Potraz targets 1300 schools for e-learning

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has set the 2016 annual target to introduce an e-learning programme in 1300 schools across the country to improve access to computer technology.

The programme is expected to cost US$3 million and will also incorporate provision of equipment and connectivity to another 200 schools.

To facilitate the smooth implementation of the e-learning programme, the authority will embark on building and connectivity of new base stations and operators will be invited to come on board with electronic equipment in areas without mobile and broadband coverage.

Work is already in progress at three sites while the tender is being processed for eight additional sites.

With the 2G project more than 80 percent complete, POTRAZ Director General, Engineer Baxton Sirewu, said the organisation will now ensure the implementation of the quality of service regulation to facilitate an improvement in courier, mobile, fixed and broadband services.

"The other target that we have is to introduce converged licencing framework which we believe will make it reasonable and make it more sense to from an investor perspective to invest in telecommunications. Currently, we under a silo kind of arrangement where we have public data network, fixed network and cellular network but we would like to collapse most of these services and issue out converged licensing," he said.

The authority will also implement the tele-medicine programme at a cost of US$400 000 and it will be co-sponsored by POTRAZ and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).