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Crippling connectivity challenges derail digital economy

24 Mar, 2023 - 00:03 0 Views
Crippling connectivity challenges derail digital economy

eBusiness Weekly

Business Writer

Zimbabwe is experiencing crippling mobile network and broadband connectivity challenges and this could derail the digital economy, experts have said.

While the ongoing power cuts have worsened things, the situation could not have been any better as operators have not been able to invest, maintain or upgrade their networks in years.

Players in the sector highlighted two key issues — limited access to foreign currency over the years and lower tariffs amid inflation and currency depreciation.

Most of the technology and equipment needed in this sector is imported and without foreign currency and lower tariffs, network providers have not been able to adequately import.

The result is poor network quality.

As tariffs have come down traffic has increased significantly putting further strain on the availability network, an executive with a mobile network operator said off record.

The Government needs to be more serious about a clear strategy for the digital economy, he said.

He said National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) does not have a clear roadmap for the country’s digital economy.

This will be achieved through the promotion of private investment in ICTs, provision of incentives and implementation of investor-friendly policies in the ICT
sector.

This is in an era the world is witnessing the evolution of generative AI and ChatGPT 4.0 and the risks with cyber security.

The telecoms industry is characterised by constant change and evolution and to keep pace telcos should always improve their services by continuous network upgrade. The bottom line for every telecom operation is improved services.

Subscribers desire better call completion ratio, lower call drop rates and call congestion as well as faster and more reliable upload and download of data. But every operator trying to achieve these must invest in new technology to give it an edge in the market.

To be where they are now, where they have made life more comfortable and kept people more connected is not a coincidence, that’s a result of many years of investment and technological upgrades.

Telecom companies face the constant need to invest in new infrastructure while staying competitive on cellphone costs for customers.

Apart from expanding their footprint, telcos must always introduce newer and faster features to accommodate the increase in demand.

The Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe must always act to safeguard the evolution of Zimbabwe’s digital economy.

The Government should come up with policies that make sure that operators are not challenged to deliver on service, which is a critical element for Zimbabwe’s digital growth and financial inclusion.

Telcos have been at the heart of Zimbabwe’s digital revolution, and have disrupted the way banking is done in this country.

For the country to continue to disrupt different facets of the economy, it needs enablers such as the availability of foreign currency.

Companies must focus on core business and for telcos, focus should be on sharpening digitalisation, innovation and not be hindered by lack of foreign currency and sub-economic tariffs.

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