Mobile telecommunications company, NetOne is set to bridge the communication gap in rural Chiredzi following the opening of its first branch in the Lowveld town yesterday as well as the erection of several boosters in the district.
By Tatenda Chitagu
NetOne was the only mobile telecommunications company which increased its market share last year, according to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) and is making inroads in Chiredzi, where remote areas near the border of South Africa and Mozambique rely on MTN and Cell Net from the two countries,respectively.
The telecommunications giant’s market share grew from 34 to 36,6% last year while sector leader Econet, for the first time in years, fell to less than 50%. Speaking at the official opening of the Chiredzi shop yesterday, Chiredzi South legislator Callisto Gwanetsa said most people in his constituency were cut off from the rest of the country because there was no cellphone signal reach.
“From Runde to Limpopo, there is a dead communication zone. People rely on MTN of South Africa and Cellnet from Mozambique. It is like they are outside Zimbabwe. I am glad that NetOne has opened a shop here in Chiredzi for the first time,” he said.
“I, however, challenge you to also establish other branches in Chiredzi so that people can have access to your services for them to communicate like everyone else in the country. Cross-border thieves are a problem near the border areas. There are minefields and disease warnings and floods should also be communicated easily.”
NetOne public relations manager John Nyashanu said his organisation was going all out to reclaim its pinnacle position in the sector.
