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A Zambian privately owned Telecom Company has been launched with an investment of US$130 million to become Zambia’s fourth mobile operator in the country.
Beeline Telecoms, trading as Zed Mobile Network, was launched Wednesday by Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati in Zambia’s capital Lusaka.
Mutati said the telecom sector was one sector where Government would not dispatch laughs to Zed Mobile, despite it being Zambian owned.
He said quality services must be provided and that was what the Zambian people expected from Zed Mobile Network.
“This is the sector where you blink you die so from today onwards don’t blink otherwise you are going to die. It is a merciless sector, there are no friends, there is no pity and is one sector where we are not dispatching laughs even if it’s Christmas,” Mutati said.
He said the Government had created an enabling business environment for private sector growth, stating that it was up to Zed Mobile to fit into the space and provide quality services to the Zambian people.
Mutati said it was important to note that Government was not looking at who Zed Mobile was but what the company was investing and providing.
“We are not looking at who you are …yes you are Zambian but we are looking at what you are investing and what you are providing and whether you are playing by the rules.
“Being a Zambian is just an added advantage, we shall be sensible to you as always but have to ensure we have one level playing field,” he indicated.
Kelvin Hambwezya, Beeline Chairman, said they have so far invested about US$130 million in Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.
Hambwezya indicated that the company also intends to invest US$20 million in its operations.
He pointed out that Zed Mobile was 100 percent Zambian owned and currently they had invested about US$130 million on ICT infrastructure and would ensure that its business objectives align to those of Government.
“Zed Mobile will ensure that its business objectives align to those of the Government through the Ministry of Technology and Science in driving and promoting innovation and digitalisation in contributing to sustainable development through mobile network operations.
“This will be done with various partnerships such as agriculture, mining, tourism, energy, Commerce and Industry, Green Economy, Transport as well as Information and Communication Technology,” Hambwezya said.
Sydney Sichula, Beeline director, indicated that Zed Mobile had evolved from the desire that Zambians deserves the best network.
“We are also driven by the belief and confidence that Zambians can own and operate a world class mobile telecommunications company 100 percent.
“As the fourth mobile operator, we are committed to contributing positively to the development and evolution of ICT infrastructure and services in Zambia,” Sichula said.
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He explained that in accordance with license conditions, the company would deploy the Zed Mobile Network in all regions of Zambia and cover 82 percent of the population by December 31, 2023.
“Our network rollout will be in three phases. The first call will be in June 2023. Phase one will be completed by August 2023. Phase two will be completed by October 2023 and phase three will be done by December 2023,” Sichula said.
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