Internet in Zimbabwe: Infrastructure, Affordability, and Regulation

Zimbabwe's internet infrastructure is still in its early stages of development, with a relatively low number of internet users compared to other countries in the region.

The country's internet penetration rate is estimated to be around 45%, with around 10 million people using the internet, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency.

Internet services in Zimbabwe are mainly provided by a few major players, including Econet Wireless, Telecel Zimbabwe, and NetOne, which offer a range of internet packages to suit different budgets and needs.

Despite the relatively low internet penetration rate, Zimbabweans are increasingly turning to mobile internet as a convenient and affordable way to access the online world, with mobile broadband subscriptions on the rise.

Zimbabwe's first internet service provider, Data Control & Systems, was established in 1994.

The national Posts and Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) built a national Internet backbone in 1997 to sell bandwidth to private ISPs.

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Licensing of ISPs is overseen by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).

As of 2009, ISP licenses cost between $2-4 million, depending on the level of service, plus 3.5 percent of the ISP's annual gross income.

The Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers Association (ZISPA) had 28 member ISPs as of 2007.

Zimbabwe's mobile networks are the dominant form of internet access, with three major operators - Econet Wireless, NetOne, and Telecel - accounting for the majority of connections.

Mobile broadband is available across most populated areas, with 2G/3G coverage and 4G LTE expanded to cities and towns. As of 2023, over 14 million active cellular connections (SIMs) were in use, equivalent to about 85% of the population.

Rural areas still face challenges with limited or no signal, and mobile internet speeds are modest, with a median mobile download speed of about 10.9 Mbps in 2023.

Zimbabwe's fiber backbone infrastructure has expanded significantly, led by companies like Liquid Intelligent Technologies, which has built regional fiber routes connecting Zimbabwe to undersea cables via South Africa and Mozambique.

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Zimbabwe's internet infrastructure is primarily driven by mobile networks, with three major mobile operators – Econet Wireless, NetOne, and Telecel – accounting for the majority of connections.

Mobile broadband is the dominant form of internet access in Zimbabwe today, with mobile networks providing 2G/3G coverage across most populated areas and expanding 4G LTE to cities and towns.

By early 2023, Zimbabwe had over 14 million active cellular connections (SIMs), equivalent to about 85% of the population.

Mobile internet speeds are modest, with a median mobile download speed of about 10.9 Mbps in 2023.

Mobile networks have been upgrading to 4G and even started limited 5G rollout, with Econet launching Zimbabwe's first 5G sites in 2022.

Fiber optics play a crucial role in Zimbabwe's internet infrastructure, with Liquid Intelligent Technologies operating the largest fiber network in the country, spanning eight other African countries.

Liquid's backbone delivers international bandwidth and feeds national backbones and metropolitan fiber rings in major cities.

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Fiber-to-the-premises is available in limited areas, mostly affluent suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo, while many businesses connect via fiber in city centers.

Here's a summary of major ISPs in Zimbabwe:

Satellite internet has revolutionized remote connectivity, allowing people in rural areas to access the internet from their homes.

In the early 2000s, satellite internet started to gain traction, with companies like HughesNet and WildBlue launching their services.

The first commercial satellite internet service was launched in 1998 by Teledesic, but it was expensive and not widely adopted.

Satellite internet is particularly useful for people living in areas where other types of internet infrastructure are not available.

By 2019, satellite internet had become a viable option for internet access, with over 1 million subscribers worldwide.

Satellite internet has had a significant impact on remote communities, enabling them to access essential services like healthcare, education, and e-commerce.

However, satellite internet is often more expensive than traditional internet services and has data caps, which can limit usage.

Despite these limitations, satellite internet has opened up new opportunities for people in remote areas to participate in the digital economy.

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Internet access in Zimbabwe has long been constrained by high costs, with the country ranking among the most expensive in Africa for data. A 2018 survey by the Alliance for Affordable Internet found Zimbabwe had the highest mobile data cost in the region at $25 per GB.

