Chitungwiza welcomes LTE data connectivity

Chitungwiza welcomes LTE data connectivity

• As 16 000 Chitungwiza households get affordable ICT Connectivity

 

Brian Rungano Temba

 

In its ongoing digitalisation drive towards improving access to information through digital connectivity, government has commissioned the Chitungwiza TelOne Blaze LTE service.

 

TelOne Blaze is an affordable internet package that was introduced in 2019 as an alternative to other competing data options.

 

Blaze is a fixed internet service with limited mobility which can be accessed using wireless indoor or outdoor modem or any other devices that support a Blaze sim card.

 

This is a cheaper solution for connectivity in the home whenever access to fibre or ADSL service is not available in a local area.

 

Addressing the audience at the launch in Chitungwiza yesterday, Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Hon. Dr. Jenfan Muswere intimated that the launch was meant to close the gap between the people of Chitungwiza and ease of access to connectivity.

 

Government aims to deliver robust and reliable connectivity to all citizens towards the attainment of smart city status and to realize the coming to life of a digital economy.

 

“Government endeavours to bring connectivity to under served communities and leave no one behind . To accomplish this target, the Ministry accompanied by Telecoms companies have been to schools and communities countrywide setting up labs.

We are positive that the drive will aid in the attainment of an Upper Middle-Income Economy by 2030,” said Hon. Dr. Muswere.

 

He also said that the commissioning of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless solution in Chitungwiza today compliments government’s overall digital transformation drive and through the shared 10 base stations, TelOne will provide 100 percent coverage and faster network to more than 16 000 households in Chitungwiza.

 

“Certainly, the connection of business with fast and reliable internet is a crucial component as we implement National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

The expansion of TelOne’s Network speaks directly to NDS1 which requires that we set up an all encompassing Digital Economy,” said Hon. Dr. Muswere.

 

In a recent survey made by Small and Medium Enterprises pressure group Chamber of SMEs, they found out that 98 percent of the economically active population in Zimbabwe are informally employed, while 70 percent of them use WhatsApp in their daily dealings, placing orders and taking them from clients as well as advertising.

 

56 percent of them utilise Marketplaces on Facebook and Twitter for high end goods and services.

And at least 20 percent have developed applications that they use to connect with their clientele.

 

The most used channel of exchange has been Ecocash but because of the recent changes in exchange rates trades are looking towards transacting in USD$.

Enter PayNow and Visa, high end services which can only be utilised with reliable connectivity.