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).

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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

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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 power skilled to increase the demand for ICT services; as

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human resources to spearhead the (ZICTA) as an Economic Regulator with implementation process; and the lack of power to regulate tariffs for "dominant" coordination in the planning and budgeting players and agreements on interconnections. process and hence lack of funding to implement programmes. The Act further empowers ZICTA in protecting the rights and interests of The Information and Communication consumers, in regulating the provision of Technologies Act (2009) electronic communication services and products, and in monitoring the performance The Information and Communication of the sector, including the levels of investment Technologies (ICTs) of 2009 repealed the and the availability, quality, cost and standards Telecommunications Act (1994) and the Radio of the electronic communication services. Communications Act (1994). The Act provides ZICTA is further tasked to promote and for the regulation of the Information and facilitate the provision, in urban and rural areas, Communication Technology sector as well as of such information and electronic provides mechanisms of facilitating access to communication services that meets all Information and Communication reasonable demand. Licensing to operate Technologies by all Zambians. The ICT Act electronic communications networks or for the created Zambia Information and provision of electronic communications Communication Technology Authority services has also been articulated in the Act and multi‐service). According to Lewis and is also a mandate for the Authority. Abrahams (2013: 324), the regime distinguishes between infrastructure and services at the top In all, the licensing regime in Zambia primarily level, but with some vertical categorisation at a a converged one (horizontal or unified or lower level.

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Internet Technology in Zambia The number of internet subscriptions increased from 8,248 in 2001 to 92, 642 at the Internet Use in Zambia end of 2012, (ZICTA, 2013). Table 13.1 shows Generally, there is very low internet the number of internet subscribers from 2001 penetration in the country but this is fast to 2012. According to the Internet World changing as more and efforts are being Statistics (IWS), penetration at the end of 2014 implemented by the state, and private stood at 18 percent of the population commercial and non-commercial translating to 2,711,928 users (ISW, 2015). organisations. For people living in rural areas, However, a BuddeComm Research report there still remains very limited or no access to (2015) estimated that by the end of 2015, the the internet at all largely due to the lack of internet penetration would be about 23 percent adequate telecommunication infrastructure in of the population. rural areas needed for the internet connection. Table 13.1 - Internet Subscribers in Zambia Year Total Subscribers Per 100 Inhabitants Growth Rate (%)

2001 8,248 0.082 2002 11,647 0.112 41 2003 12,000 0.111 3 2004 16,288 0.147 36 2005 10,882 0.095 -33 2006 11,996 0.104 10 2007 17,946 0.153 49.6 2008 18,289 0.152 1.9 2009 17,754 0.137 -2.9 2010 34,436 0.265 93.9 2011 49,867 0.38 44.81 2012 92,642 0.71 85.78 (Source: ZICTA, 2013) The 2015 ICT Survey Report (2015), a study Communications and the Central Statistical on access and usage of information and Office revealed that the proportion of communication technology by households and households that access internet services individuals in Zambia conducted by ZICTA, increased from 5.8 percent recorded in 2013 to the Ministry of Transport and 12.7 percent in 2015 (ZICTA, 2015). The same survey interestingly showed that Internet usage (ibid.). is higher among the younger population. For instance, over 70 percent users were below the The internet sub-sector is understood to be the age of 35 years of age, and just about 41.3 most competitive in the telecommunications percent users are below 24 years, as opposed to services industry in Zambia (Habeenzu, 2010: only 7.1 percent above the age of 50 years 16). For instance, by the 209

