Zimbabwe, a country in Southern Africa which suffers from hyperinflation, shortages of fuel and imported goods, has received a 3G network from PowerTel, one of the three networks awarded 3G licenses by the country's telecommunications regulator, reports Bizcommunity.

3G roll-out in Africa is increasing at a fast rate, and in Zimbabwe the network is only operative in Harare, the country's capital. The network spent US$4.4 in installing the network, and hopes to cover other cities too.

Much like the rest of Africa, the Zimbabwean operator also wishes 3G to be used in PC and laptops only, for the moment. In terms of mobile phones, the country's penetration for GSM is expected to reach 30% in 2010, therefore it is unlikely for 3G to succeed.

The operators with a functional 3G network will be allowed to offer international VoIP services, which are currently restricted in the country. "The amendment of licences will enable operators to offer new services which are covered by the current legislation, but restricted by their current licence documents," said the regulator in a statement.

PowerTel received its 3G licence in mid-December from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). One of the other two operators who received this licence as well, Econet Wireless, the largest network operator of the country, with a 43% market share, had completed installation of its own network early 2007, but it hasn't switched it on as the regulator failed to provided it the needed radio spectrum.