Source: Potraz holds first ever AGM – DailyNews Live
BUSINESS WRITER 14 December 2017
HARARE – The Postal and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz)
yesterday made history by holding its first ever annual general meeting
since 2001 when it was established.
Potraz chairperson Ozias Bvute said the regulator should be ready to
embrace new trends in the telecommunications industry.
“Moving forward, it appears likely that we will be seeing a transformation
in the way the telecommunications industry will continue to grow and
provide consumers with relevant, dependable services, thus network quality
and diversification of services will be paramount in keeping competition
fresh,” he said.
Bvute further noted that consumers are demanding more data, great content
and a more satisfying user experience.
As such, he challenged operators to change course and expand their
offerings in order to evolve in the dynamic market.
“As service providers consider how and when to upgrade their
infrastructure and networks to meet this demand, this is where regulatory
frameworks such as the Infrastructure sharing regulatory framework play a
key role.
“The framework allows service providers to focus on innovation which, in
the information age, is the only answer to new and sustainable revenue
streams and for consumers, lower costs,” he added.
Potraz recorded $22,7 million revenues in the nine months to September
2017 against a projected revenue of $20 million.
The regulator, which held its first ever annual general meeting yesterday
since it was established nearly two decades ago, also recorded $11,5
million revenues from the Universal Services Fund up from a budgeted $10,7
million.
“It has indeed been a challenging year, but delivering a clean set of
results is what our shareholder wants and we should strive to maintain
this year in year out,” Bvute said.
This is the first time that the authority has had a clean set of accounts
and the appointment of Gift Machengete as the director general last year
seems to be paying dividends.
Potraz was established to ensure the provision of the sufficient domestic
and international telecommunication and postal services throughout
Zimbabwe on such terms and conditions as the authority may see fit.
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