end of 2008, there were nineteen (19) authorised Internet Service Providers (ISPs), The high cost of bandwidth is seen as the however only fourteen (14) were operational major factor affecting the growth of the then (Table 1.2). The competition is so high internet in Zambia, (Habeenzu, 2010: 25). that there is no single dominant player. Available data shows that the demand for broadband internet has increased over the By 2015, the list of ISPs changed considerably years. However, despite increased demand, the due to competition, mergers and regulatory majority of Zambians are still unable to make decisions. Table 1.3 shows the list of ISPs at individual subscriptions. This is still due to the the close of 2015. Additionally, there were five high cost that is caused by the high cost of infrastructure (ibid.). registered Public Carrier of Carrier companies by the same period. These are companies that Mobile Internet are allowed to sell bandwidth to other entities as a commercial business. According to The use of mobile internet has grown ZICTA, this license lasts for 15 years. The five significantly over the past decade as mobile are: CEC Liquid Telecom, eastern, central and telephony as increased. Mobile internet in southern Africa’s leading independent data, Zambia is provided by the mobile cellular voice and IP provider; ZESCO Limited, service providers. The regulator, ZICTA, has Zambia's largest power utility company; three licensed providers, these are: Zamtel Zamtel, the parastatal telecommunications Mobile, previously called Cell Z, the mobile company; as well as the multinational mobile wing of the parastatal, Zamtel, the oldest player telecommunications corporations, MTN and in the telephony sector; MTN Zambia, and Airtel. Airtel Zambia, multinational corporations owned respectively by the MTN Group of Broadband internet demand has increased due South Africa and Bharti Airtel Corporation of to the continued unrolling of internet India. According to ZICTA (2013), the technologies such as WiMAX, GPRS, EDGE, number of mobile subscribers had increased 3G as well as optic-fibre networks. Initially, from 49, 957 and a nationwide penetration of only two providers were 4G internet, namely 0.505 percent in the year 2000, to 10,542,676 iConnect via WiMAX (since 2012). By 2014, and a penetration of close to 80 percent at the MTN led the way in providing 4G on mobile end of 2012. The mobile sector is dominated LTE. Later that year, Airtel followed. by Airtel and MTN, 210

Table 13.2 – Internet Service Providers and Market Share Internet Service Provider Subscription Market Share 1. iConnect 4352 20.8% 2. Coppernet Solutions 566 0.027% 3. MTN Business 201 0.0096% 4. Postlink 73 0.0034% 5. Pronet Africa 265 0.012% 6. Quick Edge 138 0.0066 7. Real Time 230 0.011% 8. Microlink 58 0.0027 9. Zamnet 2134 10.2% 10. Zamtel 12693 60.8% 11. Preworx* 80 0.0038 12. Aplus* 11 - 13. Internet Technologies* 14 - 14. BringCom 60 0.0028% TOTAL 20,875 100 * Denotes an Internet service Provider (ISP) that became operational in 2011 (Source: ZICTA, 2012) who share various dominant positions in facilities in Zambia is high, with more than different aspects of the mobile sector and have 70% of the total adult population having access competed consistently for market share. to a cell phone, landline or public phone in Zamtel Limited adds to this competition as the 2010 (FinScope, 2010). The 2015 ICT Survey, third player in the mobile sector. At the end of in this regard, reported that around 64.5 2011, the mobile sector was dominated by percent of the households in Zambia have Airtel with 45 percent of the market share, and access to a mobile phone and that about 51 MTN with 39 percent, and Zamtel with 16 percent of people aged above 10 years in percent. However, by the close of 2015, MTN Zambia are active users of mobile phones. had 48 percent, while Airtel percent, and Zamtel had 15percent. It was expected by As mobile telephony has evolved, mobile data some analysts that Airtel would recoup the top platforms have also become more advanced. slot by the end of 2015, but official figures had All mobile service providers are currently able not been released by the time of publication. to provide GPRS, EDGE and 3G data services across their networks. Airtel Zambia had until The 2015 ICT Survey Report revealed that the 2014 been the only provider that had an most preferred networks among those advanced version of third generation mobile individuals that have subscribed to more than internet network (3G) communication called one network were MTN and Airtel. These were HSPA+ or commonly referred to as 3.75G. In represented by 47 percent and 44 percent January 2014, MTN Zambia became the first respectively. Factors such as friends and family network to provide 4G internet when the being on the same network, quality of services company launched 4G on Long Term and cost determined the choice of the network Evolution (LTE). Airtel implemented its 4G (ZICTA, 2015). networks by the end of the same year. According to the FinScope Top Line Findings of 2009, overall access to communication Mobile Internet has increased as a result of connection; (b) the increased availability factors such as: (a) relative ease of access and

