Angola Telecom Services and Infrastructure Overview

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Angola's telecommunications landscape is rapidly evolving, with a growing demand for reliable and high-speed internet services. The country's largest telecom operator, Angola Telecom, has been working to upgrade its infrastructure to meet this demand.

Angola Telecom has invested heavily in expanding its fiber-optic network, with over 10,000 kilometers of fiber installed across the country. This investment has led to a significant increase in internet penetration rates.

The company's efforts have paid off, with Angola now boasting some of the fastest internet speeds in Africa. In fact, Angola Telecom's fiber-optic network has enabled speeds of up to 10 Gbps in certain areas.

For another approach, see: Telecommunications in Angola

Infrastructure and Services

Angola Telecom has invested heavily in its infrastructure, with 29 satellite earth stations in operation as of 2009. This allows for reliable communication services across the country.

Angola's connectivity to the rest of the world is also impressive, thanks to the SAT-3/WASC fiber optic submarine cable that connects to Europe and Asia. In 2017, Angola launched its first communication satellite, AngoSat 1, built by RSC Enegria.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station

Credit: youtube.com, João A. Martins, Chairman, Board of Directors, Angola Telecom - Interview ITU Telecom World 2013

Angola Telecom is part of the West Africa Cable System (WACS) consortium, which provides high-speed internet connectivity to the west coast of Africa and beyond. The company also operates the landing station for the older Sat3 cable in Luanda.

Here are some key facts about Angola Telecom's infrastructure:

  • 29 satellite earth stations (2009)
  • SAT-3/WASC fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Europe and Asia
  • AngoSat 1, Angola's first communication satellite, launched in 2017
  • Part of the West Africa Cable System (WACS) consortium

Movicel

Movicel is facing a delicate financial situation, with quality, technical, and network coverage problems.

The company owes a huge debt to Angola Telecom, which led to AT leaving Movicel at the end of 2019.

Several international carriers have already ceased providing services to Movicel due to unpaid dues.

Angola Telecom is expected to acquire a stake in Movicel as part of a larger capital injection.

The government plans to take an indirect 57% share of Movicel through four companies.

The partners are pressuring Angola's social security institution, INSS, to inject fresh money into the company, with a previous promise of 100 million dollars.

Angola Telecom's satellite subsidiary, Infrasat, is also proposed to hold a 12% stake in Movicel.

The government's plan includes existing stakes held by Instituto Nacional da Segurança Social (INSS, 25%) and National Post & Telegraph of Angola (Empresa Nacional de Correios e Telegrafos de Angola, ENCTA, 2%).

Cybastion Announces $170M Investment for Angola's Digital Sovereignty

Two fishermen stand by a boat on a beach, holding the Angolan flag, under a cloudy sky.
Credit: pexels.com, Two fishermen stand by a boat on a beach, holding the Angolan flag, under a cloudy sky.

Cybastion has made a landmark $170 million investment in partnership with Angola Telecom E.P. to strengthen Angola's digital infrastructure and cybersecurity capacity.

The investment is part of Cybastion's broader Digital Fast Track initiative, which aims to accelerate Africa's digital transformation and position Angola as a key player in the region's digital economy.

$25 million will be allocated to establish a national cybersecurity agency and launch cybersecurity training programs in collaboration with the Cisco Networking Academy.

The investment will also support critical digital infrastructure, including the deployment of undersea cables between Luanda and the port city of Lobito, significantly improving Angola's connectivity and digital backbone.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year during the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, reflects a growing commitment between Angola and its international partners to leverage advanced technologies for national development, digital inclusion, and regional competitiveness.

By investing in next-generation infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities, the Cybastion-Angola Telecom alliance aims to unlock new opportunities for innovation, secure data governance, and inclusive economic growth across Southern Africa.

Telephone

Credit: youtube.com, Infrastructure Telephone Services

Angola has made significant progress in expanding its telephone services. In 2011, the country had 303,200 fixed lines, ranking 116th in the world, with two lines per 100 persons.

The mobile cellular network has grown rapidly, with 13 million lines in 2011, equivalent to 65 lines per 100 persons. This represents a significant increase in accessibility and convenience for the population. Angola Telecom, the state-owned telecom, held a monopoly on fixed-line telephone service until 2005, with poor services and high prices.

Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993, and the network has since been extended to larger towns. By 2010, the number of fixed-line providers had expanded to five.

Here's a breakdown of the telephone services in Angola:

  • Fixed lines: 303,200, ranking 116th in the world, with two lines per 100 persons (2011).
  • Mobile cellular lines: 13 million, with 65 lines per 100 persons (2011).
  • International country code: 244.

Internet

Angola has made significant progress in expanding its internet infrastructure. The country now has 20,703 internet hosts, ranking 116th in the world (2012).

Internet penetration in Angola has been increasing steadily, reaching a penetration rate of 16.9 percent in 2012, up from just over 3 percent in 2007. This is a notable improvement, but there is still room for growth.

Credit: youtube.com, What is IT Infrastructure

Angola Telecom, the state-owned telecommunications provider, is one of the major players in the country's internet market, along with several private Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These ISPs offer a range of services, including residential and corporate internet plans.

Mobile broadband subscriptions have seen a significant surge, with over 5 million subscriptions in 2015. This is a testament to the growing demand for internet access in Angola.

Here are some of the top Internet Service Providers in Angola:

  • ACS
  • Cablelink - Telecomunicações, Lda
  • cmcinternet
  • ITA - Internet Technologies Angola
  • Multitel
  • MVcomm
  • NetOne
  • TSOLNETWORKS
  • TV-Cabo
  • Vizocom

These ISPs offer a range of services, including residential and corporate internet plans, as well as value-added solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Angola Telecom?

Angola Telecom is owned by the Angolan state, making it a wholly state-owned company. Its state ownership allows it to provide essential telecommunications services to the country.

Which telecom operator is in Angola?

In Angola, several telecom operators are present, including Unitel SA, Movicel, and Angola Telecom, among others. These operators provide a range of services to residents and visitors.

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