The project, which will cost $25 million, will be rolled out in phases, beginning with Harare and moving on to Bulawayo and then Mutare. The initial phase, currently underway, will connect 10,000 households by the end of 2016, with the objective to reach 50,000 homes.
"The project of connecting over 50,000 homes is in progress. Harare and other homes and surroundings will be connected by the end of the year,” said Zimbabwe's minister of ICT, Minister Supa Mandiwanzira.
The second phase will initially connect another 10,000, but by 2018 the companies aim to connect around 100,000 homes.
Chipo Mutasa, TelOne’s managing director, said the company was targeting neglected rural and newly resettled farming areas. She added: "We have the capacity and the technical expertise as TelOne, we do not need to outsource any service here, we have it all and can do it."
"The Zimbabwe government has mandated TelOne to play leading roles in meeting our penetration target [85% internet penetration in the region by 2020]. Everyone should have access to internet in Zimbabwe, this is the highway to social development,” added Mandiwanzira.
