Wireless technology is a technology, such as cell phones, that uses radio waves to transmit and receive data. It is used increasingly for data transmission. Wireless communication is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not connected by an electrical conductor. It encompasses various types of fixed, mobile, and portable applications, including two-way radios, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wireless networking. Other examples of applications of radio wireless technology include GPS units, garage door openers, wireless computer mice, keyboards and headsets, headphones, radio receivers, satellite television, broadcast television and cordless telephones. Somewhat less common methods of achieving wireless communications include the use of other electromagnetic wireless technologies, such as light, magnetic, or electric fields or the use of sound.
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| Wireless technologies |
In Zimbabwe, the main companies spear spearheading the use and development of wireless technology are Econet Wireless, Telecel, Netone, Telone and Africom. These provide direct wireless calling systems, Internet and international roaming. They have set up infrastructure across Zimbabwe, even in the remote areas such as Binga and Chirundu. The three mobile networks Econet, NetOne and Telecel Zimbabwe are
investing in network upgrades to support data services and their
fast-expanding e-commerce and e-banking facilities.
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| Telecoms subscriber statistics |
NetOne’s
parent, TelOne (formerly PTC) still holds a de-facto monopoly on
fixed-line services in the country. The government is planning to
privatise up to 60% of TelOne and NetOne, either through an IPO or a
strategic partnership with a foreign investor. TelOne has been awarded
the country’s fourth mobile licence but hasn’t launched a service yet. Limitations
in international bandwidth for the landlocked country for many years
held back development of the internet and broadband sectors, but this
has changed since fibre optic links to several submarine cables have
been established via neighbouring territories. Massive expansion of 3G
mobile broadband services across the country has meant that more than
half of the population now has access to the internet. The first
commercial LTE services were launched in 2013, while investment in LTE
technologies, for which the regulator has assigned spectrum, continues.
| Mobile telecoms operators in Zimbabwe |
They have also made strides in mobile money with Econet launching Ecocash, Telecel developing Telecash whilst Netone has One Wallet. The total number of mobile subscribers is now 13,518,887, which is 1m up
from March 2013’s total of 12.6m. . Zimbabwe’s mobile penetration is at 87% now. This figure is based on the number of active sim cards in the country
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