NETONE has expanded its agreement with Belgian firm Belgacom International Carrier Services to include international data roaming services.

The development will enable NetOne customers to access communication through international roaming services. Previously, NetOne international roaming was for voice calls and short message services only, but now this new development will also include international data roaming services.

Speaking on the new development, NetOne managing director Mr Reward Kangai said that the mobile phone operator was pleased to work with the Belgian company adding the relationship dated back to 1998 when an agreement was signed with Swisscom. This continued in 2005 when Swisscom merged with Belgacom.

'This is for our customers as they travel out of Zimbabwe and for tourists as they arrive in Zimbabwe because mobile communication has gone from voice and short messaging services to the Internet," he said.

Belgacom Africa regional vice president Ms Clementine Fournier said the company was happy to work with NetOne.

"We have a good relationship with NetOne which is long lasting, and we are launching mobile data roaming services that will enable visitors to have international roaming not only on voice and SMS but also on the Inter- net."

NetOne is in the process of rolling out 3G Internet services to Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Midlands and Masvingo.