Liquid extends its fibre network in Botswana and here’s why that’s great news for Zimbabwe

The fibre game is not for the faint of heart. Since fibre optic cables go under the ground to create a physical connection between places, getting the authority to dig up is a challenge in itself. The costs involved are also prohibitive, both to lay the cables and to maintain the network.

This is why you won’t find fibre access in most of Zimbabwe even in 2024. Even in Harare, the capital, most neighbourhoods still don’t have access to fibre.

That’s despite fibre being the most reliable of internet connections. Nothing beats a physical connection – but farmers and city workers (who should know where cables are laid) have been doing their best to level the playing field.

However we should remember that even when we don’t have fibre connections at our places of residence, we still rely on fibre for our internet needs, unless we are connected via satellite. Mobile operators like Econet rely on fibre networks to deliver mobile broadband.

That’s why that time when Liquid’s cables that go to South Africa via Beitbridge were compromised, every single mobile user felt it.

So, this is why we get excited when work is done to improve the fibre networks that connect Zimbabwe to the interwebs. You will see why the Botswana upgrade is good news for Zimbabwe.

Liquid expands Botswana fibre network

Liquid Intelligent Technologies has completed a 730-kilometer fibre network extension in Botswana, connecting Ramatlabama to Ramokgwebana. I don’t expect you to know whereabouts those towns are, so here:

For Botswana, it’s the first direct connection along the A1 road, linking towns like Francistown, Mahalapye, and Palapye.

This will enhances high-speed connectivity for both urban and rural areas, strengthen Botswana’s economic hubs, and integrate with the One Africa Digital Network, providing multi-terabit capacity and cross-border digital infrastructure across Africa.

The expansion supports local ISPs, empowering them to reach more retail customers, and contributes to Botswana’s digital transformation and employment opportunities. Hence why we talked about the likes of Econet in Zimbabwe relying on fibre networks so that we are all on the same page.

“In addition to providing enhanced services to local users, the fibre expansion project extends beyond national boundaries, becoming a connector of countries by connecting with the fibre networks in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan to provide a robust, cross-border digital infrastructure.”

The African connection

That last quote is what’s exciting. If you look back at the map of where Ramatlabama and Ramokgwebana are, you will find that it provides a way to go from Zimbabwe to South Africa. That’s an alternate route to Beitbridge.

Remember, a connection to South Africa is important because that country has access to the ocean and the undersea cables that connect Africa to the world that reach its shores.

Ramokgwebana is around 13km from Plumtree border post, so it’s essentially in Zimbabwe. Ramatlabama is a border town, right at the border with South Africa. So, going from Ramatlabama to Ramokgwebana is essentially going from Zimbabwe to South Africa.

Expanding Liquid Intelligent Technologies’ fibre network improves redundancy and connectivity for Zimbabwe. By linking Botswana’s fibre network to existing networks in Zimbabwe and other countries, the infrastructure creates an additional route for data traffic.

This redundancy is crucial for minimising service disruptions caused by issues like cable damage or network congestion.

As Zimbabweans we should be excited about this because it means:

1. Enhanced Connectivity: Zimbabwe gains an additional pathway to access high-speed internet, improving the quality and reliability of connectivity.
2. Cross-Border Resilience: The expanded network provides alternative routes for data transmission. If a primary connection in Zimbabwe faces disruptions (if the farmer strikes again), traffic can be rerouted through Botswana’s network, ensuring uninterrupted service.
3. Regional Integration: Connecting Botswana’s fibre infrastructure with Zimbabwe and other countries strengthens regional digital infrastructure, fostering collaboration and trade within Africa.

Also read:

• Liquid partners Eutelsat to take on Starlink in satellite internet race, let’s talk about it
• Dark Fibre launches network that should help lower internet costs whilst improving speed and reliability in Zimbabwe
• Dandemutande officially launched their $8m fibre network and gave a few more details about it