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Reward Kangai

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls—
STATE-OWNED mobile phone operator, NetOne, is gunning for $200 million revenue generation this year. The firm has roped in an investor as it moves to launch 4G technology to expand its business in a highly competitive telecommunications industry. The move could steer the pioneer mobile phone operator, which has been overtaken by Econet Wireless in terms of market presence and continues to battle for second position with Telecel.

NetOne managing director, Reward Kangai yesterday said the parastatal was engaged in a major drive to transform the country’s information communication technology (ICT) landscape.

The telecoms firm expects a 51 percent increase in subscribers by the close of 2015.

“We’re looking at a revenue figure of $200 million by year-end. Obviously it’s a high figure but with our best efforts I’m sure we can reach that target. As at the end of the last quarter we had 3.3 million subscribers. By year end we’re targeting around five million in subscribers,” he said.

Kangai said NetOne’s acquisition spectrum previously utilised by television broadcasting had given them an advantage over their competitors in terms of expanding their broadband services.

“We also have this new spectrum, the 700 megahertz (MHz), which was vacated by television broadcasting. We’ve acquired that spectrum to be used for 4G LTE and because it’s 700MHz its propagation distance is two to three times the current 1,8 gigahertz (GHz) so with our existing base stations we’re going to double our coverage. We’ve set ourselves to provide unparalleled and high quality communication services,” he said.

Addressing more than 500 delegates from 45 countries who are attending the 2015 Innovation Africa Digital Summit here, Kangai said a vibrant ICT industry was a catalyst for accelerated success of the national economic blueprint, Zim-Asset as it can positively impact on every sector of the economy.

“ICTs are a catalyst for acceleration of Zim-Asset as they can positively impact all aspects of the economy and society in terms of transport, agriculture, tourism, health and others. NetOne as the first cellular network operator in the country, is a major driving force in ensuing the country moves with times in the ICT world,” said Kangai.

“We’re working with some partners to introduce 4G internet service soon with a view of providing the fastest coverage on the land.

“Many thought it was an experience meant to falter but as we speak NetOne boasts of 3.3 million subscribers across the whole country. It provides 2G and 3G services on the network ensuring fast internet connectivity and soon we will be introducing 4G.”

Kangai said NetOne surpassed troubled Telecel last year to become the second largest mobile network operator. Telecel’s subscriber base hovers around 2.5 million while Econet dominates the show with about nine million subscribers.

“NetOne provides the widest network coverage in Zimbabwe with a vision to be the home of seamless communications solutions for everyone, anywhere at any time by 2020. This vision also includes the so called Internet of Things (IOT), which will transform people’s lives positively as the mobile phone moves towards providing virtually everything hence our slogan ‘The world in one’,” he added.

Kangai said the mobile phone operator has stood the test of time despite the difficult economy brought about by the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West.

The three-day summit opened yesterday and ends tomorrow and is being held under the theme “Affordable access”.

A number of internet service providers are presenting papers as African countries share ICT technological know how with advanced nations in the sector such as China.