The Sunday News
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
ZESA Holding’s telecommunications subsidiary, Powertel, has reiterated the utility’s dedication to bridging the digital divide in rural communities, by enabling communities to join the global economy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday last week, as part of Powertel’s 25th anniversary commemorations, Zesa Holdings executive chairperson, Dr Sydney Gata said they had since embarked on the “datafication” initiative, aimed at improving connectivity in rural communities.
The project, inspired by rural electrification efforts, aims to bring both electricity and fibre connectivity to under-served areas.
Dr Gata said while celebrating the entity’s 25 years, it will be a year to focus on development and service delivery, with rural datafication being one of the top priorities.
“Powertel is rolling out infrastructure to rural and marginalised communities, thereby connecting the unconnected. This is building on its mandate of providing Information Communication Technologies to the entire electricity value chain, key economic drivers and the nation at large.
“The company further invested in upgrading technologies that enhances efficiency in electricity purchase while focusing on deploying technologies to rural communities, a programme called Rural Datafication. The Rural Datafication project is modelled along the lines of rural electrification and will involve dual deployment of electricity and fibre to the unconnected areas. It will also follow the communities electrified and being electrified under the rural electrification programme,” he said.
Dr Gata said the project is in line with Government’s objectives of uplifting the livelihoods of rural communities towards the attainment of an upper middle income by 2030.
“Rural Datafication project aims at bringing connectivity to transform rural communities and enable them to be participants in the Global economy. The deployed ICT infrastructure plays a dual purpose; monitoring and control of the electricity infrastructure and more importantly for the rural communities, providing accessible and affordable ICT services, thereby contributing immensely to the development of a digital economy.
“Powertel by utilising the existing electricity infrastructure through hanging OPGW cables, which carry internet overhead, the company will be aiding towards the digitalisation of the whole country,” he said.
The Zesa executive chairperson said the benefits cut across all economic activities, which include Government, mission, council and private schools, clinics and hospitals, farming communities, Government agencies and departments, individual homesteads, non-governmental organizations, private sector players like banks and mines.
Meanwhile, Powertel Marketing and Corporate Business Manager, Mr Prosper Mutswiri has expressed gratitude to their pioneer customers and re-affirmed the company’s commitment towards unlocking the digital future.
“We would like to express our utmost appreciation to all our valued customers across all sectors. Our special mention goes to our pioneer customers who believed in this vision. The initial connection established was National Control Centre (NCC) at Zesa Head Office to Zimbabwe Power Company,” said Mr Mutswiri.
“From our point of view, continued feedback is what powers great service. As we walk together this journey of unlocking the digital future, we would like to take this opportunity to assure you of our commitment to exceptional service, engage and receive feedback in terms of how you view our service and how we can make it better.”
