The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco) says it has successfully installed a fibre-optic network on its pylons in Muchinga province.

The installation of the optic fibre network in the province that started in February this year is expected to improve communication in the central part of the country.

Zesco, the country’s power utility company is currently carrying out a $52 million fibre-optic installation and maintenance of its transmission infrastructure to improve communication and reduce power outages.

The installation of the fibre-optic network and the maintenance works on the transmission line by Zesco are also expected to improve the protection, control, monitoring, and operation of the 330 kilovolts transmission system.

The network is further aimed at providing more broadband communication in the country.

A Zesco divisional manager said the company has successfully completed the project in Muchinga with the last power shutdown last Sunday, when the company made its final touches of the installations.

Zambia endures persistent power interruptions, but once the network upgrades are complete, Banda said the number of power interruptions is expected to drop drastically.

“The problem of low voltage being experienced by most customers in the country will soon come to an end,” Banda said.

Chinsali District Commissioner Evelyn Kangwa said it was good that Zesco took up the challenge to of installing the network as well as carrying out maintenance works of the transmission lines so that power supplied to the region was reliable.

“I want to commend Zesco for successfully installing the optic fibre network in the entire province as this will ensure reliable power supply and communication,” Kangwa said.

Zesco has already installed fibre networks in the capital Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt and part Western and Luapula provinces.

The company’s broadband communication system is currently being used by government institutions, banks and mobile operators including MTN and Airtel.

The company said early this year that the installation of optic fibre networks would also stimulate growth of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in rural areas and help bridge the digital divide.