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The State of Internet Technology in Zambia

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The State of Internet Technology in Zambia The state of internet technology in Zambia (a media perspective) Elastus Mambwe Department of Media and Communication Studies, University of Zambia To cite this article: Mambwe, E. 2015. The state of internet technology in Zambia. In Media Industry in Zambia: A Handbook. Lusaka: DMCS/Mission Press. pp. 203-220 CHAPTER 13 The State of Internet Technology in Zambia (a media perspective) Introduction his chapter looks at Internet but extends to commerce, trade, governance technology in Zambia. It begins by and medicine, among others. giving an introduction that defines and T briefly discusses the importance of the The internet can simply be defined as a internet. The chapter then gives a historical worldwide system of computer networks. It is account of the birth of the internet in the a global network of information networks that country and goes on to describe the current “provides an array of tools for people to use status of the technology in Zambia. A for information retrieval and communication perspective discussion on the internet and the in individual, group and mass contexts media is thereafter given and then it concludes (Heinonen, 1999: 36). by making some projections based on current Goel (1997: 3) defines the internet as “a trends and experiences. collection of individual data networks There is no denying the fact that the Internet is connected together in such a way that data can possibly one of the be transmitted back and forth between any one most important technologies that have individual data network and any other significantly affected the way we communicate. individual data network.” Many aspects of everyday life have also For media and cultural studies, the internet fits changed, a testament to the idea that its impact the description of a public sphere, a goes beyond communicative aspects of society, space where people come together as a public 203 to discuss issues and ideas (Habermas, 1989), (1996: 193) the very first recorded message as it gives users a space or forum to freely through this system was sent to the Baobab, an express themselves and engage in meaningful African interests network based in interaction and debate necessary for the Washington, D.C. in the United States, on 30 progression of society. September 1991” History of the Internet in Zambia This facility, then called UNZANET, was a Fidonet system using dial-up telephone lines to Zambia became the fifth country in Africa, the transmit messages via dedicated host first in the entire Sub-Saharan Africa, aside computers. Under a special agreement with from South Africa, to have full access to the Rhodes University in South Africa, UNZA was Internet on 22 November 1994. According to provided a link to the Internet via thrice-daily, Robinson (1996: 191), this achievement computer-to-computer telephone calls, an followed three years of development of an arrangement that went on from 1991 to 1994 electronic mail network serving non- when full access was achieved (ibid., 194). commercial interests within the country at the University of Zambia (UNZA). At the time, The original users of UNZANET were the the level of computer skills among the schools and departments of the population was dismally low and training in University but its use increased within a short Computer Science existed only at a lower level. period to include NGOs, health institutions, and aid or development agencies. According to In 1991 the Computer Centre at the University Robinson (ibid.), one of the reasons for the of Zambia received a microcomputer and rapid growth of UNZANET was the fact that modem to provide the "host" of the first it was provided as a free service. At this time, University email system from the International all users had to cover was the cost of Development Research Centre (IDRC)-funded ESANET project. According to Robinson 204 local calls into the UNZANET. Naturally, this brought about the need for a larger capacity was bound to be short-lived. As Robinson and a faster link that was also going to be (ibid., 195) notes: managed in a sustainable manner. “…a free service-provided through the In 1993, a proposal for funding to enable generosity of others-could not be UNZA to have direct link to the internet was sustainable. The Computer Centre of the made to various international funding University, with its responsibilities to the University administration, was not in a organisations. At the start of 1994, the position to sell and maintain a commercial University established a private campus-based service to customers from outside of the company called ZAMNET Communication University, nor to pay the salaries of the Systems Limited whose purpose was to put in high quality staff that such a service would place the connection to the Internet and to sell require.” access to the services that the internet provides. The ZAMNET project managed to receive 80 With time, large volumes of messages percent funding from the World Bank. And so characterized the system and more and more ZAMNET was fully operational from data was being demanded for by users. This February 1994 with the aim of distributing Internet services to users throughout Zambia after the World Bank funding had run out using a variety of methods and with two main (ibid., 196 - 197). objectives: firstly, to put in place the hardware and technical support necessary to provide a ZAMNET continued to provide the important reliable full Internet service, and secondly, to and much needed service to all sectors put in place the administrative staff and of Zambian society and became successful in procedures, and market the Internet service so achieving its objectives. By January 1996, that it would be fully self-sustaining after one ZAMNET had grown to accommodate 417 year of operation, and interactive accounts and these accounts generated 9,558 connections (ibid., 214). 205 Internet Regulatory Regime in Zambia responsive competitive ICT sector. The policy also seeks to guide the country’s goal of being Today, the ICT sector is governed within the transformed into information and knowledge context of the National Information and based society. According to the document, the Communication Technology (ICT) Policy ICT sector is represented by a four-tier system launched in March 2007. It is the guiding that consists of policymaking, legal and document for ICT development in Zambia. regulatory framework, operators and The policy sees ICTs, such as internet consumers. technology, as “an enabler to build an information centered society where everyone a. Policy Making: this is not only seen as can create, access, utilize and share information an important component in shaping and knowledge leading to greater productivity, the industry, but as a foundation for its greater competitiveness and sustainable development, and should involve economic growth, a precondition for poverty various sectors but with direction from reduction” (GRZ, 2006: 1). The document also the Communications ministry. emphasizes on the ability for ICTs to be used b. Legal and regulatory framework: This as an effective tool in enhancing good includes an array of institutions such as governance. the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Communications parliament, the The National ICT policy offers a regulatory sector regulator ZICTA. framework that seeks to harmonise the c. Operators: these include operators in contribution of ICTs to national development telecommunications services such as through creation of an innovative market and fixed telephony or mobile cellular providers; in information 206 technology services such office where technological and market shifts automation and networking solutions; have made significant changes to the postal services including courier traditional understanding of services; and broadcasting services broadcasting. d. Consumers: these are considered to an well as the poor coordination of the ICT sector integral part of the sector and include resulting in the inability to attract adequate end users, dealers in consumer domestic and foreign direct investment. electronics, consumer associations and Furthermore, the lack of a coordinated corporate customers, as well. industry voice on business matters affecting the sector; and limited regulatory powers Some of the key factors affecting the growth of amidst convergence of services. Information a vibrant private sector-driven ICT sector, as Technology is not regulated despite forming a noted in the policy, include: (i) industry players key component of the ICT sector. considering the current investment regime (incentives and taxes) to be unattractive for The National ICT policy was developed recapitalisation and new investments in through a consultative process that started in telecommunications, broadcasting and 2003 and was completed in 2005 by the Information Technology subs-sectors; (ii) lack technical committee that was appointed by the of access to affordable capital among Zambian then Ministry of Communications and entrepreneurs in the ICT industry; especially Transport. However, the implementation of start-up capital for SMEs in the sector; and (iii) this policy has lagged “significantly behind high import tariffs and taxes imposed on ICT market expectations” argues Habeenzu (ibid.) products and services are. due to factors that include: the lack of Other factors include: the inadequate institutional leadership and capacity in the supporting infrastructure development such as Ministry of Communications; the lack of roads, telecommunications, and electric
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