Connecting nation gets momentum
GOVERNMENT is making strides in ensuring that there is network and connectivity throughout the country, Transport and Communications Minister Brain Mushimba has said.
Mr Mushimba observed that communication played a critical role in development.
He told the Daily Nation in an interview in Mansa that Government was putting in place measures to improve the country’s communication sector.
"As Government, we believe for development to take place, communication has to be available. We cannot have people having to climb a tree to find a network.
"We need to make sure that signals are everywhere and Government is seriously looking into that and making efforts in making sure we have connectivity," he said.
And Mr Mushimba has disclosed that Government had received overwhelming response from investors who want to invest in a fourth mobile-network and take on the three mobile operators (Airtel, MTN and Zamtel).
He said the telecommunications regulator had since made progress to start the process.
"A lot of people have shown interest in investing in the fourth mobile network, we've had investors as far as the UK wanting to invest and pro- gress has been made to start up the process," Mr Mushimba said.
The minister also revealed that Government had embarked on setting up towers and replacing old towers with news ones through out the country.
e said the new towers would increase the network and connectivity with over 92%.
"In the next five years, we will have network connectivity though out the country. We cannot access certain services because of connectivity, so that will be a thing of the past," Mr Mushimba said.