Zimbabwe-based internet service provider ZOL, which is owned by Africa’s leading telecommunication network provider Liquid Telecom aims to connect more than 100,000 houses to its fiber optic network by 2017. ZOL expects increasing demand in the coming years for high-speed broadband services, which is possible through fiber optic networks. The service provider’s Chief Executive Officer, Denny Marandure says the group wants to introduce cheap and affordable broadband service packages to its subscribers in Zambia. The project execution, however, depends on the cost of setting up the required fiber infrastructure and delays of licensing approvals by local authorities and the sector regulator.
ZOL has a coverage of more than 15,000 homes in Harare with its fiber optic networks. ZOL estimates that the higher demand in the future will help them to deliver cheaper internet by massive deployment. Lower demand, of course, will contribute to higher cost since the network infrastructure building cost difference for fewer subscribers and a higher number of subscribers would almost be negligible. Higher penetration of internet services in Zimbabwe will help reduce the cost of internet in the country.
ZOL has launched new packages for Zimbabwe customers that include the Fibroniks Lite package costing US$ 29 per month with 15 Mbps, free ZOL to ZOL calls and other benefits. Basic Essentials package is available for US$ 39 per month. All packages have a number of benefits including cordless ZOL phone handset offering customers the best low-cost phone service nationwide.
The packages are available to users in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls within areas where fiber optic cables are already installed. Fiber has become the fastest of connections for internet accounts, with 0.21 percent of subscriptions in Zimbabwe with mobile internet making up 95.6 percent of total internet subscriptions
Liquid Telecom is the leading independent data, voice and IP provider in eastern, central and southern African countries. Liquid supplies fiber optic, satellite and international carrier services to Africa’s largest mobile network operators, ISPs and businesses of all sizes. It also provides payment solutions to financial institutions and retailers, as well as award-winning data storage and communication solutions to businesses across Africa and beyond.
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