Zamtel erects 651 towers

ABOUT 651 communication towers have been erected across Zambia, Zamtel public relations officer, Changwe Kabwe, has said.

Mr Kabwe said 651 sites had been erected as of October 29, 2019 out of which 573 were operational.

The scope of the works in phase II of the communication towers project covers the construction and installation of 1,009 sites across the country.

It also involves upgrading the current transmission and radio access network and other Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities under Zamtel at a cost of US$280 million.

Mr Kabwe said this in a response to press query.

“Zamtel remains confident that it will complete the project as per plan.

We are grateful to the Government through the Ministry of Transport and Communications for the tremendous support rendered to this project,” he said.

Mr Kabwe said the project was expected to be completed by first quarter of next year.

The project, he said, would make Zamtel hold a comparative advantage over its competitors in the mobile sector.

He explained that from the sites that had been switched on already, stating that the social and economic transformation that mobile phone technology has brought to these areas.

Mr Kabwe said Zamtel was confident that once fully implemented, the project would change the lives of Zambians especially those in the rural areas.

Mr Magrath said as Zoona, the company had shifted its strategy to helping businesses have better access and reach.

“We are focused on making more partner products available at a Zoona booth; we’re in partnership with Mukuru to provide international money transfers and for Atlas Mara, Tenga and MTN we are providing deposits and withdrawals. We are dedicated to increasing partner product access nationwide via our agent network,” he said.

Mr Magrath said the company would launch a new financial technology (Fintech) spinoff Tilt which was also focused on serving business customers.

“Under Tilt we have developed a new bulk payment platform, where customers, employees or beneficiaries can access cash at any Zoona, Kazang or Afrivance agents nationwide.

Mr Magrath said his management was looking forward to connecting with many more partners in order to help solve customer problems within the market.

“We believe interoperability, and increased cash and digital payment options is the future, and together we can change the way Africa transacts,” he said.