{"id":2025,"date":"2013-02-04T15:47:07","date_gmt":"2013-02-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/php7.innershed.com:10000\/virtual-server\/link.cgi\/212.71.245.84\/http:\/\/www.connectafrica\/?p=2025"},"modified":"2013-03-05T15:54:03","modified_gmt":"2013-03-05T15:54:03","slug":"policy-briefing-delivering-strategic-rural-coverage-across-zambia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.connectafrica.net\/?p=2025","title":{"rendered":"Policy Briefing: Delivering Strategic Rural Coverage Across Zambia"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Connect<\/a>

Connect Africa Managing Director Dion Jerling with stakeholders in Lusaka<\/p><\/div>\n

Leading the way:<\/strong>\u00a0Partnering with Government, Mobile Network Operators and Traditional Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the past 10 years, Connect Africa has developed a unique ICT model for rural development that can facilitate government\u2019s socio-economic objectives \u2013 quickly.<\/p>\n

Using rapidly deployed low-power, low-cost out-door cellular base stations, Connect Africa Logistics Ltd (CALL) presents an effective and sustainable cellular coverage solution for remote rural communities that provides them with access to communication, in turn stimulating and supporting rural development.<\/p>\n

With a focus on connecting up Zambia\u2019s Chief\u2019s Palaces and rural communities, CALL has conducted extensive research and development in rural market demand. CALL recently journeyed to meet Traditional Chiefs and rural communities, documenting and exploring the benefits and drawbacks where \u201ctechnology meets culture\u201d during the \u201cPalace Expedition\u201d here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For the last three years CALL has been perfecting a business model that makes previously unprofitable rural coverage profitable and possible, with leading US-based communications developer Vanu Inc.\u00a0 Using Vanu\u2019s innovative Low-Power, Low-Tower technology, CALL is able to offer Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) a rapid deployment, zero capex, zero opex revenue-share solution for rural coverage.<\/p>\n

CALL\u2019s \u201cinnovative and disruptive\u201d business model incorporates community hubs at each tower location, rolling-out multiple public and private sector services directly to the people. These hubs, or Community Service Centres, will facilitate delivery of key ICT-driven education, health, agriculture and other business-related messages, and will be managed and maintained in the heart of the community.<\/p>\n

CALL\u2019s solution enables rapid and effective use of the Universal Service Fund \u2013 providing rural GSM infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of traditional GSM infrastructure networks – and results in multiple-wins for all stakeholders:<\/p>\n