Mobile operator MTN-Zambia has observed that Internet penetration in Zambia was still low. In a statement issued from Lusaka shortly after announcing Phase Two of the MTN Appathon application developers, MTN Zambia Chief Sales and Distribution Officer Amon Jere said there is need for Zambians to develop interest in and exploit the various data propositions in the country.
He noted that data in Zambia is wrongly perceived to be a preserve of the elite further saying providers are challenged to make it a mass market service as it has the potential to enrich people’s lives and in accordance with “our mission to make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter”.
“Data in Zambia is wrongly perceived to be a preserve of the elite. As a provider we are challenged to make it a mass market service to enrich people’s lives and in accordance with our mission to make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter. Data is critical for social and economic development of every country.
We are optimistic about our proposition as people will have easy access to information and improved communication between consumers, business and consumers and businesses to businesses as well as a tool for enhancing quality education,” he said.
Mr. Jere also said there is need to remove barriers for penetration saying MTN is already doing this through various initiatives including the provision the country’s fastest internet through 3G and 4GLTE as well as affordable and relevant devices.
As you can tell from our vision to lead the delivery of bold new digital world, we have strategically focused on the development of data in Zambia and we are continuously developing innovative and affordable ways to drive data and we are optimistic about our proposition as people will have easy access to information and improved communication between consumers, business and consumers and businesses and businesses.
Meanwhile, MTN Zambia today announced the second phase of the ongoing Appathon. The MTN Appathon is a competition that challenges young Zambians to develop their own computer applications and submit them to MTN Zambia. Successful applications will be uploaded on the MTN platform (Appstore) for public use.
Mr. Jere said MTN Zambia launched the Appathon to encourage innovation and give people a platform to showcase their talent. “Because these apps are home grown and data related, we are confident that data uptake will increase among our customers.”
“Over the years, we have noted with interest that Zambia has massive young talent that needs support and exposure in order to realise its potential. We will continue to receive brilliant and inspiring proposals from Zambia’s young talent and we feel this is the best way we can support and expose them.
The exposure for the developers, highlights the high demand and interest in open source solutions as we embrace the new world. As a leader in the digital space, we are optimistic about the possibilities which the MTN Appathon will bring,” he said.
The Appathon is running in two phases. Phase One: was the period for participants to develop and submit their apps to MTN for two months. Phase Two, will be the public judging period for one month where submitted apps will compete for downloads to qualify for the initial shortlist.
The shortlisted applications will be submitted to experts for confirmation of originality of concept, market relevance and commercial viability among other tests before being officially adopted.
The Appathon has been set in five categories: Entertainment & Lifestyle, Productivity, Games, Education and Health & Wellness.
The best applications in the each of the 5 categories will get a percentage of revenue from the application, K5,000 prize money, Samsung Galaxy S4 and free promotion of the application on MTN Play.
It has not only a low penetration but it is also annoyingly slow.Internet is always one of my biggest dilemmas whenever i`m in Zed.It is too expensive too.
I wouldn’t worry about this.
The PF will double the speed with fibre optics up to 100mbs
Thanks
What ?! Only three comments? Typical of Zambians they just blog when it involves politics.Reason why we are poor because we only eat,drink,sleep and dream politics
Well said Saulosi! All those issues coupled with telcos recycling the same chaps, like Amon Jere, who can not introduce innovative products that will make the internet attractive.
The title sounds very rude and an acceptable. It should read “The digital divide still wide in Zambia” “MTN moves to bridge the digital gap between Zambia and the western world”
@ Saulosi,
you have nicely summed up the internet dilema in our country.
Just to add on to this pain, even most higher institution of learning have no internet access available to students despite student having computer devices of their own. they are forced to acquire their own mobile internet services.
One way on increasing access is to make it mandatory that new housing units and commercial buildings have internet lines part of the building plans.
These services must not only be readily available but must be affordable as they are essential necessities of our livelihood now
@Saulosi well said hubby.Sivintu.
Kwena ichisungu abati ” Internet penetration”. poor choice of words
Can another word be used instead of penetration?
@1.1 Mushota – Within 90 days no doubt.
How do they expect high internet penetration levels when they provide a pathetic connectivity and very high charges ?