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of internet enable handsets on the market; (c) and cost of delivery. As a result, Zambian relative affordability, with the multiplicity of providers have sought ways to join the fibre data packages available for every type of user; race in order to access better connection. Optic and (d) the mobility factor which has enabled fibre promises improved internet access users access internet services almost anywhere, speeds, as well as superior uplink and downlink or at least in places where fixed providers are capabilities. Additionally, this technology has currently not able to. proved to have lower levels of decay or latency in comparison to satellite and as a result of the The 2015 ICT Survey also noted that the better speeds, users can enjoy better services majority (71 percent) of Zambian households such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), the with access to internet services, do so using ability to conduct video conferencing and e- mobile broadband services, particularly by way learning efficiently, and easy multimedia file or of a mobile phone. According to the survey, content uploads, streams and downloads. only two percent of households access the internet through fixed wireless broadband An example of the fibre roll-out is when in services (ZICTA, 2015). 2009, ZAMNET announced that it had successfully set up an Internet gateway into While acknowledging these factors, mobile Europe using end-to-end optic fibre, becoming internet is however often criticized for being the first such connection in Zambia. The too congested at it uses the same infrastructure connection was set up as a joint venture with meant for voice communication, which is the ZESCO, Zambia’s Electricity supply company, primary business for the providers. and Telecom Namibia, with which ZESCO has a cross boarder optics fibre interconnection at Optic Fibre Internet Katimamulilo. This link connects through to the South Atlantic 3/West Africa Submarine Cable The use of optic fibre connections has greatly (SAT-3) undersea cable that runs on the west improved the quality of internet in Zambia. coast of Africa into Europe, (Zamnet, 2009). Previously, all internet service providers used satellite technologies as the only way to Some of the other international access points connect to the internet. However, this include the links of both Zamtel and Liquid technology has two main challenges: latency

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Telecom, via their point of interconnections (WACS ‐ with a design capacity of 5,12 Tbit/s); with Telecom Namibia at Shesheke, and as well as to the South Atlantic 3 / West Africa Southern Africa terrestrial fibre network Submarine Cable (SAT‐3, with a capacity of respectively, to the West Africa Cable System 340 Gbit/s). Another important link is that of Liquid Telecom and ISP MicroLink to the network but must instead provide internet Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System users with an open network. Net Neutrality (EASSy) with a capacity of 2,72 Tbit/s, Lewis advocates call for an open internet. and Abrahams (2013: 327) Opponents to Facebook’s Internet.org have Internet.org criticized project for going against the principles of net Neutrality. This criticism In July, 2014, Zambia, through Airtel Zambia, stems from the fact that in countries where the became the first country to launch the network carrier has a select number of sites Internet.org application. Internet.org is an being free, the internet, to the many people that initiative by social networking giant Facebook can’t afford to pay for access to the rest of the meant to bring affordable internet access to web content, will be perceived as only being everyone in the world. With the Internet.org those few sites. In the case of Zambia, Airtel’s application, subscribers with Airtel sim cards list of applications goes against the idea of an do not have to pay any data charges for open internet because other sites that people accessing a select number of websites or may find equally beneficial or may provide applications. Through the application, various alternative information are not treated equally. important internet services are available to all Other critics say having limited access to the Zambians for free (through the Airtel internet may be likened to infringing on network). It is hoped that in doing so, freedom of the press as some content is subject awareness on the usefulness of the Internet will to charges, which in some cases may be too be increased. high. Further criticism arises from arguments on who or what criteria determines what By using the Internet.org website or by application or websites make the list. downloading either the Internet.org app or the Facebook for Android app on an Airtel Proponents on the other hand have hailed the enabled sim card, users are able to access the project as an avenue of introducing new users free facilities. The free sites are: Facebook, to the internet, including the previously Facebook Messenger, Google Search, unserved and the many that can’t cannot afford Wikipedia and Unicef’s Facts for Life. Others to pay for regular access. This is seen therefore are weather service AccuWeather, eZeLibrary as a way of helping achieve universal access. for government information, job search applications Kokoliko and Go Zambia Jobs, as Internet and the Media in Zambia well as MAMA, a maternal health app and WRAPP, the Women’s Rights App. Airtel itself This use of the internet by journalists in their completes the list. work is seen to have numerous potential benefits relating to news gathering, production The project has been controversial world over. and dissemination. Flew (2002: 99) sums up the Much of the concern centres around the theme benefits of digital technologies into three of net neutrality. Net Neutrality is the principle important points: a reduction of costs of that the internet must be kept open and storing and distributing information; the accessible equally. The term was developed by development of an online presence enabling Tim Wu, who argues that a public information cross promotion between the organization’s network is most useful if all its content, sites, various outlets such as print and television and and platforms are treated equally (Wu, 2008). lastly; the shift from mass distribution models The understanding is that for example, Internet to systems that are tailored to meet desires and service providers must not restrict or block needs of individual customers. against any content that goes over their Furthermore, research has shown that the journalistic skills, and the relationship between internet in journalism has brought about a journalists and the audience, as well as number of patterns. Firstly, the internet is seen journalistic ethics (ibid.). It is, therefore, not a as a publishing medium. This emphasises the surprise that the media in Zambia have fact that it has changed the communication embraced the use of the internet. business and has raised questions about the role and future of the media house as we have In a study to investigate the level of use, scope known it (Heinonen, 1999: 41). Secondly, the and impact of the internet on journalism in internet empowers journalists in their work, Zambia and to help gain a knowledge base on such that it has given the journalist new tools the available internet facilities for journalists, and improved means of news gathering. Mambwe (2013) concluded that the internet Thirdly, the internet has raised the need to has had a positive impact on the practice of understand its effect on the journalists’ journalism and that it has influenced journalists professional role. This includes looking at to engage more with news consumers.

