Zesco to spend $30mon optic fibre project
Zesco to spend $30mon optic fibre projectBy Joan Chirwa
Monday April 14, 2008 [04:00]
ZESCO Limited expects to spend around US $30 million on phase two of the optic fibre project for areas that were not covered under the first phase. And a total length of 1,700 kilometres of optic fibre has so far been installed on Zesco power lines under its first phase of the project.
Zesco Limited senior manager for marketing and public relations Monica Chisela stated that the second phase of the optic fibre project would concentrate on connecting Kasama, Mongu, Chipata and Mansa – provincial headquarters that were not covered in the initial phase.
“Preliminary estimates show that the amount that will be required is in the tune of US $30million in order to cover the distances that will be in excess of 3,000 kilometres,” Chisela stated. “Phase II is planned to commence sometime in 2008. To date nothing has been spent on phase II.”
At present, several service providers such as Celtel, MTN, Zamnet, Coppernet, UUNET, Realtime, Lafarge Cement, Zambia Revenue Authority, National Breweries and Communications Authority, are utilising the Zesco network for service provision.
Phase I of the project begun in May 2006 and was completed in June last year.
During the initial phase, optic fibre was installed on the power lines from Lusaka to the Copperbelt and beyond to Kansanshi and Lumwana in Solwezi.
In addition, the fibre was installed on the power lines from Lusaka to Sesheke with links to Mazabuka, Choma and Livingstone.
The first phase, which cost a total of US $13 million, was completed by installing fibre on the power lines from Lusaka to Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank Power Stations.
The optic fibre network provides a very high speed and reliable infrastructure for telecommunications. The technology lends itself easily to the provision of higher internet access rates and is ideal for high data transfer rates.
“By installing the optic fibre, Zesco has provided wider coverage for all telecoms operators in some of the urban and rural areas. For instance there is increased access around Lusaka and for the very first time, digital telecommunications is available in the rural towns of Sesheke, Kazungula, Siavonga, Solwezi and Lumwana,” Chisela stated. “The Zesco Optic fibre has provided options for international connections with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
For instance if the connection with Namibia is completed, it will mean that Zambia will be connected to the undersea cable that goes into Europe.”
Labels: OPTIC FIBRE, ZESCO
posted by MrK @ 4:38 AM
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