Broadband firm CEC Liquid Telecommunications plans connecting 7,000 households in Zambia to fibre optic cable networks to help boost internet penetration in the country
.
The company said it has invested about $15 million for the project, which is expected to see most households in the capital Lusaka connected to the fibre optic network.

The project is expected to be completed by June next year.

The company said the investment in the fibre optic expansion is intended to help boost the southern African country’s internet penetration and accessibility.

The company said this during a discussion forum organised by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) under the theme ‘broadband for sustainable development’.

According to internet service providers in Zambia - including mobile network MTN - the country’s internet penetration is still very low because of the perception that data services are a preserve of the elite.

Research firm BuddeComm notes that Zambia only has an internet penetration rate of 16% while the country has a mobile usage rate of 91% among its 14 million population.

However, ZICTA has said there is a need for heavy investment in the sector, as broadband could alleviate the nation’s digital divide.

ZICTA acting director general Mulenga Chisanga said it was encouraging to see that unserviced areas are now accessing information and communication technology services to meet different needs of people in their lives.

“Broadband services would ease the way of doing business in the country and add value to the economy. There is therefore need for industries to embrace broadband services to complete on a global level to grow their businesses,” Chisanga said.