Zamtel optimisim inspiring

THE ambitious endeavor by Zambia’s own mobile network operator is making great headway in serving the people across the length and breadth of the country – focusing more on the service and not just profit alone.
It is gratifying to know that in spite of the challenges that have come in the wake of the Covid-19 global pandemic, Zamtel remains optimistic of the information and communication technology (ICT) landscape and have continued to invest in the expansion of their network.
In his speech at the opening of the Fifth Session of the Twelfth National Assembly under the theme: Dedication, resilience and innovation: Pursuing Economic Recovery for the Zambia We Want, President Edgar Lungu said mindset change was required.
“Our mindset should, therefore, be attuned to building a Zambia that is resilient to shocks; a Zambia that is open to new ideas and opportunities; a Zambia that is looking inwards for local solutions,” he said.
As if in response to this call, Zamtel Corporate Communications Manager, Changwe Kabwe has disclosed that the firm, as one of the industry players, had continued with its network roll out with the construction of 1,009 new communication towers across the country
Stating that they had every confidence that the ICT sector will continue to register positive growth owing to increased levels of investment.

Mr Kabwe was commenting on the recently released Zambia Information and Communication Authority (ZICTA) 2020 Mid-Year Market Report which has highlighted the ICT sector’s performance, growth prospects and constraints to growth.
“Growing appetite for broadband services among corporates and retail clients will continue to spur growth in data consumption in the short to medium term.
“With increased foot print, Zamtel is now set to be the largest mobile network operator offering network reliability across the country,” he said.
Mr Kabwe said the report showed that the total number of telecommunication towers in Zambia increased from 2,462 reported at the end of the first half of 2019 to 3,245 at the end of the first half of 2020.
This, he explained, spoke to the investments that Zamtel and other players had made in the sector.
“The Report shows that the total number of telecommunication sites that were operational in the country increased from 8,227 reported at the end of June, 2019 to 10,338 reported at the end of June, 2020 representing an increase of 25.7 percent.
“We can see that these figures speak to the investments that we have made as Zamtel in network roll out and upgrades,” he said.
Indeed, Zamtel has seen a good number of mobile network transmission sites launched in various rural sites that would otherwise not have received such infrastructure – with a count of 700 commissioned recently.
Government’s quest to leave no one behind in national development could not be achieved without the support of like-minded entities and Zamtel must be commended for putting people first.
It is further heartening to know that in the time of Covid-19, the Zamtel infrastructure has provided the much needed network connectivity to ensure that basic information and services are available to all whther in the urban or remote rural areas.
Zamtel has also partnered with the Ministry of General Education and Examinations Council of Zambia to provide an e-learning platform for school goers which allows young people to familiarize themselves with smart technology.
The mobile network firm deserves Zambians’ support in its quest to become the leading service provider