AudiencScapes

A lack of cooperation among major industry players is frustrating
investors and shortchanging citizens. Their reluctance to share
equipment like cell phone towers results in duplication of
infrastructure. Tawanda Karombo reports from Harare.

A significant ICT upgrade for a few of Zimbabwe’s municipal governments may improve their ability to communicate and deliver services. While the installation is part of a larger project, the cities and small towns stand to benefit from the investment in their infrastructure.By Tawanda KaromboZimbabwe, Harare -- A massive project launched by a German development organization is helping to bridge the technology divide in Zimbabwe’s local municipalities.

Sierra Leone just took a big step toward landing its first international undersea fiber optic cable. By Bai-Bai SesayOn July 20, Sierra Leone’s Parliament ratified two fiber optic agreements that will allow the country to move forward on landing the first international submarine fiber cable in Freetown. Sierra Leone is among a handful of countries in the region not connected to the global network of broadband optical fiber infrastructure. Civil unrest and fragility prevented the country from participating fully in SAT-3, the only existing submarine cable system serving West Africa. Connectivity between Sierra Leone and the outside world relies exclusively on expensive satellite, with limited availability of high-capacity bandwidth.

By Bai-Bai SesaySierra Leone is taking major steps to connect its citizens with the rest of the world. The government plans to liberalize the country's international gateway for voice calls and internet connections. The government also recently inked a deal with France to bring a fiber optic cable system to the country. The ultimate beneficiaries of these developments will be consumers. With more companies competing for their business, they should see lower costs in mobile phone and internet service and equipment. They may find it easier to connect with the outside world at cheaper rates, higher voice clarity and higher call success rates.The expansion of the gateway represents a major reversal in policy.