Telecom & IT / Zimbabwe
Digital infrastructure to boost economy
Netone’s high-speed mobile services set to connect nation
State-owned mobile operator NetOne wants to bring Zimbabweans closer together. Following its recent nationwide mobile infrastructure network, NetOne is helping grow Zimbabwe’s economy by expanding its digital capabilities.
Known locally as ‘the people’s network’, after involving rurally located citizens in the process of selecting base stations, NetOne are the recent beneficiaries of a $218 million loan from the Chinese Exim bank.
With the highest literacy rate in Africa, Zimbabwe is uniquely placed to benefit from high-speed internet. Improved data connections can incorporate those in rural areas into active economic participants, as well as making daily transactions easier for those in urban areas.
One Wallet, a mobile money transfer service has utilized their data network allowing financial transactions to be made using just a 128k SIM.
Managing Director, Mr. Reward Kangai said, “By the end of the year, we would have rolled out 4G, allowing NetOne to deliver truly high speed mobile data connectivity, right through to remote rural areas.”
NetOne is collaborating with Chinese company, Huawei Technologies. Mr Kangai revealed, “We require a lot of investment in the ICT sector. This is where the Chinese have come in. We are very open to working with them.”
