Zambia ICT Sector Performance Review 2010 - Research ICT Africa

Zambia ICT Sector Performance Review 2009/2010
Network Development and Infrastructure
This section focuses on the current and future network and infrastructure developments taking
place in the country.
Fixed-Line Infrastructure
Zamtel's main network control and switching facilities are located in the capital Lusaka. Its fixed
network connects all major population centers through 94 regional exchanges, with an installed
capacity of 162,500 lines of which 90,600 lines were active, giving a utilization capacity of 56%. In
some rural areas the PSTN exchanges are powered by diesel generators giving rise to high and
uneconomic operational costs.
The fixed network is undergoing a substantial upgrade: over 80% of switching infrastructure is now
digital, and DSL capacity is being rolled out across the network. Zamtel’s primary fixed- wireless
network is also being upgraded and expanded, with coverage and capacity expected to more than
double by the end of 2011. Zamtel’s secondary fixed-wireless network, based on WIMAX
technology, is designed to cover the whole of metropolitan Lusaka, and is scheduled to go live
during 2010.
In addition to the above, both Zain and MTN are expected to launch their own international voice
services in the first half of 2010, following the reduction in license fees from twelve (12) million
dollars to three hundred and forty thousand (340,000) dollars 28 .
Mobile
As indicated earlier, there are three authorized mobile operators in Zambia, namely Zain, MTN and
Zamtel’s CelZ. This section highlights some of the network and infrastructure development projects
that the companies are undertaking or plan to undertake in the near future.
Zamtel’s mobile network is currently being expanded by over 60%, with 83 new cell sites being
deployed over the forthcoming 12 months (2009-2010) at an estimated cost of $23 million. These
new cell sites will all be EDGE-enabled, allowing the company to begin offering mobile internet
access and other value-added services.
Zamtel is also planning to spend an additional $23 million on the installation of its WIMAX network
in the country, starting with Lusaka. This project, which is in advanced stages, is expected to be
completed in 2010 29 .
Both MTN and ZAIN have been conducting trials for 3G services in Zambia, which they intend to roll
out in the first half of 2010. In this regard, by the end of December 2009 Zain had deployed more
than 200 3G base stations in key business and administrative centers in readiness for roll out. In
addition, in order to ensure delivery of quality services, Zain is planning to install a 116km opticfibre
metropolitan network in Lusaka to link its base stations 30 .
Backbone
The national backbone infrastructure is dominated by terrestrial microwave links. However, in
recent years significant efforts have been made to expand capacity with the introduction of opticfibre
networks along the main urban north-south development corridors.
ZAMTEL 31 Optic FIBRE network
Zamtel is in the process of completing a national fibre backbone network at an estimated cost of
US$48 million. The Zamtel optic fiber network is designed to connect its entire regional exchange
infrastructure and provide links to neighboring countries including Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe,
28 On 27 May 2010, the Government issued Statutory Instrument No. 34 of 2010 outlining the fees for various
licence categories
29 Personal discussion with the author
30 See (ZAIN ZAMBIA Limited, 2009)
31 Zamtel is also a shareholder in the East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy)
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