The total number of active data/Internet subscriptions grew by 2,78 percent to reach 11,6 million in the first quarter compared to 11,2 million recorded in the fourth quarter of last year.
Potraz said during the first quarter of the year, the number of fixed telephone subscriptions contracted by 5,97 percent to reach 291 160.
“This contraction in active fixed telephone subscriptions resulted in a 0,12 percent decline in fixed tele-density to reach 1,90 percent.
“Contraction in fixed telephone subscriptions may be attributed to mobile substitution due to increasing popularity and widespread adoption of mobile phones, which offer mobility convenience,” it said.-herald
