A power line fibre optic internet cable project in Zambia has entered its second phase.

Work on the project, which is being carried out by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Zesco), entails installing fibre optic cables on high voltage power lines to connect rural towns and Zesco installations.

Areas planned to be covered under phase two include the likes of Kasempa, Solwezi, Kaoma and Kalabo.

The network in turn is expected to facilitate the provision of broadband communication services to banks, schools, hospitals, the business community and government departments in Zambia’s north-western province.

This province has reportedly been dogged by poor services owing to a lack of communications infrastructure.

The company says its power cables are designed to offer ‘reliable’ telecommunications support for mobile, fixed and internet technology, and are currently being used by government institutions, banks and mobile operators such as MTN and Airtel.

Zesco further claims it wants to serve customers better by improving technology in the supply and distribution of power, in light of persistent power outages being experienced in the country.

The power utility company has explained that the fibre optic project could help provide faster, more reliable communications for real-time monitoring, control and operation of the transmission lines.

“We would like to inform you that works will be carried out when the respective lines are switched off. In order to reduce the impact of the power outages to customers, we have arranged the works such that power is only taken out three times a week for a period of ten hours,” said Zesco in a public notice.

Extension of the phase two fibre project is planned to end at the end of next month, according to the notice.