ZAMTEL limited has rolled out its third Generation (3G) technology with an investment of US$37 million.
3G technology is a wireless network technology that is commonly used in mobile telephone (smart phones), while its predecessor, second generation, was formulated around voice applicants (like talking, call waiting and voice mail).
Zamtel chief commercial officer Amon Jere, speaking at the Agricultural and Commercial show in Lusaka, said 3G technology puts a strong emphasis on internet and multimedia services such as web browsing, video conferencing and downloading music.
Mr Jere said the 3G technology will be first switched on along the line of rail and North-western province, Copperbelt province, Lusaka, Choma, Mazabuka and Livingstone.
“We expect to finish the first phase in October while the second phase will see us switch on all provincial capitals.
This means our customers will now be able to access mobile broadband on their phones or laptops,” he said.
He said customers will have access to higher data speed and enjoy multimedia services such as Skype calls and video chats using msn.
The technology will also support mobile television, video on demand, video conferencing, tele-medicine and location-based services.
Mr Jere assured customers of affordable 3G enabled terminals such as mobile phones and dongles in all centres with 3G base stations.
Mr Jere said Zamtel is working with its partners (Samsung, ZTE and Wawi) to bring affordable smart phones in the country.
“It’s all about affordability when it comes to Zamtel. there is no point investing US$37 million in the 3G network when there is a barrier to it, people cannot access smart phones,” he said.
He said early this year, Zamtel made investment commitments that are being met citing the new billing system that will enable the company develop creative products, investment in the subscriber management system and the new call centre.
Other innovations soon to be launched include the number management system that will enable customers create their own phone number and the ISP call network that will enable Zamtel create different internet packages for customers depending on their pockets.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Make sure you buy a phone capable of switching to both networks anytime. Being stuck on 3G networks when not all areas are covered(see line of rail startup) is a bad option.
Most phones have this capability already in Zambia so its not much of a worry.
Just tell that relative in diaspora who wants to send you their old one, Sorry man my old phone is better but you can send me the Iphone 5 if you like too.
thank you gaddafi for investing in zamtel. these are the fruits. good luck wit the war in benghazi h….lol hope you in. those rebels fightin you would nt do us good jus like sata here in zambia. happy ramadan… shukran
Not having enough coverage in 3G caused Vodafone to lose 30% of its customers in 6 months. I’m sure you have heard of VODAFAIL
A smart person will take this advice – inform the networks you will supply land for them to build towers for their antenna’s.
People are making $10K a year here for land measuring 10 metres by 10 metres.
being a prophate, i foresee zamtel overtaking both mtn and this rotten airtel in subscriber base as a result of having a superior service. I further forsee them start to go airtel’s way of subsciber unhapines because of their detoriating services once they grow too big (headed) as they would have become too conceited and complacent…pray that my last prophacy does not come 2 pass.
All these are Ngoni thieves.
I wonder what useless tribe you come from. Ngonis are not thieves, they are dignified people, if you think RB or Dora are Ngonis, do your research again. Have respect for other people’s tribes.
ask them to tell u their growth since the new guys bought zamtel…..these guys are going nowhere,funds have been frozen and our corrupt HERB is pumping in our tax payers money…time will come when that can’t go on and then booom…remember liquid telecoms and CEC has a new joint venture to compete with these poor service providers in data comms
playing catch up, isn’t MTN running on 3G already, how will this translate in retail prices, I hope you don’t make your subscribers paid through the nose $37m is a lot to recover.
zambia catch up, us here we been enjoyin these services for too long. good luck zamtelevision
I believe this is one sector that must be supported with tax exemptions if and only if, it generates social benefits. Am all for telemedicine and, hope that such initiatives will increase Zambia’s life expectancy – an important pre-requisite for substantial investments in human capital.
good move.i ll switch 2 ur network when u launch it.hairtel is charging 4 missed call notification wtf! and wats wit all these promoz from hairtel
good move.i ll switch 2 ur network when u launch it.hairtel is charging 4 missed call notification wtf! and wats wit all these promoz from hairtel:d