HARARE Information technology is set to receive a major boost from the construction of an underground broadband link from Harare to Beira. The link will connect to international undersea cables. Chief of operations at Africom, Nhena Nyagura, said that on completion, the project would reduce costs and increase bandwidth. Three companies are involved – Africom has a 50% stake, the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe with 30% and National Social Security Authority with 20%.
The number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) has grown in the last few years from less than six in 2003 to over 30.
A survey carried out by the Business Mirror showed that Harare alone boasts over 60 thriving internet cafs, up from less than 30 some two years ago.
According to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, Zimbabwe is one of the top 11 African countries with more than 35 000 dial-up internet subscribers.
There are over four million internet subscribers in Africa, with over 60 percent found in Zimbabwe and South Africa alone. North Africa accounts for more than 250 000.
Post published in: Manufacturing