1. CCZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ZIMBABWE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION BACKBONE: CONSUMER EXPECTATION IN TERMS OF SPEED, ACCESSIBILTY AND RELIABILITY
PRESENTED BY
ROSEMARY SIYACHITEMA
CCZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
17 SEPTEMBER 2009

2. There is an undeniable link between development in telecommunications as an engine for economic growth. Telecommunication technologies have
had a profound impact on whole societies and can greatly contribute
towards the attainment of Millennium Development Goals.
In line with the fourth consumer right, which is the right to information,
the development of ideal national backbone will ensure that a large
majority of Zimbabweans are tele connected via telephone (landline and
cell) internet and other telecoms technologies.

3. The ‘telecommunication’ consumer is a very diverse animal; from the
ordinary person needing to communicate with friends and relatives to the
more sophisticated ‘business' consumer who wants to do banking business
via the internet or wants to do tele-conferencing. You also have the
student or researcher who wants to search for information on the internet;
the days are long gone when people only use the physical post to send
messages and information. This is now the era of fast communication
technology where people connect and can see each other while talking via
their cell phone or webcam.

4. This is the information society where information technology plays an important role in:
The right to appropriate information
Access to education, training and skills
Development of e-government
Promotion of e-business to enhance and transparency accountability in the
use of public fund
Development and exchange on health and science research
Development of e-society in local communities
Development of e-strategies and promotion of international dimension of information society

5. To facilitate the above the consumer expectation embraces the
following elements of:
Access: currently, it is estimated that Zimbabweans have access to the land telephone, to the internet, and cellphones. The rural areas still lag behind telecoms connectivity.
Reliability: The issue of connectivity is very challenging in Zimbabwe. The frequent ZESA load shedding renders many telecommunication nul and void. Locals and Tourists alike have complained about lines not working, slowness of connections and unplanned and unannounced ZESA load shedding as cause of frustration and hindrance. There have been complaints of SMS’s going astray and lack of accountability by service providers.
Affordability: the cost of access or ownership to telecoms technology is generally prohibitive as its components and machinery are imported. We now boast of 3G technology when the basic technology is not accessible or affordable to many Zimbabweans. The cost of computers, cellphone handsets, sim cards and connectivity is inaffordable for many.

6. NETWORK COVERAGE
An ideal national telecommunications backbone will ensure that there is
an expanded network coverage and increased network capacity. There are
still areas where there is poor to no network at all hampering
communication for consumers. Even with the current telecommunications
operators, consumers find that the network provider they subscribe to
operates better in this area and maybe not another

7. Thank you! Tatenda! Siyabonga!
THE END
Thank you! Tatenda! Siyabonga!