Staff Reporter
President Mnangagwa commissioned the second phase of the 1500km fibre optic backbone network spearheaded by Bandwidth and Cloud Services (BCS) Group Limited in Africa at Somabhula Secondary School near Gweru, in a development which has been welcomed by citizens.
This comes in the backdrop of the launch of the three Information Communication Technology (ICT) policies that include the reviewed National ICT Policy , the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan and the National Broadband Plan for broad connectivity in all communities.
In an interview with this publication, Somabhula Secondary School teacher, Tanyaradzwa Kamupote, appreciated the ICT policies saying that rural areas would now have the opportunity to be connected to the internet and students won’t be left behind.
“The launch of the ICT policies is an opportunity for rural areas to be connected to the internet just like in Harare or Gweru. The students here in the rural areas won’t be left behind in using the internet,” said Kamupote.
In addition, Milton Hamandishe, a Technocrat, lauded the ICT policies saying that they would close the rural-urban digital gap.
“Here in the rural areas, internet connectivity is a problem, therefore the ICT policies launched will close the gap with urban areas, as universal access will be possible and high speed internet connectivity,” said Hamandishe.
Furthermore, a form 4 learner, Tinashe Gotame, was happy that internet is being improved in schools in rural areas saying that it is going to benefit the students in their studies.
“For us students, it is a good move to have improved internet access, especially here in rural areas, where there are limited opportunities, the ICT policies, as I have understood them, will help us students access the internet which help in our studies and be able to attain better grades.”
Each policy will add value to the growth of ICT in Zimbabwe, while envisioning reliable broadband networks in all communities by 2030. The adoption of the 4th Industrial Revolution must be harnessed to leapfrog development towards upper-middle income economy status by 2030.
More than US$18 million was invested in the first phase of the Fibre Optic Backbone Network Project, which started in Beitbridge along the railway line past Rutenga, Somabhula, Bulawayo and Hwange to Victoria Falls.
The 1 500km fibre optic project will not only help with local connectivity and access to internet services but also provide the National Railways of Zimbabwe with an enabler for effective signals.
