Mobile phone calls to become cheaper when operators share infrastructure

Mobile phone calls will be cheaper when service providers share infrastructure, the Minister of Information Communication Technology Supa Mandiwanzira said yesterday.

Responding to a question from Uzumba legislator Simba Mudarikwa on why there was no local roaming when there was regional and international roaming, Mandiwanzira said there was no local roaming because operators were too selfish with their infrastructure.

Local roaming allows someone using one network to use the infrastructure of another network if that person’s network does not have coverage in that area.

“It is a matter that we are now beginning to address using the regulator called POTRAZ to insist on infrastructure sharing by all operators. When we achieve this, it will allow calls to be even much cheaper,” Mandiwanzira said.

“Currently, what is happening is that, you will have Econet, Telecel and NetOne building three towers on the same mountain and yet they can share one.  We are working on it as a Ministry to ensure that this duplication of infrastructure is not allowed and that Zimbabweans are not meant to pay extra than they should actually pay.”

Q & A:

MR. MUDARIKWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Mandiwanzira. Why is it that there is no national roaming in Zimbabwe and yet there is regional and international roaming?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (MR. MANDIWANZIRA): I would like to thank the hon. member for the question. The issue that he raises is quite an important issue. Just to make sure that people understand because I think others might be wondering what he means – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, there is no need to respond Hon. Minister, you are not to listen to what the hon. members are saying just address the Chair.

MR. MANDIWANZIRA: The issue of local roaming is a very important issue because what it does is that it allows anyone who is using a different network, for instance, if someone is using NetOne and get to an area in Zimbabwe where NetOne has no infrastructure but Telecel or Econet has, they should be able to use that infrastructure on a roaming facility.

In Zimbabwe, it has not been happening because there has been a tendency by the operators to be so selfish with their infrastructure. It is a matter that we are now beginning to address using the regulator called POTRAZ to insist on infrastructure sharing by all operators. When we achieve this, it will allow calls to be even much cheaper. Currently, what is happening is that, you will have Econet, Telecel and NetOne building three towers on the same mountain and yet they can share one.

We are working on it as a Ministry to ensure that this duplication of infrastructure is not allowed and that Zimbabweans are not meant to pay extra than they should actually pay. Thank you Madam Speaker.

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