Africa's 1st Rail - Fibre Optic Project Takes Off In Zimbabwe
A continental telecom infrastructure provider, Bandwidth and Cloud Services (BCS) Group Wednesday commissioned the first multi-million dollar rail fibre optic project to connect Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa with broadband services.
The project is set to make Zimbabwe the epicentre of internet traffic in Africa, according to the Chronicle.
More than US$18 million was invested in the first phase of the project which started in Beitbridge along the railway line past Rutenga, Somabhula, Bulawayo and Hwange to Victoria Falls.
The second phase will see the network extending from Somabhula via Gweru to Harare as well as Bulawayo-Plumtree and Harare-Mutare.
Information Communication Technologies, Postal and Courier Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere presided over the launch in Victoria Falls yesterday.
The BCS Group partnered with National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and uses advanced technology to dig and lay cables under the ground on the side of the railway line, ushering the country into the 4th industrial revolution.
A locomotive pulling a 100-tonne machine is used to plough 1.2 metres deep on the side of the rail simultaneously laying a hollow duck pipe in which the cables will be running, and there is a device that fills the trench immediately.
Manholes are prepared every 4km along the railway line where technical workmen comprising different nationalities employed by the Mauritius-headquartered BCS, use a winch to pull the cables through the duck and join them.
Two 96 wire cores/cables are laid side by side and only two of the 96 will be used to transmit broadband and the rest can be sold to other network partners, BCS experts said
Cables have been laid from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls and BCS group managing director Mr Yonas Maru said they are only waiting for ZESA to connect 12 sites where the system will be hosted along the railway and anticipate rolling out the network in February next year.
Minister Muswere said the project came a day after Government launched the National Broadband Plan to enhance access to technology by industry.
The project becomes the first cloud rail network in Africa.
The project is premised on ensuring that millions of Zimbabweans experience cheaper and faster network connectivity.
Potraz Director-General Dr Gift Machengete said bandwidth is the bedrock of the 4th industrial revolution which requires improved broadband connectivity for job creation, global competitiveness and betterment of lives.
NRZ is set to benefit from access to the free unlimited connection which will help improve the railway authority’s signal system, the parastatal’s general manager Ms Respina Zinyanduko said.
