300 telecom towers installed across Zambia

GOVERNMENT has completed the installation of 300 telecommunication towers across Zambia and they are now ready for use.

Communication and Transport Ministry permanent secretary Misheck Lungu said the towers had been constructed in various parts of the country including Katete, Lundazi and Kasama. Mr Lungu said the project was part of efforts to increase Information and Communication Technology (ICT) access countrywide. He said the value of ICT was key to increased productivity, efficient operations and improved information access and dissemination. Mr Lungu was speaking in Lusaka when he graced MTN customer breakfast dubbed ‘2018, the year of the customer’. “Zambia, indeed, has so much potential as an agriculture and transport hub but even more importantly, we can harness our location and partnership to establish our country as an ICT hub,” he said. Mr Lungu called for a change in a way the country perceived the role of innovation, science, and ICT in national development. “Promoting innovation as a key resource for future socio-economic growth should be a key priority across our partnerships. “There is an urgent need therefore, to implement our Government’s agenda and vision to promote innovation and a knowledge-based economy for the country,” he said. Zambia, he said, was committed to providing a conducive environment for investment and accelerate job creation for the youth in traditional as well as emerging sectors of the country’s economy including ICT sector. Earlier, MTN Zambia Communications Manager Lisa Mulozi said MTN would continue to innovate its services and products to keep abreast with trends in the society as well as meet expectations of customers. At the same function, MTN Zambia Chief Executive Officer Charles Molapisi said his firm would also establish over 300 telecommunication sites across Zambia to increase access to affordable data, financial inclusion and to improve 4G coverage countrywide.