Information Technology Infrastructure Sharing Effects on the Environment and the Delivery of Equitable Public Services in Zimbabwe

Upon rapid utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services, Information Technology Infrastructure (ITI) sharing has become one of the most topical concerns for several developing economies in Africa. Emerging Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Zimbabwe face the dilemma of either investing in their own ITI or sharing infrastructure major telecommunications firms have already established. This study delved into the effects of ITI sharing on ISPs. It detailed how ITI sharing is affecting the emerging ISPs more than established ones, a development that cascades to compromised sustainability of the environment and equitable service provision to the citizens of Zimbabwe. Findings indicated that because of the monopoly and regulations exerted by established firms and government, respectively, emerging ISPs in Zimbabwe face numerous hurdles in the provision of Internet services hence resort to means that are detrimental to environmental sustainability and non-equitable in the provision of this public service. By review of approaches taken in other countries, the inquiry employed the Zimbabwean case to address this issue. Detailed enquiries on already established firms, new players, and stakeholders were conducted through in-depth one-on-one interviews. The study was qualitative in nature, making use of key informant interviews, document analyses of government policy, local authority regulations, and related research publications.