Technology / Mobile phone
Zimbabwe mobile tele-density stands at 97%
08 Mar 2013 at 04:51hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE now has a mobile penetration of 97 percent with more than 12 million cellphone lines registered as last December.
According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, the country's mobile tele-density had increased from 85 percent in the second quarter of 2012 due to increased investment in telecommunications infrastructure and adoption of new technology by subscribers.
Mobile tele-density refers to the number of active mobile phone SIM cards as a percentage of the country's total population. In a statement Potraz said the growth in mobile penetration could be attributed to favourable government policies and slashing of SIM card prices as well as the duty free rebate on the importation of ICT gadgets.
"The increased mobile penetration has been triggered by increased investment in communication infrastructure in both urban and rural areas meaning that marginalised people can now afford to use mobile phones," said Potraz.
Potraz said Econet Wireless, the largest telecommunications company, had 8 014 055 subscribers, Telecel, the second largest mobile operator had 2 582154 subscribers while NetOne had 2 017 762 subscribers.
"The subscribers' statistics shows the total number of active SIM cards collected from the three mobile operators. The mobile penetration is calculated against the total population of the country, which currently stands at an estimated 13 million.
"Zimbabwe's three mobile service providers - Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, state-owned NetOne and Telecel Zimbabwe now have a combined subscriber base of more than 10 million subscribers," said the regulator.
Potraz said the country's internet subscribers now stood at 4,5 million, which grew from 3,2 million subscribers recorded in the second quarter of 2012.
According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, the country's mobile tele-density had increased from 85 percent in the second quarter of 2012 due to increased investment in telecommunications infrastructure and adoption of new technology by subscribers.
Mobile tele-density refers to the number of active mobile phone SIM cards as a percentage of the country's total population. In a statement Potraz said the growth in mobile penetration could be attributed to favourable government policies and slashing of SIM card prices as well as the duty free rebate on the importation of ICT gadgets.
"The increased mobile penetration has been triggered by increased investment in communication infrastructure in both urban and rural areas meaning that marginalised people can now afford to use mobile phones," said Potraz.
"The subscribers' statistics shows the total number of active SIM cards collected from the three mobile operators. The mobile penetration is calculated against the total population of the country, which currently stands at an estimated 13 million.
"Zimbabwe's three mobile service providers - Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, state-owned NetOne and Telecel Zimbabwe now have a combined subscriber base of more than 10 million subscribers," said the regulator.
Potraz said the country's internet subscribers now stood at 4,5 million, which grew from 3,2 million subscribers recorded in the second quarter of 2012.
Source - TH
