Strengthening Telecommunications Infrastructure for Economic Growth and Security - A Case for Zambia

Strengthening telecommunications infrastructure
for economic growth and security:
A case for Zambia
By:
Gertrude Mwangala Akapelwa –Ehueni
Board Chairperson
ZICTA
India Global ICT Forum: Innovations to
Drive Economies 6-8 May 2013, New Delhi
1

Presentation Outline
 Introduction to Zambia: Economic Statistics
 Zambia’s Strategic Geographical Position
 National Information and Communication Technology
policy
 ZICTA’s mandate
 Projects related to infrastructure development
 How do our people use the ICT Infrastructure
 Current GSM Site Map
 Optic Fibre Network
 Last Mile Connectivity for Learning Institutions Project
 Multi purpose centers
 Challenges of attaining UAS objectives
2

Introduction to Zambia: Economic
Statistics
Area: 752,618 Km2
Zambia
Population : 13,046,508
Pop. Density: 17 per km
GDP : US$15.69 Billion
Per Capita: US$ 1,203
Area: 752,618 Km2

• Zambia’ position makes it a
natural hub for investment
in the ICT sector.
• Its citizens has good
educational levels with
excellence in English
language which ranks the
country among the very best
on the African continent.
• Its relations with many
countries making it an
investment- friendly
destination.
• Therefore infrastructure is
the key to economic
growth.
Zambia’s Strategic Geographical Position

5
National Information and Communication Technology policy
 To ensure that ICT infrastructure and services are available to and
affordable for the greatest possible proportion of the population by
encouraging the deployment of ICT assets and infrastructure that will
enhance the provision of ICT services
 To promote cost-effective last-mile technologies for providing access to
commercial and public information services by communities, especially in
rural and underserved areas;
 To promote a stable, fair and competitive investment climate to
facilitate the development of E-Commerce activities in the economy;
 To facilitate the development of an effective, industry-responsive, timely
legal and regulatory system capable of supporting the development and
growth of the ICT sector;

ZICTA’s mandate
 The Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Act No.
15 of 2009 gives ZICTA, the mandate to determine a SYSTEM
that promotes widespread availability and usage of electronic
communication services and networks through out Zambia by
encouraging the installation of electronic communication
networks and provision of services in un-served or
underserved areas and communities.
 Under the same Act creation of Universal Access fund to
finance the installation of electronic communication
networks with a view of extending the provision of ICT
services to un-served or underserved areas and communities
through use of a UAS Fund.
6

ICT infrastructure
development Projects
In order strengthen telecoms infrastructure for economic
development as well as security in the country, ZICTA is
promoting the following:
 Establishment of GSM sites by Mobile operators
 ZICTA under Universal access installing GSM sites
in rural areas.
 Private Internet providers delivering broadband
through satellite
 Private companies installing fibre optic networks
 ZICTA implementing the last mile connectivity
 ZICTA installing multi purpose centers
7

How do our people use the
ICT Infrastructure
 People in the rural areas are placing ICTs at the same priority level as food
because it gives them security to call their family whenever in emergency
 Farmers are linked to the farmers union database to enquire on availability
of markets and prices for their produce before spending money on travel.
 Zambians in rural areas, due to rapid extension of mobile services are able
to do online banking transaction without leaving their village, making the
unbanked banked .
 Cross border trade has increased between Zambia and its neighbours
through increased mobile and internet access they are able to transact
online, and even look for markets for their goods and services.
 Health workers provide their cell numbers to their patients who can call
them in case of need
 Response rate to disaster under the disaster mitigation centre has
improved in the country
Therefore ICT infrastructure has become a government priority
8

Current GSM Site Map
Facts
 1,340 out 1,421 wards have at
least some GSM signal
coverage
 214 wards have less than
50% geographical coverage
 55% Geographical coverage
(country coverage)
 At least close to 90%
population coverage
 10.1 million subscribers (66%
mobile penetration)
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The Future for GSM
connectivity
broadband
10
The mobile operators continue to
expand the GSM networks in profitable
locations
ZICTA is financing the establishment of
GSM sites in rural areas (starting with
chiefdoms) using solar energy and satellite
broadband
Team stuck during survey for towers in WP

