ZAMBIA: NOT MAXIMISING THE NET
The current position of internet use and provision in Zambia is nowhere near its potential, Microlink Technologies Limited managing director Jimmy Pittchar has said. Microlink is the latest internet service provider (ISP) to enter the Zambian market with a total investment of USD 1 million.
Pittchar attributed the limited use of available potential to insufficient capacities of ISPs in terms of infrastructure.
He said setting up an ISP was costly because of the required infrastructure but maintained it was profitable especially that Zambians were good at adopting technology. He predicted that internet uptake in the country would rise rapidly and that according to some estimates that number of internet users would rise from the present 9,000 and 45,000 users as is evidenced by the growing number of internet cafes. He said the trend was much like that of neighbouring countries which have seen the industry grow.
Pittchar noted that most people have not seen much relevance in the internet Microlink would focus on providing solutions that address business communications processes to bring relevance to business through internet.
He said with value added internet-based business, Microlink would enable the internet to be effectively used as a market place.
Pittchar said his company has entered into various specific agreements with a number of upstream global service providers aimed at cutting on costs passed on the end-user. He said this would also enhance capacity and technical expertise.
The company would among other services build web sites, develop web content for advertising purposes, help organisations manage their information better and provide technology solutions that reduce communication costs.