By 
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (EWZ), the country’s leading mobile network operator, is expanding its 5G infrastructure, deploying 32 additional base stations in Harare and planning 120 more sites.
Presenting the company’s trading update for the half-year period ending August 31, 2024, EWZ chairman, Dr. James Myers, highlighted the ongoing expansion of 5G infrastructure, the company has already deployed an additional 32 5G base stations in Harare, with plans for 120 more sites to be added in the near future.
“We are working towards enhancing the user experience by expanding our 5G network. With this densification, the maximum user throughput has increased significantly, and we are already seeing substantial growth in data market share, improved quality of service, and higher user throughput,” Dr. Myers said.
The push to expand 5G services comes amid rising competition from global internet provider Starlink, whose market penetration poses a challenge to local mobile network operators. Experts argue that 5G will bring faster internet speeds, opening up new possibilities in sectors like healthcare, education, and the development of smart cities, while allowing consumers to enjoy high-speed internet on the go.
During the reporting period, the company reported a 56% growth in data usage and a 36% increase in voice usage compared to the same period last year, supported by its ongoing network modernization efforts. The surge in data demand translated into a 47% revenue contribution from data, up from 38% in the previous year, while voice revenue contribution decreased to 41% from 49% as more consumers shift towards data-driven services.
EWZ also declared interim dividends of 0.41 US cents and 0.26 US cents per share for the half-year period, reflecting the company’s strong financial performance amid significant network investments.
As the rollout of 5G continues, EWZ is positioning itself to be a key player in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation, leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet and to maintain its competitive edge in the market.
Comments