The commissioning of National Backbone Optic Fibre Link connecting Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo and Beitbridge will necessitate data charges to drop by 40%, Information Communication and Technology minister Kazembe Kazembe has said.
Kazembe was addressing delegates who gathered for the commissioning of Telone Backbone Fibre Optic Links by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Beitbridge yesterday.
“The commissioning of fibre optic links has made the country’s access to internet cheaper.
“The launch will lower data charges by 40%,” said Kazembe.
Speaking at the same event Telone Managing Director, Chipo Mutasa said the fibre links have connected Zimbabwe and it’s neighboring countries while minimizing chances of internet blackout.
“The infrastructure has connected Zimbabwe to Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa as a result, minimizing chances of internet blackout out similar to the one that hit us last year,” she said.
In his address President Mnangagwa said the optic fibre-link funded by China Exim Bank to the tune of USD$98 Million will help connect Zimbabwe to the rest of the world.
“We used to say Zimbabwe is landlocked but because of this infrastructure we are land-linked,” said Mnangagwa.
The project took a record 18 months to complete with hundreds of families benefiting through employment opportunities during its installation.
