On Monday (22), Movitel advocated for the adoption of policies that promote the expansion of connectivity and accelerate the implementation of 5G in Mozambique, arguing that the true value of telecommunications resources should be measured by the impact they have on people’s lives and the country’s development.
This position was presented by Mahomed Yassin, director of Movitel’s Technical Center, during a panel at the 5th National Communications Conference, under the theme “Spectrum Optimization for Universal Connectivity: 5G, Satellite, and Next-Generation Networks.”
In his remarks, Yassin argued that the resources used by the telecommunications sector should be evaluated not only by the financial return they provide to the state, but above all by their ability to connect people, communities, and businesses. “The true value of spectrum lies in how many people it connects, how many communities and businesses it enables, and how much social and economic development it can generate,” he stated.
According to Yassin, Mozambique continues to face significant challenges related to telecommunications coverage, primarily due to the country’s vast territory, low population density in various regions, and connectivity gaps that still persist. “Mozambique is a country with vast rural areas, low population density in many regions, and significant connectivity gaps,” he noted.
To address this challenge, Mahomed Yassin argued that public policies in the sector should seek to both ensure the efficient use of available resources and accelerate the expansion of connectivity. “Policy must pursue a dual objective: ensuring the efficient use of spectrum and, at the same time, accelerating universal connectivity,” he said.
The director of Movitel’s Technical Center also emphasized that the implementation of 5G requires significant investments in infrastructure, including radio stations, transmission networks, fiber optics, power systems, and compatible devices for end users. “The rollout of 5G requires substantial investments in radio infrastructure, transmission networks, fiber-optic backhaul, power systems, and devices for customers,” he said.
Despite this, he acknowledged that the financial return on these investments remains uncertain in several regions of the country, especially outside major urban centers. “At the same time, the commercial return remains uncertain in certain rural regions, specifically outside major urban centers,” he added. Given this scenario, Movitel believes that the most effective policies are those that strike a balance between financial objectives and concrete economic and social development goals. “We believe that the most effective policy is one that balances financial value with development commitments,” he argued.
During his remarks, Mahomed Yassin also highlighted the commitments made by the operator to help expand connectivity in the country, including the rollout of 5G services in all provincial capitals, the expansion of 4G coverage to rural areas, underserved areas, and industrial zones, as well as initiatives to facilitate access to devices compatible with the new technologies.
He also mentioned the company’s involvement in connectivity programs aimed at schools and other social institutions located in areas covered by next-generation networks. “These commitments represent significant investments that generate long-term economic and social benefits, which go beyond the direct financial value of the license itself,” he concluded.
The panel included Victor Guerra, vice president of AMPETIC; Gil Zhang of Huawei Mozambique; Nércio Mucavele of Vodacom Mozambique; Mulweli Rebelo of the Regent Square Group; Roberto Guirruta of Tmcel; Edmundo Alberto, director of Radiocommunications and Inspection at INCM; Mahomed Yassin, director of Movitel’s Technical Center; Kezias Mwalei, director of Radiocommunications at the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), and Grant Chivandire, director of Technology at Nokia for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The 5th National Communications Conference concludes this Tuesday (23), following two days of discussions organized by the Mozambican Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM). The event brings together policymakers, regulators, telecommunications operators, academics, investors, cooperation partners, and national and international experts to discuss the main challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in the country. Key topics under discussion include the expansion of connectivity, the development of digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, emergency communications, 5G, satellite services, and future generations of telecommunications.
Source: Diário Económico
