PAPER TO THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY ON

THE AFRICAN UNIVERSITY DAY

10 NOVEMBER 2000

 

 

 

PREAMBLE

 

Introducing CopperNET Solutions, Zambia's first Total Information Technology Company.  CopperNET has been in operation for one year but has over 20 years experience in the design, implementation and operation of IT systems.  CopperNET was ZCCM's (Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines) IT wing.  CopperNET is now owned and run by Zambia's leading IT specialists and offers an exciting range of products and services.  This paper looks only at the Internet Services.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

In July 1994, the Telecommunication Act was passed by the Zambian Parliament.  The act opened the Communication sector for private sector participation in the provision of Communication services.

 

Zambia Post and Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) ceased to exist as a single unit and was divided into Zambia Telecommunication Company (ZAMTel) and Zambia Postal services (ZAMPost).  The Act also established the Communication Authority of Zambia (CAZ) whose purpose include regulatory and monitoring the provision and operation of communication services in the country and overseeing the coexistence of the various entities in the sector.

 

 

 

LICENCE HOLDERS

 

Name                                                  Licence

 

Zamtel                                                  Basic voice service, cellular,

                                                            paging

                                                            Internet

 

Zamnet                                                 Internet

 

CopperNET                                         Internet & Basic Voice

 

Africa Online                                        Internet (not operational)

 

Telecel                                                 Cellular

 

Zamcell                                                Cellular

 

Microlink                                              Internet (not operational)

 

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

 

CopperNET uses two VSAT stations for Internet connection to the Internet Backbone.  There is a total of 512kbps downstream and 128kbps downstream.  This will soon be upgraded to lmeg downstream and 512kbps upstream.  The POP (Point of Presence) are at Kitwe and Lusaka.  Plans are underway to open another POP at Livingstone . The Total number of dial-in lines stands at 120 between the two POPS.  Plan are there to expand that to 200 before the end of year.  The expansion is very much limited by the availability of ports on the ZamTel end.

 

Zamnet uses same technology to link to the Internet Backbone.

 

It should be noted that the total ZamTel line capacity country wide stands at a planned 110,000 circuits

 

SERVICES OFFERED BY INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISPS)

 

There are an.estimated 6,000 Internet users in Zambia served by the five Internet Service providers, namely CopperNET, Zamnet, Zamtel, Africa Online and MicroLink

 

CopperNET have over 3000 customers and Zamnet at 3000 user whilst Zamtel have less 1000 users.  Africa Online and MicroLink are not operational.

 

 

CopperNET

 

Coppernet offers a unlimited access time to all its Internet Service.

 

The services are:

Dial-up access                            Internet access using a PC [or any other Network capable device (NCD)] Under this service are accounts ranging from e-mail only, e-mail & browsing designed to suit the customer taste.

 

Direct LAN access                     This service is available to subscribers in buildings that are network ready.  Clients with an NCD can link directly into the local area network and enjoy ultra fast access.

Accounts here have full access

 

CopperNET icafe                       This is our walk-in surfing and electronic mail service available to the public.  It is suited to anyone who does yet have a PC or an NCD but would like to benefit.  Accounts are full access.

Web authoring and hosting          We can design web pages and host you, and also advise on how your site can get maximum visibility on the Internet.

 

Wireless Access                          CopperNET has built a wireless back-bone on the Copperbeit to service Corporate and individuals. This in short means one can get on the Internet without a need of phone line.  This is high mobility setup. Customer can buy into the back-bone . Accounts available range from Gold-32 (for 32kbps) to Gold-128 (for 128kbps).

                                                   Accounts above Gold-128 can also be ordered)

 

Virtual Private Network              Corporate clients can now link the midlands to the Copperbeit using

                                                   Virtual Private Network through CopperNET's back-bone.

 

 

ZAMNET

 

Zamnet offers some similar services except for Wireless backbone and VPN Services . The services at ZAMNET are hourly rated and accounts are not tailored to customers.

 

 

FUTURE OF INTERNET IN ZAMBIA

 

In line with international trends Zambia is adopting mobile computing despite the slow rate.  Times have changes -businesses need to be in contact with their employees anytime, anywhere.  The future of Internet in Zambia is in mobile computing.  The cost of a PC remains a BIG barrier in consumers getting on the Net.  Mobile devices are an alternative.  The other limiting factor is that of dial-up infrastructure that stand at a low 110,000 dial-lines country wide.

 

 

 

" If you can't get it on the Internet, then it's not worth looking for........

 

Patrick Mugabeni.. (General Manager & Chief Technology OfficerCopperNET Solutions)