Bulawayo (New Ziana)- Powertel Communications has successfully completed the first phase of the Plumtree–Victoria Falls Biocapacity Backbone Upgrade Project, marking a major step in expanding broadband capacity and positioning the country as a regional digital connectivity hub.
The project marks the beginning of a US$10 million network modernisation program that will increase the backbone capacity of the telecommunications company from just 3 gigabits in 2022 to 14 terabits, with the first 800 gigabits already activated between Plumtree and Bulawayo.
In an interview after launching the project, Powertel board chairperson Miriam Chahuruva said the successful completion of the first phase demonstrates the commitment of the company to modernising digital infrastructure and supporting national development.
“The launch marks the successful completion of the first phase of the Plumtree-Victoria Falls Biocapacity Backbone Upgrade Project. This achievement reflects the board’s commitment to providing strategic oversight that enables Powertel to invest in modern infrastructure, strengthen its commercial position and deliver sustainable value to our shareholders and the nation,” she said.
She said the upgrade represents a dramatic leap in telecommunications capacity, positioning the country to meet growing demand for high-speed digital services.
“We are moving from 3GB in 2022 to 14TB, which will come live in phases, and today we are looking at 800GB which is now live,” she said.
Chahuruva noted that robust digital infrastructure had become indispensable for economic transformation, innovation and improved public service delivery.
“Reliable, high-capacity telecommunications networks are essential for powering innovation, smart energy systems, digital public services and strengthening the country’s competitiveness within the regional and global economy,” she said.
She commended Ppowertel shareholder the Mutapa Investment Fund, ZESA Holdings, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, engineers, contractors and employees for supporting the project.
“This achievement is not the destination but an important milestone in a much broader journey. As a board, we remain committed to sound governance, prudent investment and strategic leadership that will ensure Powertel continues to create sustainable value while contributing meaningfully to the vision 2030 (the vision to become an upper middle income society by 2030) and the National Development Strategy 2,”she said.
Speaking on the same occasion, Powertel acting managing director Willard Nyagwande said the backbone upgrade forms part of a broader US$10 million investment program aimed at transforming the telecommunications infrastructure in the country through the deployment of cutting-edge technology.
He said Powertel has already invested about US$2 million in the first phase to deploy Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) equipment, which dramatically increases fibre optic transmission capacity without the need to lay new fibre.
“This equipment will enable more capacity to be transmitted in and outside Zimbabwe. We are coming from a low capacity of 3 gig in 2022 to a foundation of 14 terabits, with 800 gig already activated,” he explained.
Nyagwande said the newly activated capacity now enables Zimbabwe to access 800 gigabits of bandwidth between Plumtree and Bulawayo, while the extension to Victoria Falls is expected to be completed by the end of August this year.
“The fibre is already available. We are simply upgrading the equipment to the latest technologies so that Zimbabwe, Southern Africa and the global village can enjoy super-fast connectivity,” he said.
New Ziana
