Sources at both Transmedia and ZBC told The Zimbabwean *** this week that the telephone links were cut last week after Transmedia failed to pay TelOne telephone bills for links that are used to feed signals. Transmedia is one of the controversial companies formed by former Minister of Information Jonathan Moyo following the unbundling of ZBC in 2002. Transmedia has not paid TelOne since February last year, when dollarisation came into effect. Like any other company Transmedia has also been affected by TelOnes exorbitant telephone bills, said a source at Transmedia in Bulawayo.
Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Gweru and Gwanda were plunged into total television blackout when ZTV lost its signal after TelOnes cut off on Monday this week. Transmedia Chief Executive, Florence Mathambo, said following the decommissioning of the telephone links by TelOne Transmedia was planning to connect the affected areas to the DStv bouquet that is relaying signals to some parts of the country. TelOne links that we use to feed signals through are down and we need to find another alternative of connecting the affected areas in the country to a satellite at pockets Hill in Harare, she said.
Most towns get their signals fed through TelOne links. Telephone lines for most households and companies have been cut for failure to pay telephone bills, which have been described as exorbitant and unjustified by the public. Sources at ZBC in Bulawayo said that the microwave link which enables live TV transmissions from Montrose studios have also been cut off due to non payment of bills. Head office has already assured us that they will settle the microwave telephone bills before the 21st Movement celebrations which will be broadcasted live from Bulawayo. Heads will definitely roll if the microwave facility is not ready by the time of the celebrations, said the source.
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