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Information and Communication Technology, Courier and Postal Services Minister Webster Shamu addressing the Southern African Telecommunications Association conference last week

Zimbabwe`s state owned  fixed operator, TelOne, successfully hosted the three-day 10th Southern Africa Regional Backhaul and submarine networks, which ended in Harare recently. The meeting was facilitated by regional block of Southern African Telecommunications Association which attracted delegates from 14 countries.

The regional meeting was a high level event that attracts prominent speakers and top representatives from the telecom/ICTs market to share their knowledge and experiences on Backhaul and Submarine Networks.

The purpose of the SATA meetings was to discuss SADC regional plans, review progress and implementation of interconnectivity between member states and connectivity of the member states to the rest of the world via submarine optical fibre cables.

Officially opening the event, Information and Communication Technology, Courier and Postal Services Minister Webster Shamu said the meeting was held at the right time as the nation was currently spearheading the development of the economy using ICTs.

“This conference is being held at a time when Zimbabwe has gone into overdrive in its efforts to implement its economic blue print, the Zim-Asset.  The government of Zimbabwe identified the ICT sector as one of the major pillars on which the Zim-Asset strategy is anchored”, said Shamu.

The minister called for other players to join hands and bridge the gap between rural and urban dwellers in terms of internet connectivity as they seek to bridge the technological divide affecting most African countries, Zimbabwe included.

He emphasized the need to invest in infrastructure for the development of  ICTs for all  member states.

“Failure to develop telecommunications infrastructure will only increase the development gap between our countries and the developed world,” he added.

The Regional Telecommunications/ICT Backhaul and Submarine Networks Meeting was attended by operators, service providers, submarine cable companies, satellite operators, regulators and policy makers amongst others  from Southern Region member states.

The Submarine Networks’ three sessions focused on opportunities for growth in the submarine networks industry, best business practices, technologies in connectivity, cable protection and optimization, bandwidth demand drivers, updates on new cable projects globally and offshore communications.

Facilitating the discussion, SATA Secretary General said, “One of the challenges facing the industry is price erosion and customer demand for low cost, high bandwidth service and availability.”

Standardising prices for all fixed and mobile network operators has become a sticking issue in Zimbabwe as many concerned stakeholders have raised concern over high tariffs.

The national telecommunication regulator, Potraz had earlier hinted that it is finalising the new charging system that will be introduced soon.

However, Potraz will not be in any hurry to quickly implement the statutes as deliberations with stakeholders are still continuing.

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