Minister Mavetera shares insights at Mobile World Congress 2024
THE Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Tatenda Mavetera, has highlighted the Government’s commitment to exploring new ways of enhancing the country’s mobile network and reduce the cost of data.
In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress 2024 (MWC24) here yesterday, Dr Mavetera emphasised the importance of developing policies that are relevant to Zimbabwe’s specific needs.
She stated that the Government was aiming to assess and compare different options to determine their affordability and suitability for the country.
The Minister expressed her desire to provide policy directions to companies, ensuring that they prioritise options that can help reduce the cost of data, which, she acknowledged, has been a major concern for all Zimbabweans.
“I want to assure Zimbabweans that His Excellency Dr President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed the ministry to address the issue of data costs urgently. We need to examine the entire mobile network ecosystem and identify the factors contributing to high costs. The goal is to find a lasting solution that ensures an efficient, reliable, and affordable mobile network for the people of Zimbabwe”.
Dr Mavetera, who toured the Huawei Exhibition Hall, the largest at the congress, acknowledged Huawei’s significant role in improving Zimbabwe’s telecommunications infrastructure. She commended the company for its technology and larger facilities, which have helped expand the country’s capacity.
Huawei’s system also supports the transmission and network functions, working as an extension to Zimbabwe’s existing infrastructure.
The Minister expressed interest in exploring opportunities for Zimbabwean companies to access Huawei’s resources at reasonable prices through bulk purchasing, which could potentially result in discounts.
However, she clarified that the Government does not intend to engage in business ventures, but rather aims to facilitate collaboration among local companies to negotiate favourable terms collectively.
In addition, Dr Mavetera discussed Huawei’s facility in rural areas. While acknowledging some limitations that need upgrading to align with Zimbabwe’s shared infrastructure policy, she praised Huawei’s commitment to customising the facility to suit the country’s requirements.
This approach ensures that Zimbabwe does not operate in isolation but rather collaborates with Huawei to bring about positive outcomes. The Minister emphasised that Zimbabwe will continue to maintain its shared infrastructure policy.
Dr Mavetera expressed excitement about Huawei’s Generative AI data centre and emphasised the importance of developing software, including AI and quantum computing, to stay at the forefront of technology. She emphasised the need for reliable storage facilities and highlighted the Government’s efforts to establish a Government cloud and digitise all Government departments.
“These initiatives aim to enhance service delivery and improve efficiency,” she said.
Dr Mavetera stressed efforts to ensure that Zimbabwean companies remain competitive in the rapidly evolving information communication technology sector. She expressed confidence that significant progress will be made before the end of the year.
On the Mobile World Congress which ends tomorrow, Dr Mavetera expressed her excitement at attending the event and highlighted the importance of adopting new technologies to achieve Zimbabwe’s digital transformation goals by 2030.
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