Chinese communications equipment giant Huawei Technologies has launched the first of a series of 169 base stations that will connect rural communities in Zambia to the mobile phone network.The development will bring the latest mobile voice and data technology to thousands of people in remote locations across the country, enabling them to keep in touch with family and friends, find out what is happening elsewhere in the nation, and become integrated into the global community.
The first tower was officially launched yesterday (April 17, 2014) by Vice President Dr Guy Scott at Matanda in Luapula Province, accompanied by the Minister of Transport Works Supply and Communications Hon. Yamfwa Mukanga, the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia H.E. Zhou Yuxiao and Huawei Technologies Zambia Managing Director Spawn Fan Wen, along with the board Chairperson of Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) Emmanuel Musonda,
ZICTA Director General Margaret Mudenda, traditional leaders and more than 500 people from the surrounding area.
The coming of the communication towers will provide business opportunities for people in rural areas, said Dr Scott, who urged women and youths in particular to seize those opportunities to engage in business.
Huawei is constructing communications towers as part of ZICTA’s project to build 169 towers in all ten provinces: 21 in Central Province; 11 in the Copperbelt; 23 in Eastern Province; 19 in Luapula; two in Lusaka; 12 in Muchina; 19 in Northern Province; 26 in North-Western Province, 21 in Southern and 15 in Western Province.
The towers, of which some 57 will be serviced by Zamtel, 56 by MTN and 56 by Airtel, are expected to be completed before the end of October this year.
“Through our dedicated effort and commitment to the Zambian market, we endeavor to work with local partners towards improved network quality, affordable rates and more value-added services for the benefit of the people of Zambia,” Mr Spawn told dignitaries.
“Job creation is a key part of this strategy, and that employment will come in a number of ways. Firstly, Huawei will be employing more people to help in construction of the towers. Secondly, the economic and social benefit generated by the connection of these remote areas will generate business opportunities, stimulate trade and open up whole new markets for labour and produce,” he added.
Since the liberalisation of the telecommunication sector in 1994, Zambia has witnessed significant growth in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Growth has been recorded in the number of mobile telephone subscribers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Internet users, broadcasting stations, postal/courier operators and telecommunications networks.
Despite the liberalisation of the sector, access to ICT services is confined to residents in urban areas, leaving out the rural areas that are home to 65 percent of the country’s population.
The Universal Access Project aims to address this gap in connectivity by promoting access, affordability and availability to ICT facilities and services to all Zambians
Thats my company. Most of Africa depend on this company. Big and unchallenged
maybe we’ll have good quality internet
And be able to see Zambian Watchdog expose all PF incompetence, corruption and lies!
Poor journalism once again…. who is funding this project? The UN Foundation have a similar project called Universal Access Project which works to achieve universal access to reproductive health care – Millennium Development Goal 5 – which leads to healthier women, stronger families, and more stable…etc.
When are our journalists going to take pride in there work and stop this copy and paste journalism??
great ,are these sites going to be given for free for mtn ,zamtel and airtel.and whats the guarantee that they will be good reception when the sites will be run by same companies failing us.
you are the most sensible blogger. The question(s) you have posed are very important. Thats what first came into my mind too.
This is good so that the people in rural Zambia can have access to the most read Zambian Watchdog!!!!! HHelp 2016
And the Almighty GOD made the Chinese! Where would the poor Zambian be without these hard working and fearless little people.
Happy Easter!
Peace be upon all Zambians wherever you are
The working GRZ is buzy whilst the bush if usefull id io ts are standing over the fence begin for insaka
and they think busy pf has time for such nonsense.
The working GRZ is buzy whilst the bunch of useful id io ts are standing over the fence begging for insaka
Headline and article are totally misleading.
ZICTA plans and funds this project 100%.
Huawei is just an equipment supplier and installer. Get your facts right, Lazy LT journos.
The impression LT gives is Huawei is doing Zambia a favour and won’t be paid a cent. The project initiator (ZICTA) is kept out of the photo. Gutter journalism if you ask anybody.
SO WHERE IS THE IMAGE? NEWS REPORTING IN ZAMBIA LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED. EVEN SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD THINGS, THE CHAPS JUST DON’T KNOW. WE CAN’T JUST BE READING TEXT IN THESE DAY AND AGE BAMBULI IMWE.
Owe! Chapwa nomba. No Zambian company will win any contract. That Chinese huei group always outbids everyone. It was kicked out in us and eu because it listens in all communications that other bidders make and then underbids them. Mark my words, we have just chinaaaaiised Zambia nomba. No Zambian company will win contracts.