Powertel Upgrades Optic Fibre Cable Service

POWERTEL Communications, a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, has upgraded its optic fibre cable service from the Synchronous Transport Module Four (STM4) to the higher graded STM 16 (STM16).

Fibre optic cables are a special communication module that is used to carry data and information and is widely used by Internet service providers and in telecommunication systems.

The STM 16 is a higher version of the former system used by PowerTel.

Having established good business links with the East, the company seized the opportunity to acquire the modern equipment to enhance its services and overcome the shortfalls obtained by using the STM 4 to deliver its services.

In an interview with The Herald Business, company Marketing Manager Mr Adonai Mushosho said the new system was much faster as it is modern and also has spare parts that are not difficult to obtain.

"The new system from China has a much bigger capacity therefore it has much more speed than its predecessor.

"It is four times bigger than the STM 4 and is full of back-up material and equipment."

Mr Mushosho highlighted that PowerTel Communications was doing its best to overcome future disturbances to customers that were encountered last year.

"Our services were put to test last year as prices were changing because of the prevailing volatile economic environment in the country," said Mr Mushosho.

The use of the STM16 means that business transacted through the company's bandwidth facility would be faster and would also have an international gateway.

In an environment where the local currency has lost value, the communications company found it hard to deliver exceptional service as it was expensive to buy spare parts due to escalating prices.

The French manufactured STM 4 was fast becoming outdated without modern facilities in its functions and was fast becoming a threat to customers and PowerTel, as spare parts were no longer accessible since the original manufacturers were no longer producing the system.

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