PowerTel Communications, an ICT subsidiary of Zimbabwe’s power utility ZESA Holdings, has invested over US$5.5 million in establishing a dual gateway between Zimbabwe and South Africa to improve local network connectivity.
A dual gateway is a network configuration that employs two separate gateways to manage traffic, offering benefits such as redundancy and load balancing. This means that if one gateway fails, the other can seamlessly take over, ensuring uninterrupted network connectivity.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/business/article/200032791/powertel-invests-us55m-in-dual-gateway-into-sa">NewsDay</a>, Powertel’s acting managing director, Willard Nyagwande, explained that the US$5.5 million investment is part of a larger strategy aimed at improving operational efficiency and providing more affordable connectivity options for users. He said:
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In terms of investment, remember our brand is 25 years old. We have continued to invest in fibre technology, wireless technology and geo technology.
This year, we have invested more than US$5,5 million in building another gateway, a dual gateway into South Africa through Beitbridge in trying to embrace our redundancy [in case] Mozambique, Beitbridge or Plumtree are down.
As you know, in Zimbabwe, the internet is very affordable through Beitbridge, so we have invested more than US$5,5 million and that link is almost done.
</blockquote>
Nyagwade added that PowerTel had also invested millions into the network to allow for the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) to connect miners such as Dinson Iron and Steel Company and Bikita Minerals. He said:
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We recently powered up Bikita Minerals and as we speak now, they are both electrified and “datafied” by ZETDC and Powertel, enjoying speeds of more than 100 gigabytes per second so that is our relationship. So, if we put that investment combined, it is a lot.
</blockquote>
Powertel’s network investment roadmap outlines plans to invest up to US$355 million in fixed access, with an additional US$50 million allocated for long-term evolution, fifth-generation internet, and the national backbone network.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

PowerTel Communications, a company in Zimbabwe, spent $5.5 million to create a dual gateway to South Africa. This helps with network connection and makes sure it stays up even if one gateway fails. This investment is part of a plan to improve efficiency and make internet more affordable. PowerTel also invested in other technology to help connect companies like Dinson Iron and Steel Company. They have big plans to invest more money in improving the network in the future.

Powertel Invests US$5.5 Million In Dual Gateway Into South Africa

PowerTel Communications is unfazed by the recent launch of Starlink in Zimbabwe and can compete with Starlink’s speeds and affordability.
This was said by Acting Managing Director Willard Nyagwande during a connectivity products briefing in Harare recently.
Nyagwande said that PowerTel has allocated US$10 million to improve the service and give it a much-needed competitive advantage. He said (via <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/powertel-says-not-moved-by-starlink-vows-to-match-global-giant-on-speeds-and-affordability/">ZimLive</a>):
<blockquote>
The speed for Starlink goes up to 250 Mbps; it’s not a secret, ours can go up to Gigabit per second.
We can bring Starlink and our fibre here and do the test today, ours is faster.
Why would you invest in other technologies that are not all weather friendly?
I want you to be loyal to the most dependable technologies.
We also use the satellite and LEO, LTE, 5G Wireless radio technology to transmit and also fibre which is our primary technology using ZESA pylons which are dotted all over Zimbabwe.
Our clientele is the corporate world, the retail market and our drive called urban and rural datafication.
I want Zimbabweans to understand that our strategy is to give universal access to data as well as electricity.
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Nyagwande also revealed that a 200km of ZESA and PowerTel line has been connected to Bikita Minerals.
About six months ago, PowerTel announced it was pursuing domestic and international partners for a new optical ground wire (OPGW) project aimed at improving internet connectivity.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), PowerTel is licenced by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) as a Class ‘A’ Internet Access Provider.
The company operates a comprehensive optic fibre backbone network, along with distribution and access networks that include both fibre and wireless technologies.
Experts suggest that fibre internet generally offers faster speeds than Starlink, with lower costs for fibre plans. However, its availability can be more limited.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

PowerTel Communications in Zimbabwe says it can provide faster internet speeds and better prices than Starlink. They have invested $10 million to improve their service. PowerTel uses various technologies like satellite, LTE, 5G, and fiber to deliver internet. They are focused on giving universal access to data and electricity. The company recently connected a 200km line to Bikita Minerals. PowerTel is licensed by POTRAZ and is a subsidiary of ZESA. Experts say fiber internet is generally faster and cheaper than Starlink, but it may not be as widely available.

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