Zimbabwean mobile telecoms operator Netone is on a drive to increase its subscriber base by upgrading and expanding its network.
This is according to Reward Kangai, MD of Netone. "We aim to increase our subscriber base from 300 000 to one million subscribers by the end of this month."
The company plans to do this via several roll-outs and upgrade projects around the country, he says. Netone has already introduced an intelligent network platform (INP), which is expected to increase numbers by at least 500 000.
Kangai says an INP gives mobile operators an open platform, which will allow subscribers to receive and send information to a multitude of different platforms.
He notes that around 110 base stations are being erected around the country, adding to the 2 000 base stations already in existence. Kangai explains that base stations are being built with mobile switching centres, which will help increase subscribers by around 300 000.
"The majority will be built in the Matabeleland province, which is situated in the western part of the country."
Kangai says the city of Bulawayo, which is Zimbabwe's second capital, situated in Matabeleland, is also receiving a base station and a mobile switching centre, catering for around 700 000 people. "In the meantime, Harare's base station will also be upgraded."
Mobile switching centres help mobile telecommunication networks to relay and interconnect with location databases, he says, which will help ease network congestion.
Chinese telecommunication equipment manufacturer, Huawei Technology Company, will supply most of the technology.
The network is being expanded in phases, he says, with the first phase costing $9 million, Kangai says.
"We are funding ourselves, mainly through the foreign currency raised through international roaming fees. The rest will come through various partners and investors outside the country.
"It is a challenge rolling out such a large expansion programme under the current economic crisis in the country, but we are trying by all means to maintain the standard of telecommunications," he says.
Netone is the second largest mobile operator in Zimbabwe after Econet.
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