Zimbabwe is finally admitting the digital divide is a total nightmare by promising free Wi-Fi nationwide. This National Development Strategy 2 initiative is being handled by Potraz, which is basically the gatekeeper for everything connected in the country. They want to turn high-density urban areas and rural spots into internet hubs.
The government is using the Universal Service Fund to pay for this massive expansion project. It is pretty much a recognition that data prices have been gatekeeping information for years. They are planning to dump these hotspots in schools, clinics, and bus terminals across the country.
Tatenda Mavetera confirmed that they already bought routers and are aiming for 1 000 free Wi-Fi hotspots soon. A pilot project in Hwedza is apparently finished, so they are moving to the next phase. They are even using chiefs and village heads to figure out where to put Starlink terminals.
They already handed over 8 000 Starlink kits to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education recently. This Presidential Internet Scheme is basically trying to modernize schools that have been stuck in the analog age. It is a huge deal for students who could never afford data.
Torerayi Moyo is hyped about this because it helps with e-learning and preparing for the digital economy. They also got a massive donation from UNICEF that included 815 laptops and 708 projectors. It is basically a tech explosion in places that barely had stable electricity.
Potraz is working with the International Telecommunication Union to map out coverage gaps using a new system. They are talking about 4G and 5G upgrades while also launching ZIMSAT-3 to boost satellite connectivity. It sounds like they are actually serious about fixing the terrible internet speeds.
The government is using the Universal Service Fund to pay for this massive expansion project. It is pretty much a recognition that data prices have been gatekeeping information for years. They are planning to dump these hotspots in schools, clinics, and bus terminals across the country.
Tatenda Mavetera confirmed that they already bought routers and are aiming for 1 000 free Wi-Fi hotspots soon. A pilot project in Hwedza is apparently finished, so they are moving to the next phase. They are even using chiefs and village heads to figure out where to put Starlink terminals.
They already handed over 8 000 Starlink kits to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education recently. This Presidential Internet Scheme is basically trying to modernize schools that have been stuck in the analog age. It is a huge deal for students who could never afford data.
Torerayi Moyo is hyped about this because it helps with e-learning and preparing for the digital economy. They also got a massive donation from UNICEF that included 815 laptops and 708 projectors. It is basically a tech explosion in places that barely had stable electricity.
Potraz is working with the International Telecommunication Union to map out coverage gaps using a new system. They are talking about 4G and 5G upgrades while also launching ZIMSAT-3 to boost satellite connectivity. It sounds like they are actually serious about fixing the terrible internet speeds.
