Powertel Communications, a subsidiary of State power utility Zesa Holdings, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding valued at $100 million for the modernization of its telecom network. The contract encompasses the implementation of a data transmission program in rural areas.
This collaboration aligns with Powertel's telecommunications network expansion program announced in August. The company is set to invest $570 million to enhance high-speed connectivity coverage nationwide, with a focus on fixed access, mobile access, 4G LTE, 5G, the national backbone network, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Through this initiative, Powertel aims to boost its efficiency and profits while also supporting the Zimbabwean government's digital transformation plans. As part of these efforts, the government aims to connect over 8,000 schools, 3,000 clinics, police camps, and army barracks across the country.
Willard Nyagwande, managing director of Powertel, stated, "We will leverage the infrastructure of the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) to connect marginalized schools and clinics, and improve smart agriculture, e-health, and e-education through these collaborations."
According to the latest statistics from the Zimbabwe Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ), the country has 14.05 million mobile phone subscribers, resulting in a penetration rate of 92.6%. The same source indicates a total of 9.9 million active subscriptions to internet services, with a penetration rate of 65.4%.