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However, it was also discovered that further Traditional news media now also have an active positive impact has been inhibited by factors online presence with their own websites. Radio such as the lack of access to internet facilities; stations such as Q-FM and Radio Phoenix have the cost of accessing the internet and other gone a step further by enabling people to listen communication technologies, and the lack of to their broadcast online. Apart from websites, training on how to use new communication the media in Zambia have embraced the technologies emergence of Social Media platforms to reach out to their audiences. Social media is used as an umbrella term for all sites on the internet The spread of social media and other that integrate technology, social interaction and online media in Zambia user generated content. According to Mayfield (2008: 5), social media is best understood as a The development of the internet in Zambia has group of new kinds of online media, which seen a rise in media presence on line. A number share most or all five characteristics, which are: of on-line publication have emerged. However, participation, openness, conversation; community; most of them are hosted in other countries and and connectedness. are in essence merely news blogs rather than full websites. All of them have the Examples of social media include social characteristic feature that enables readers to networking websites such as Facebook, micro- comment and debate the various stories, as blogging tools, as well as content communities well as share them. The on-line newspapers such as YouTube. For an example of the include: Lusaka Times, The Zambian Watchdog, popularity of social media, take Facebook, Zambia Reports, The Lusaka Star, Lusaka Voice, whose usage in Zambia continues to increase, Kitwe Times, The Zambian Eye and The Zambian, even though among others.

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the number of users is still small. The Internet “The Zambian blogosphere is growing. Two World Statistics (2015) estimates the number years ago one would struggle to find a regularly of subscribers to be about 1.3 million, which is updated blog covering any meaningful issues. I about 8.6 percent of the population. Media am happy to report that is now changing. New houses have taken advantage of the Facebook blogs are being created at pace faster than I can count. And the good news is that what were phenomenon to reach out to their audiences personal entries are now being transformed into and to provide a platform for news, meaningful blogs that seek to encourage dialogue information and interaction. Willems (2012) and trading of ideas” concluded that websites are more and more being replaced with Facebook profiles or fan Despite the fact that the internet is less likely pages which are undoubtedly more manageable to face censorship and control as mainstream and cheaper alternatives to costly, high- media are, the online media fraternity in maintenance websites. Zambia have experienced some form of restrictions. For example, some Zambian blogs Aside social networks, the blogging such as the Zambian Watchdog and Zambia community in Zambia has continued to grow. Reports have been threatened with closures Bukowa (2012) argues that the use of blogs and and arrests, and as is the case of the Watchdog, online newspapers is building momentum in have even been blocked by state functionaries. Zambia. Many Zambians have established Additionally, it is possible that by way of blogs and/or are keen followers of these media market pressure, one can argue that such blogs channels from their phones, offices, schools or may not gain the much needed revenue from Internet cafes. advertisers who would not want to be on the bad side of the state and may decide to avoid There is however a steady growth of Internet advertising on these sites. The major reason media in Zambia as Brenda Zulu in interviews given by the state is its concern over what has with the Global Voices (2012) explains: been termed as the lack of journalistic

