Published: 02 October 2013

Land line telephones still have a decent market share in Zimbabwe despite facing stiff competition from mobile operators.

TelOne managing director Mrs Chipo Mtasa said fixed lines were still an important communications tool in Zimbabwe.

"Land lines still have a market. We have the corporate sector still relying on land lines for much of their business," she said.

Mrs Mutasa said besides corporates, a considerable number of households were still using landlines.

She said landlines would continue to command a market share mainly because of their affordability in terms of tariffs.

Land line use has decreased over the years mainly due to rapid increase of mobile phone usage and vandalism of TelOne's transmitting equipment over the years when the country was in throes of an economic meltdown.

TelOne has subscriber base of slightly over 300 000.

Despite facing various challenges, TelOne is engaged in a number of activities to restore viability.

These include branching into internet provision through the ADSL platform.

Defaulting customers owe the company over $200 million.

The company, which the Government has earmarked for privatisation together with ten other parastatals, requires an estimated $120 million to restore viability.
- New Ziana

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