Potraz relocates over 40 base stations

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), in partnership with mobile network operators, has successfully relocated more than 40 base stations to improve connectivity in previously underserved communities.

The initiative, known as the Tower Relocation Project (TRP), is being rolled out with the support of NetOne, Econet, and Telecel. The programme involves moving base stations - commonly referred to as boosters - from sites with multiple installations to areas with little or no network coverage.

According to Potraz, of the relocated base stations, 27 are already operational, nine have completed civil works and are awaiting Radio Access Network (RAN) installation, while eight are still under construction.

The TRP is part of ongoing efforts to expand access to reliable communication services nationwide, bridging connectivity gaps in remote and rural communities.

Sites now on air:

Matabeleland South: Mapholisa (Mangwe) and Nswazi (Bulilima)

Matabeleland North: Sinamusanga (Binga)

Midlands: Mbuyanehanda (Mberengwa)

Mashonaland Central: Cranham (Mazowe), Chatumbama (Mt Darwin), Gunganyama (Rushinga), Mukumbura (Mt Darwin), Mukosa (Rushinga), Chitsungo (Guruve), Guruve Nyamuseve (Guruve), Nyamahobogo (Mt Darwin)

Masvingo: Svuure and Ngwana Range (Zaka), Gezani and Chikwarakwara (Chiredzi)

Manicaland: Nyakomba (Nyanga) and Mutanda Range (Odzi)

Other provinces: Trelawney (Zvimba, Mashonaland West), Karimbika (Pfungwe, Mashonaland East), Avilla/Fombe (Nyanga, Manicaland), Muchekawakasungabeta (Sanyati, Mashonaland West), Zvipani (Hurungwe, Mashonaland West), Fair Adventure (Hwedza, Mashonaland East), Msampakaruma (Kariba, Mashonaland West), Ginger Turnoff (Mudzi, Mashonaland East)

Sites where civil works are completed and awaiting RAN installation:
Maitengwe (Bulilima), Mlambaphele (Gwanda), Mphoengs (Mangwe) in Matabeleland South; Gunganyama (Rushinga) and Mukosa (Rushinga) in Mashonaland Central; Nyakomba (Nyanga, Manicaland).

Sites under construction:
Gwampa (Nkayi, Matabeleland North), Makonde Obva (Makonde, Mashonaland West), Musadzi (Gokwe, Midlands), Muzungurira (Shamva, Mashonaland Central), Chipfiko Dam (Mutoko, Mashonaland East), Makonde Muvhami (Makonde, Mashonaland West), Mola (Kariba, Mashonaland West), Gotekote (Nyanga, Manicaland).

Potraz director general, Dr Gift Machengete, said the authority is working flat out to ensure all corners of the country have access to network connectivity.

"The TRP programme has been moving on very well. What we needed before was about 350 towers to cover the whole country, but due to resource constraints, we could not achieve this.

"We also tried to get assistance from China and other countries, but it did not materialise. That's when this concept of relocation was born, and we can see that this project is bearing fruit," said Dr Machengete.