Delivering broadband
through satellite
11
Private INTERNET PROVIDERS
using satellite broadband

Infrastructure: Optic Fibre
Network Expansion
Expansion of the optic fibre
network in Zambia has been
phased into three parts. Phase 1
of the network was completed in
2007. Under phase I, Zambia
through its electricity utility
company, ZESCO managed to
build a network from Lumwana in
the north up to Kazangula border
in the South for connection via
Walvis Bay in Namibia.
12

Optic Fibre Network Expansion
Phase II, of ZESCO’s optic
fibre was completed in
December 2012 at the total
cost of USD 60 million and it
involved both expansion and
an upgrade of phase I. Under
Phase II Zambia managed to
expand to the northern and
eastern parts of Zambia as
well as extending the optic
fibre network from Kazangula
to Senanga and Mongu in the
Western Parts of the country.
13

In 2013, Zambia optic fibre
expansion plans include
establishing new undersea
connection points via
Botswana and Zimbabwe
using South Africa in the
south of Zambia. For the
northern and eastern parts of
Zambia, further connections
by ZESCO into Tanzania will
be done via Dares Salaam.
With regards to Malawi and
Mozambique, the optic fibre
under Phase III expansion
will be connected via Chipata
and Katete respectively.
14

In 2012, CEC Liquid
Telecoms managed to lay
610 km of underground
fibre cable between
Chirundu to Kasumbalesa
as part of its national
backbone infrastructure.
Further, 540 km of optical
ground wire (OPGW)
Copperbelt fibre ring was
laid to improve data
transmission capacity on
the Copperbelt Province.
In terms of the
metropolitan area, a local
fibre access ring 175 km
long was laid to cater for
Lusaka area.
15

ConnectinG Learning
Institutions
Project is aimed at transforming the education system through
adopting the usage of ICTs and equipping the upcoming
generation with skills relevant in the current information age.
Facts:
 There are about 8,200 schools countrywide
 Only 2,500 schools have electricity (i.e. main grid/solar/gen
set)
 Only about 2,000 public schools have at least one computer
 Internet connectivity is almost non-existent in public schools
 Min. of Education has not adopted ICT as a subject in
curriculum
16

Connecting Learning
Institutions
Project deliverables per institution include:
 40 user lab (colleges), 20 user lab (schools)
 1 printer
 2 desktop computers (for admin use)
 MS Office applications
 Internet connectivity and subscription for first 12 months
 Training of at least 3 teachers in ICT skills
Project Implementation:
 Phase 1 (current) – target is 47 colleges and 150 schools countrywide
 Phase 2 (2013) – target is 200 schools
 Ultimate goal is to reach all schools/colleges that meet criteria for “ICT
readiness”
17

Connecting Learning
Institutions
Financing the Last Mile connection for Public
Universities:
 ZICTA has financed the last Mile connection to the three
Public Universities in the Capital - Lusaka, on the
Copperbelt and in the region of the country
Contributing to the Review of the Education
Curriculum:
 ZICTA has been incorporated into a committee that is
reviewing the Ministry of Education curriculum to include
ICTs as a subject
18

• ZICTA in conjunction with Rural Based
Societies and Cooperatives embarked on the
establishment of Multi – purpose Community
Telecenters (MCT) aimed at ensuring rural
communities have access to basic telecoms/
ICT services e.g internet, fax and public
phones
• Though funding of these projects was done
by ZICTA, management is done by the locals
of the respective communities. E.g Women
organisations
• A total of fifteen (15) have been established
in rural communities including one at the
National Assembly Buildings.
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Multi – Purpose
Telecentres

Challenges of attaining
UAS objectives
 Weak support infrastructure such as roads, electricity,
broadband backbone.
 High cost of ICT equipment and applications. No local
manufactures.
 Insufficient funds to accomplish desired targets in
reasonable duration
 Low ICT skills in market.
 High cost of Internet bandwidth.
20

Thank You
21

Strengthening Telecommunications Infrastructure for Economic Growth and Security - A Case for Zambia

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