Bring it on, buoyant Liquid says
BUSINESS REPORTER
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is bullish that it will maintain its place as one of the leading internet service providers despite the imminent entry of billionaire Elon Musk’s global player , Starlink, into the local digital space.
Zimbabwe’s leading internet service provider believes it has what it takes to compete on the international stage with world conglomerates.
Despite Starlink’s operation licence application to the Postal Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Liquid is not bothered by the new development.
Liquid has since reduced its prices by 45%.
Responding to questions, Liquid Intelligent Technologies’ regional chief commercial officer Central Africa Ms Lorreta Songola said the company will stick to its game of satisfying customer needs at affordable prices.
“Competition is healthy as this would be an opportunity for Zimbabweans to enjoy competitive services and pricing from all the players in the sector,” Songola said.
“We already operate alongside StarLink in our other regional markets like Zambia, and we are all operating well,” she added.
Currently, Liquid is the largest internet access provider in the country, accounting for over 80% of the market share in terms of network capacity.
Liquid, which is a business unit of Cassava Technologies, is present in more than 25 countries across Africa and in terms of infrastructure, it is the largest independent network provider in Africa and other emerging markets with an extensive fibre broadband network covering over 110 000 km in the region and over 26 000 km of this fibre network being Zimbabwe.
“We are not just a connectivity partner, as a business, we are also leveraging our network to provide cloud and cyber security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players.
Our vision is of a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind and we continue to feed into making this a reality through providing customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises, SMEs and individuals (through our Liquid Home brand) across the continent,” Songola said.
She said the 45% price reduction on the group’s popular US dollar-denominated internet bundle packages was an ongoing thing and was not necessitated by Starlink’s entry.
She said the group followed a systematic and collaborative process for developing new and innovative products and services.
The packages include Family Entertainment, Modern Family, the Wibronix and Fibronix for individuals and businesses.