Industry reports have revealed that Zambia’s government intends to achieve 100 per cent national network coverage by the end of 2024.
To achieve this, Science and Technology Minister Felix Mutati said the government is working closely with MTN Zambia, Airtel Networks Zambia and state-owned Zamtel.
Mutati added that the government will leverage over US$41 million generated from the recent auctioning of spectrum by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA).
Earlier this year, ZICTA confirmed it had raised over US$41.55-million in the spectrum auction, with Airtel Networks Zambia emerging as the biggest spender after offering US$29 million on 60 MHz of additional spectrum spread across the 800 MHz and 2600 MHz bands.
If you recall, in January 2021, Airtel Zambia was also awarded spectrum on the 800 MHz frequency band by ZICTA.
The regulator also awarded MTN Zambia an additional spectrum at US$13.5 million.
ZICTA mentioned it wants to reinvest resources in rural areas in line with the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Key to this is the construction of additional telecommunication towers in underserved regions, the regulator notes.
The government looks to erect an additional 106 towers to complement the existing one thousand.
Mutati said, “Using universal access fund and the money raised from the sale of spectrum, the government is working towards expanding mobile network connectivity by erecting more towers, particularly in the rural areas.”
MTN CEO Bart Hofker said, “By the end of this year, the company will complete the installation of 45 telecom towers and plans to install another 100 towers next year to expand coverage.”