What do you expect when you have a dinosaur in State House who only thinks infrastructure development is resurfacing roads and constructing pointless stadia.
It is because you like stealing peoples money using your so called internet bundle service.
It’s kind of s#tupid for a 50 year old country that is scared of war and ensures there’s peace at all times to fail so dismally in everything. I mean we could have been better than Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, DRC Congo, Angola, to name a few, had we marshaled our brains towards creating utopia by this time. From war torn situation Rwanda has emerged as a force in ITC and they are galloping at ferrari speed towards becoming an economic giant. Zambia also gallops at alarming speeds but it’s only backwards towards a medieval sort of lifestyle. There’s definitely something screwy about us. Look at our leader for example, could it be he epitomises who we are as a people? If he does I am afraid we will remain in this rut for ever. A laughing stock.
We need to change our institutions so that progress is no longer a preserve but a freedom. The structural bottlenecks we inherited at independence have simply been strengthened and embellished.
@Kalok
I agree. Drastic change in leadership is a prerequisite.
“MTN Chiefs Sales and Distribution Officer Amon Jere having a ward with Emmanuel Sakala who developed called Zed Health Facilite whilst Joe Phiri developer Sherlock application is looking on during the launch of second phase of MTN application at MTN offices”.
I cannot make sense of the picture caption.
K5, 000 if the application is adopted hell NO!! that’s worth millions, how dare u undermine genius effort u exploiting people. internet is slow coz there is no political will and investor confidence.
Read pleae! Don’t rush to comment. The news says the best will get a percentage of revenue from the application plus (+) prize money.
And I quote… “The best applications in the each of the 5 categories will get a percentage of revenue from the application, K5,000 prize money, Samsung Galaxy S4 and free promotion of the application on MTN Play.”
MTN, does that explain why you are exploiting us with stupid rates for broadband which is limited to 30days? With an extortionate “use it or use it, else it goes to waste” clause? What has education done to you fellow Zambians sure? Because you know there is no choice so you have decided to make loads of money just because we have no choice?
Very good comments indeed!! It is like internet is not included in ZICTA’s mandate?!! As others have put it,internet speed is pathetically slow and charges are exploitative,so high and with expiry. What a robbery! The so called internet bundles should last as long as they have not been used! ZICTA wake and do your job instead of sweating day and night trying to catch bloggers!
Zambia is the most expensive country when it comes to internet / Cell phone services.
We need more service providers. The government should also put more incentives to bring in more ICT companies from all over the world. Even just an assembly point for companies like HP, Sony. Asus ,Dell and Apple. Zambia has an advantage of being in a nodal position. Its only when people start to own these gizmos will they see the importance of connecting to the internet.
AND MORE JOBS FOR THE YOUTHS !!!
JOHN CHINENA for PRESIDO !
SLOW and EXPENSIVE. I USE VERY CHEAP,FAST UNLIMITED $10/MONTH INTERNET IN EUROPE. IN ZAMBIA , FROM $10 YOU CAN ONLY READ EMAILS FOR TWO DAYS. MA RUBISH
@John Chin or Cena, because of your offensive surname, you can’t be voted for! But you have a point, just like the others have stated. What has happened to optic fibre infrastructure? Is it still working and being extended to other “rural” provinces? Has the ownership fued between ZESCO and Zamtel been resolved? What about the international gateway, are we all still transacting through Mwembeshi? As for the “penetration”, first take power to the villages so that computers and ISPs can operate. Then children learn to use ICTs. Or you mobile phone companies, take your smart phones far and wide, reduce your rates and be reliable. Not ifyakutumpa, ukwibila abantu.
Mtn kill yourselves,Internet will only penetrate your staff houses at k120/gb.you n.iggaz should be realistic,why would we think about Internet when we buy mealie meal at k70,water k120,electricity k300,transport k450 plus na dstv,you sell a commodity struggling to find a permanent place in my already crowded budget. Should I also mention we love free things,zamtel yagemuka for now,
MTN will continue to have low traffic of internet users on their network. Just compare K3.15 for a bundle of 20MB to K12.6 for a bundle of 30MB. People will always try to find. Value for money.
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