Potraz raises red flag over impact of power cuts on telcos

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has raised concerns that escalating power outages could significantly disrupt the country’s telecommunications industry, worsening existing energy challenges and negatively impacting service delivery. 

Zimbabwe is currently grappling with aggressive load shedding, in some parts of the country lasting up to 16 hours daily, primarily due to the El Niño-induced drought, which has caused critically low water levels at Kariba Dam, the country’s primary source of hydroelectric power.

In its Postal and Telecommunications Sector Abridged Performance Report for the second quarter of 2024, Potraz said although telecom companies are actively investing in high-speed broadband infrastructure, persistent grid power shortages are undermining the efforts.

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