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INTERNATIONAL Telecommunication Union (ITU) deputy secretary-general Houlin Zhao is confident that Zambia will beat the digital switch-over deadline set for next year.
Mr Houlin said Zambia has demonstrated seriousness in meeting the deadline.
He was responding to questions from journalists on Monday when he paid a courtesy call on Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications permanent secretary Charles Sipanje.
“I am very confident Zambia will meet the digital migration. Digital spectrum is the most efficient way of accommodating more frequencies,” Mr Houlin said.
He said Zambia, like the rest of Africa, has been very serious about migrating from analogue to the digital spectrum.
And Mr Houlin says post offices still have a role to play even in the information and communication technology (ICT) age and can be used as e-centres for villages.
Mr Houlin said Zambia can play a strategic role in Africa by setting up communication towers for the rural populace.
Meanwhile, Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) director-general Margaret Mudenda said the authority has embarked on an ambitious programme to erect 500 communication towers by 2016.
So far, 169 have been installed across the country enabling villagers to communicate effectively.
“By the end of 2014, there will be 204 towers,” Ms Mudenda said.
She said ZICTA has received enough support from Government and that there has been overwhelming political will by the current administration.
And Ms Mudenda said ZICTA appreciates the relationship it shares with ITU.
Zambia Daily Mail
