NetOne needs $600 million to complete its network expansion. Is the figure justified when compared with its current performance? In this episode which was recorded “On The Go”, we discuss this topic as well as other trending issues in local technology like the increase in the USF contributions, unlimited internet from Powertel and the well-received offer for free education extended to STEM students.
We look forward to your comments on all these issues, from STEM to NetOne. Please share your thoughts in the section below or on social media. Do sign up to be part of our WhatsApp groups if you want to be in the discussions being held by other listeners and readers.
Now that one potential cash cow has become family, they have to compensate somehow! (Started as a joke but not sure anymore)
I think the right question on STEM is what are the challenges the current STEM graduates facing when trying to use their knowledge and skills in creating STEM products & services. the main problem for me is the academically oriented educational system. since zimbabwe is growing from a low base & faced with challenges of high unemployment we need to reorient our educational system to focus on entrepreneurship development. the focus on STEM is good but that alone wont solve the problems. is there emperical evidence to prove that there is a shortage of stem graduates. i think the problem has to do with the facts we have STEM graduates but they are not creating products and services for some reason, many unemployed STEM graduates.
this is where i think they should use those
1. startup competitions in every school. university and college culminating in regional & national competitions the competitions should include mentorship, training and interactions with potential funders
2. entrepreneurship training in all educational institutions
3. establishing startup incubators in every district in partnership with private sector providing internet access, training, subsidized office space and networking with mentors & potential funders for entrepreneurs who have working prototypes not ideas of STEM based products and services
4. fastrack the digitalization project, increase internet penetration through infrastructure investments in fibre/wifi e.t.c
zimbabwe has al the ingredients to be leaders in the digital economy in africa but that i mean a highly literate population. so what is just needed is to increase the number of digital citizens by decreasing the cost of internet access and increasing access to internet. Maybe something along the free wifi project isizwe in pretoria by the local city council there. the moment you have more digital citizens then the stem graduates have a market for digital products