in Zambia - NGO Pulse

Table 1. ICT Indicators for Zambia
ICT Indicators 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 1
Mobile Subscribers 413,129 949,558 1,663,051 2,639,026 3,200,000
Fixed line subscribers 86, 000 94,665 93,427 91,789 90,951
Mobile teledensity (%) 3.725 8.299 14.369 22.539 -
Fixed teledensity (%) 0.818 0.827 0.807 0.784 -
Internet subscribers 16,288 10.882 11,996 17,946 18,078
Internet teledensity 0.147 0.095 0.104 0.144 -
Internet users 2 - - 54,000 500,000 -
Cybercafés and telecentres 3 - - 500 700 -
Source: Communications Authority of Zambia;
RIA! : Telecommunications Performance indicators, 2007
Table 2. ICT Players in Zambia
ICT Players in Zambia
Mobile operators Zain MTN CelZ
(subscribers per operator) 2,600,00 800,000 170,000
Fixed line operator
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Large ISPs
ZAMTEL
Zamnet, ZAMTEL, Microlink, AfriConnect, UUNet, Coppernet,
Pronet, Zain, MTN
Zamnet, ZAMTEL Online, Coppernet, AfriConnect
Source: Communications Authority of Zambia;
RIA! : Telecommunications Performance indicators, 2007
From the data presented above it is quite clear that internet penetration is low, while that of mobile
telephony has risen dramatically since its introduction. The current mobile penetration is however
still very low and could be improved.
1 The 2008 statistics reflect data from the Communications Authority of Zambia for the first quarter of 2008.
2 The jump in Internet users could be attributed to the increase in the number of cybercafés as well the reduction in the
cost of access. The other attribute could be the use of such services by students in the increased number of colleges that
have mushroomed across the country.
3 Most telecentres have not renewed their licenses and are now operating as cybercafés that do not require licenses to
operate; there is little difference between the two types of ICT access points.
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