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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S fixed telephone operator, TelOne, has connected more than 160 sites with public Wi-Fi as the firm seeks to consolidate its share on the market. The fixed telephone operator is strengthening its position at a time when voice call earnings from mobile network operators continue to fall following a slash in tariffs early this year and the growing use of internet-based platforms.

According to the latest industry report released by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, mobile network operators realised a total of $188,5 million during the first quarter compared to $219,7 million in the last quarter of 2014.

“TelOne became a game changer in the area of Wi-Fi broadband services with the introduction of the public Wi-Fi during the first quarter of 2015.

“This service has brought connectivity to previously unserved low income areas including informal trading hubs and mass traffic areas.

“Users in more than 160 connected sites can now enjoy the service much less with more sites being connected monthly,” said the fixed telecommunications firm in a business update for the period ending June 30, 2015.

It said its backbone infrastructure anchored on the undersea connectivity was also poised to bring efficiency and affordability to Zimbabwe.

“The company has over the years made massive investments in the backbone infrastructure in an endeavour to provide the national broadband requirements. TelOne has more than 150 exchanges located in various centres across the country and most of the exchanges are connected by reliable and high capacity backbone links,” said TelOne.

The backbone infrastructure is dimensioned to provide an array of services to meet the market expectations under three brands namely, broadband, satellite and voice.

Efforts were also being made in research and development to provide value added services in response to Information Communication Technology market trends.

“In line with the move towards convergence, TelOne is pursuing a network infrastructure modernisation project. This project will be implemented within the next six to 12 months with fund raising efforts currently underway.”

Meanwhile, TelOne has moved to operating profitability since 2013.

For the period ended June 30, 2015, the firm recorded an operating profit of $1,6 million despite its revenue declining to $69,1 million.

During the comparable period last year, TelOne revenue stood at $76,1 million.