Click Here & Upgrade PDF Complete Expanded Features Unlimited Pages Documents 2.5 TELECOMMUNICATIONS & SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE The major telecommunications infrastructure carrier for the country is ZAMTEL, covering most parts of the country using various technologies. However, over time the infrastructure capacity has deteriorated due to technology changes and system inadequacies. In 1994, Parliament enacted the Telecommunications Act, which resulted in the restructuring of the telecommunications sub-sector by separating the posts and telecommunications functions in the Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (PTC) into two commercial entities: ZAMTEL and ZAMPOST. In addition, this included the removal of regulatory functions from PTC; thus resulting in the establishment of an autonomous regulatory agency, the Communications Authority of Zambia (CAZ). In addition, the Radio Communications Act of 1994 gives CAZ the responsibility of administering the utilisation of the Radio Frequency Spectrum, an important component in the effective performance of the telecommunications and broadcasting sub-sectors. The liberalisation opened up the market to other competitors in almost all segments of the entire telecommunications industry apart from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the International Gateway. ZAMTEL maintains monopoly in the PSTN market while efforts have been made to liberalise the International Gateway component. Public Switched Telephone Network ZAMTEL, a 100% state-owned company is the only provider allowed to operate a public switched telephone network (PSTN) in Zambia. It provides a wide range of services including local, national, long distance, and international fixed telephone services, domestic satellite telephone (Domsat), mobile telephone, and leased line services. ZAMTEL Internet service was commissioned in May 1997. The transmission network is predominantly analogue and is mainly based on microwave technology. A number of microwave trunk routes carry traffic to major provincial centres. However, a digital microwave network linking Lusaka to Copperbelt province, Eastern province and Siavonga has been commissioned. A digital backbone linking Lusaka and Livingstone is being installed as part of ZAMTEL s network upgrade. Traffic to medium sized towns and rural areas is carried via microwave links that also provide interconnection with neighbouring countries where applicable. The installed capacity of fixed telephone lines is about 90,000 but the demand has over time exceeded the available capacity resulting in one of the lowest teledensity in Southern Africa of only 0.9 per 100 people (9 people per 1000 with telephone service) across the country. Satellite Networks ZAMTEL operates three earth stations forming the International Gateway for links to USA, 8