Press Release: Huawei, Zamtel and ZICTA launch phase 2 of communication towers project

Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. Brian Mushimba has made the symbolic first call to launch the second phase of the Communication Towers Project, paving the way for every citizen in the country to have access to a mobile phone signal.
Leading global information communications technology (ICT) solutions provider Huawei Technologies Zambia will build telecommunication towers in remote areas across the country under the project, which will see Zambia leapfrog its neighbours in terms of mobile phone coverage.

The Minister of Transport and Communications was joined representatives of the Barotse Royal Establishment, ZICTA representatives and other dignitaries at Nanjucha in Western Province to launch the Phase II of the Communication Towers Project.

“The Patriotic Front Government under the able leadership of H.E. the President Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu is committed to ensuring that the Government takes the lead in embracing innovative ICTs for efficient, effective and transparent service delivery to the people of Zambia,” said Mr Mushimba. “The launch of the communication tower in Nalolo District signifies government’s commitment and resolve to promoting access to and use of information communications technologies by all citizens regardless of their geographical location,” he added.

Under Phase II of the project, Huawei Technologies will connect rural communities to a mobile phone network through the building of 808 communication towers that will help to promote economic prosperity, cultural development and quality of life in outlying regions.

“This project will improve communication and help stimulate economic activities in these rural areas. I must mention that without the support from other stakeholders, this would not have been possible for us. We have been working closely with the Zambian government and we want to thank the government for providing support, guidance and the right policies under which we have been operating as a company,” said Huawei Technologies Zambia country director Emilion Ming.

Huawei is the world’s largest telecommunication and Information Communication Technologies (ICT) solutions provider, serving 45 of world’s top 50 telecom operators. Its products and solutions are benefiting one third of the world’s population.
“This project’s aim is to bring total connectivity to Zambia, and it further demonstrates our efforts as a responsible company committed to integrating local people into the global community. This initiative will contribute a lot to helping improve lives in rural areas,” said Mr Ming.

The towers will be operated by Zamtel and are designed to be scaled up to meet future needs, accompanied by guaranteed quality. Huawei has also made sure the project is economically and financially viable in order to provide a long-term sustainable solution to removing the digital divide. The system will also strengthen Zamtel’s delivery capability and enable the government to communicate more efficiently with all its citizens, while keeping pace with market demand for data and calls.

Zambia’s rapid growth has meant that communications services have not always kept pace, and growth in mobile phone coverage has been lagging behind many other countries in the region. The current project is expected to enable Zambia to leapfrog that gap.
With the joint effort of more than 170,000 employees in more than 170 countries, Huawei is ranked 129th of the Fortune 500 companies. It has 16 R&D centres, 36 joint innovation centres and 45 training centres worldwide, creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services.

Huawei Technologies, in collaboration with Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), launched phase I of the communication network coverage project in 2014 with an aim of installing 204 telecom towers in rural areas across the country’s ten provinces.

“Huawei Technologies Zambia has been working with the Zambian government on the communication tower project which has brought 200,000 people from Zambian rural areas to the connected world,” added Mr Ming.

The launch coincided with the start of Huawei’s flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, Seeds for the Future, under which ten Zambian students are travelling to China for a two-week training programme at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, where they will learn about the latest technology advances.

Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. Brian Mushimba makes the first call to launch the second phase of the Universal Access Programme, paving the way for every citizen in the country to have access to a mobile phone signal.

Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. Brian Mushimba and Huawei Technologies Zambia country director Emilion Ming.launch the second phase of the Universal Access Programme, paving the way for every citizen in the country to have access to a mobile phone signal.

Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. Brian Mushimba and Huawei Technologies Zambia country director Emilion Ming.with dignitaries at the launch of the second phase of the Universal Access Programme, paving the way for every citizen in the country to have access to a mobile phone signal.

Source: Langmead & Baker

About Huawei Technologies Zambia
China-based company Huawei Technologies has been established in Zambia for more than 12 years and employs around 100 staff, most of whom are local Zambian people including those holding key senior positions. The company is bridging the digital divide with its technologies and solutions for telecommunications networks, consumer devices, and cloud computing, and was the first to introduce the high-speed 3G network to Zambia. The information and communications technology (ICT) company is a strategic partner and solution provider for all the telecommunications operators in Zambia. Huawei works with around 200 local suppliers and sub-contractors, helping to create thousands of additional jobs. Recently the company was awarded a contract by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) to install 169 mobile telephone base stations in rural areas, helping to bring connectivity to remote communities.

Huawei worldwide
Founded in 1987, Huawei has grown from a US$5,680 small firm to a leading global company with sales of US$60.8 billion in 2015.
As the world’s largest telecommunication and ICT solutions provider, Huawei serves 45 of world’s top 50 telecom operators. Its products and solutions are benefiting one third of the world’s population.
With the joint effort of 170,000 employees in more than 170 countries, Huawei is ranked 129th of the Fortune 500 companies.
Contributing to the sustainable development of the society, economy, and the environment, Huawei Technologies creates green solutions that enable customers to reduce power consumption, carbon emissions and resource costs.
More information is available at www.huawei.com