Ericsson and China's ZTE have resumed work South African carrier Econet, after temporarily suspending a network expansion project during the March and June elections, local media reported.
The reports quoted Econet wireless corporate communications manager, Rangarirai Mberi, saying that Ericsson and ZTE undertook to resume the project that should see the network provider further increasing its subscriber base to 870,000 from 654,000.
The two companies had stopped implementing the project due to the unrest during the election period.
'Ericsson is providing equipment to expand the core network, which is made up of the switching systems, Intelligent Network platforms, prepaid systems, as well as new base stations in Harare, Mashonaland and Manicaland,' Mberi said
'ZTE of China is supplying radio base stations for the southern parts of the country, covering areas such as Bulawayo urban and its environs, Masvingo, Midlands, and the Matabeleland provinces. The Chinese company will also build new sites in remote rural areas as well as along the highways.'
This, according to Mberi, will further broaden Econet's market share and consolidate its position as the largest mobile phone company in Zimbabwe. State-owned NetOne and Telecel are second and third placed respectively sharing close to 40% market share between them.