Mthabisi Tshuma, recently in Binga
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), working closely with service providers, has relocated over 40 base stations to areas that were previously underserved in accessing network services.
The programme, named the Tower Relocation Project (TRP), is being implemented by service providers NetOne, Econet, and Telecel.
The TRP initiative relocates base stations—commonly referred to as boosters—when more than one exists at a single site, moving them to areas in need of network connectivity.
Across the country, of the relocated base stations, 27 are now on air, nine have completed civil and construction works and are awaiting Radio Access Network (RAN) installation, while eight projects are still under construction.
Sites now on air:
Matabeleland South: Mapholisa (Mangwe) and Nswazi (Bulilima)
Matabeleland North: Sinamusanga (Binga)
Midlands: Mbuyanehanda (Mberengwa)
Mashonaland Central: Cranham (Mazowe), Chatumbama (Mt Darwin), Gunganyama (Rushinga), Mukumbura (Mt Darwin), Mukosa (Rushinga), Chitsungo (Guruve), Guruve Nyamuseve (Guruve), Nyamahobogo (Mt Darwin)
Masvingo: Svuure and Ngwana Range (Zaka), Gezani and Chikwarakwara (Chiredzi)
Manicaland: Nyakomba (Nyanga) and Mutanda Range (Odzi)
Other provinces: Trelawney (Zvimba, Mashonaland West), Karimbika (Pfungwe, Mashonaland East), Avilla/Fombe (Nyanga, Manicaland), Muchekawakasungabeta (Sanyati, Mashonaland West), Zvipani (Hurungwe, Mashonaland West), Fair Adventure (Hwedza, Mashonaland East), Msampakaruma (Kariba, Mashonaland West), Ginger Turnoff (Mudzi, Mashonaland East)
Sites where civil works are completed and awaiting RAN installation:
Maitengwe (Bulilima), Mlambaphele (Gwanda), Mphoengs (Mangwe) in Matabeleland South; Gunganyama (Rushinga) and Mukosa (Rushinga) in Mashonaland Central; Nyakomba (Nyanga, Manicaland).
Sites under construction:
Gwampa (Nkayi, Matabeleland North), Makonde Obva (Makonde, Mashonaland West), Musadzi (Gokwe, Midlands), Muzungurira (Shamva, Mashonaland Central), Chipfiko Dam (Mutoko, Mashonaland East), Makonde Muvhami (Makonde, Mashonaland West), Mola (Kariba, Mashonaland West), Gotekote (Nyanga, Manicaland).
Potraz director general, Dr Gift Machengete, said the authority is working flat out to ensure all corners of the country have access to network connectivity.
“The TRP programme has been moving on very well. What we needed before was about 350 towers to cover the whole country, but due to resource constraints, we could not achieve this.
“We also tried to get assistance from China and other countries, but it did not materialise. That’s when this concept of relocation was born, and we can see that this project is bearing fruit,” said Dr Machengete.
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