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ethics on most of the online platforms. As has been indicated, mobile phone usage in Zambia has grown at a very fast pace. Access Similar threats were extended for most parts of to mobile technologies has spread faster than 2013 to ban social networking site Facebook in any other form and most of these services are Zambia by the government of President available to users at relatively affordable rates. Michael Sata. However, there was a change in Internet-enabled mobile phones have become course when on 17th January, 2014, the more widespread in Zambia after mobile president and a few of the prominent figures in phone providers introduced BlackBerry and his government opened Facebook pages. The smartphone packages in 2008. Theses often president indicated in his first post that the include free internet access to certain websites page was to be a platform to “network and (including Facebook, Twitter and MySpace) connect” with the people. This gave testament and/or monthly data bundles (Willems, 2012). to the popularity and the resilience of social By using mobile internet, news and media in the country. information can reach where newspapers and television are unable.

The Future of internet technology pace considering that Zambia was one of the first countries on the continent to have The story of the internet in Zambia is now connection to the internet. Some of the just over 20 years old. In these two decades, challenges highlighted in this chapter such as tremendous progress in ensuring that every the cost of connection and investment, and citizen has access to it has been made. This the lack of infrastructure success has however taken place at a slow 216

needed to support expansion, have largely with training and support for the police in an contributed to the slow pace on effort to strengthen their capacity to fight implementation. cybercrimes. ZICTA has also been setting up Multi-purpose Community Telecentres Digital technologies such as the internet are a (MCTs) in various rural posts in Zambia to part of everyday society today. They are ease the lack of basic ICT services in those inevitable and must be seen as a necessity, parts of the country and achieve universal especially for the news media. It is envisaged access. These MCTs will enable people in the that these benefits of the internet for the rural areas to access basic ICTs and media will be appreciated once concerted telecommunications service and will provide efforts are in place to have connection training opportunities for the local people. available in all media houses. Going forward, Additionally, Points of Presence (PoPs) for the following matters remain crucial to the internet connectivity in un-served and development of the internet in Zambia and underserved parts of Zambia are also being need urgent attention: installed. Both initiatives are part of the ZICTA’s Universal Access Programme a. Ensuring child online protection (UAP). b. Improving cyber security c. Guaranteeing Universal Access for all The Authority has also been implementing the d. Reducing the cost of access and “Connecting Learning Institutions” project investment in the sector which promotes access to ICTs for Zambian e. Harmonizing policy and legislation to learning institutions. This project has been match international standards useful in complementing the Zambian government’s objective of introducing ICTs Additionally, it remains to be seen how the at all levels of the Zambian Educational state and media fraternity will tackle the system. A few primary, secondary and tertiary ethical concerns that have emerged as a result institutions have benefited already. The of the available online platforms, as well as project also included providing optic fibre what the new wave of social media connection to the country’s public engagement by the state will bring about. universities under the Zambia Research and Education Network (ZAMREN). The Regulator, ZICTA, has been making headways in tackling some these issues. For Despite the pressing issues listed, the future example, in 2014, ZICTA helped the Zambia of the internet in Zambia is bright Police Service in establishing the first ever considering some of the changes that are cybercrime fighting lab at the police being implemented, such as the continued headquarters in Lusaka. This project came implementation of the ICT policy, the continued enforcement of existing ICT involvement of relevant stakeholders, related legislation, and the introduction of Zambia is poised to make faster progress in new policies to deal with emerging challenges the coming decade and position itself into an in the sector. With these in place and the information and knowledge-based society.

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