ZOL pleads for timeous approval of fibre-optic projects

Business
ONE of the biggest internet service providers in Zimbabwe, ZOL has called on government and local authorities to improve the turnaround time for fibre-optic projects approvals.

ONE of the biggest internet service providers in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Online (ZOL) has called on government and local authorities to improve the turnaround time for fibre-optic projects approvals from the current three weeks to at least one week to speed up infrastructure development.

BY TARISAI MANDIZHA

Speaking at the ZOL Zimbabwe Win a Trip competition handover ceremony in Harare on Friday, ZOL chief executive officer Denny Marandure said one of the challenges the company was facing was getting quick approval from the City Council to put up its fibre.

“One of the challenges we are facing is getting quick approval from the City Council to put up our fibre. We believe the biggest engine to economic growth is to get people connected, so what we want is to get people connected and we are trying to get far and we are trying to get it done faster,” Marandure said.

He said ZOL’s current market share was around 10% to 15% and this year the company was targeting to connect as many homes as possible. Marandure said ZOL had introduced a new product to the market where subscribers could access internet for $39 a month.

He added that the uptake for the product was overwhelming and Zol was anticipating more subscribers to come on board.

The competition’s first prize winner, Geoffrey Chiumia, from Belvedere South, won the London Luxury trip for four which includes return economy flights to London, seven nights’ accommodation and hospitality match tickets to a premier league football game. The prize also includes four tickets to see the Mama Mia Show live, $1 000 to spend in Harrods and Harvey Nichols and $3 000 to cover for meals and other spending.

The second prize winner was Ntando Ntaisi from Hillcrest, Bulawayo who won the “fun in the sun for four”. This prize includes return economy flights from Harare to Johannesburg, three nights’ accommodation at 3 Cabanas on a bed and breakfast basis and $1 000 spending money.

The third winner was Clive Mawson from Ballantyne Park, Harare won a romantic break for two which includes a Harare to Johannesburg for Business class return flight, return airport to hotel transfers, three nights’ accommodation at 5 Palace of the Lost City on a bed and breakfast basis and $1 000 spending money.

Marandure said the prizes were a reward to the Zol customers. He added that the company’s aim was to make internet available for everyone as currently internet was a need and a necessity that should be available for everyone at an affordable price.

ZOL is a subsidiary of Liquid telecoms, which is also the internet Access Provider for Econet Wireless.