OPEN access fibre connectivity provider Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) Zimbabwe has partnered Mauritius-headquartered wholesale telecom infrastructure provider Bandwidth and Cloud Services (BCS) group for a multi-million-dollar rail fibre optic project.
At least 1 180 kilometres of fibre was laid along the national rail tracks using locomotive power pulling a 100-tonne ploughing machine burying the fibre cable 1,2 metres underground and after every four kilometres, a manhole was installed to pull and connect the fibre cable using modern technology.
This fibre optic network is set to make Zimbabwe as the focal point of the internet on the African continent addressing the much-needed network diversity and redundancy in the country, also providing connectivity solutions between South Africa, Zambia and the entire Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
DFA Zimbabwe owns a 38% share in the 1 180km fibre network stretching from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls, financed by BCS.
Company spokesperson Rutendo Kanyowa said the first phase of the project cost an estimated US$18 million.
At the commissioning of the project in Victoria Falls recently, DFA Zimbabwe chief executive Simon Chimutsotso said the company was excited to be part of the historic project that will reinforce Zimbabwe’s position as the telecommunications traffic hub for Sadc and Africa at large.
Speaking at the event, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services minister Jenfan Muswere said the project underlines government’s commitment to improving people’s livelihoods in line with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area concept.
“This project demonstrates the desire by the government to empower people through technology and the digital economy,” he said.
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The project is split into two phases with the first connecting from Beitbridge along the railway line passing through Bulawayo, Hwange and Victoria Falls.
Another phase of the project is expected to also cost US$18 million.
The second phase will extend from Somabula to Harare via Gweru and then Mutare. It will also stretch from Bulawayo to Plumtree.
BCS group managing director Yonas Maru said that they were looking forward to the connection of electricity by Zesa to the 12 repeater sites along the railway where the long-haul transmission equipment will be hosted by February 2023.