Even as of 2021, 1 GB of mobile data cost nearly 45% of the average monthly income in Zimbabwe. This pushed many users to rely on social media bundles and public Wi-Fi hotspots as cheaper alternatives.

Affordability has improved slightly with dollarization of tariffs and new packages. For instance, Econet’s monthly 5 Mbps unlimited plan at $45 works out to ~$0.045 per GB.

The urban-rural digital divide remains pronounced, with urban residents enjoying far greater connectivity options. Only about 20% of the rural population has internet access, compared to much higher rates in cities.

A city dweller might visit a café or community center for Wi-Fi, but a villager often must spend precious income on cellular data for any connectivity.

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The Post and Telecommunications Act of 2000 allows the government to monitor e-mail usage and requires ISPs to supply information to government officials when requested.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2004 that the sections of the law that permit monitoring violated the constitution, but the government struck back with an initiative that requires ISPs to renew contracts with TelOne with the stipulation that they report any e-mail with "offensive or dangerous" content.

None of the members of the Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers Association will sign agreements with TelOne due to the unconstitutional requirements.

The government strengthened its Internet surveillance policies with the Interception of Communications Bill of 2006, which requires telecommunications and Internet service providers to ensure their systems are technically capable of monitoring and to cover all associated costs.

The parliament approved the Interception of Communications Bill in June 2007, despite initial objections over constitutionality.

The government began discussing a new Information Communication and Technology Bill in June 2009, which will take the place of the Broadcasting Services Act and the Posts and Telecommunications Act, and will consolidate ICT regulation under the proposed National Information and Communications Technology Authority of Zimbabwe.

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Zimbabwe's internet penetration rate is relatively low, at around 40% of the population, with many rural areas lacking access altogether.

The country's aging infrastructure is a major challenge, with many internet users relying on slow and unreliable connections.

Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for growth and development, particularly in the areas of e-commerce and digital payments.

The government's efforts to increase internet access and promote digital literacy are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the country's digital divide.

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The challenges facing internet access in Zimbabwe are complex and multifaceted. Despite some progress in affordability, a huge gap remains between urban and rural areas.

One of the biggest hurdles is the cost barrier, with 1 GB of mobile data costing nearly 45% of the average monthly income in Zimbabwe. This makes it difficult for many people to afford even basic internet access.

The urban-rural digital divide is particularly pronounced, with only about 20% of the rural population having internet access compared to much higher rates in cities. This is largely due to the lack of connectivity options in rural areas.

Efforts to extend rural access have been slow and uneven, with the Universal Service Fund (USF) being underutilized in the past. This has contributed to rural areas lagging behind in terms of coverage and cost.

Electricity shortages also impact both affordability and accessibility, as frequent power cuts disrupt networks and force operators to run generators, raising operating costs that trickle down to consumers.

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In Zimbabwe, agriculture and mining are the backbone of the economy, and both sectors are heavily reliant on connectivity.

The country produces a range of crops, including tobacco, corn, cotton, wheat, coffee, and sugar cane. Both farming and mining communities have been hit hard by poor economic conditions.

Satellite technology can help these industries become more operationally efficient. For mining, VSAT can greatly improve day-to-day operations and monitoring of the mine to boost productivity.

VSAT can also be used for health and safety purposes, providing critical connectivity when needed most. This can enhance miner welfare and improve overall safety in the mines.

For farming communities, access to the Internet can be a game-changer. It can open up small farming businesses to a wider market, allowing farmers to trade further afield and build up their businesses.

The Internet also brings a wealth of information and learning resources that can improve farming techniques and provide valuable advice. This can lead to improved crop yields and better farming practices.

BusinessCom Networks offers a range of satellite internet services in Zimbabwe, including broadband Internet access, toll-quality VoIP and videoconferencing, and reliable SLA through FDMA and D-TDMA with 98% efficiency on payload.

Here are some of the key services offered by BusinessCom Networks:

Econet Wireless offers a 5 Mbps unlimited mobile data package for $45 a month, with 1 TB of data before speeds may be throttled.

Mobile internet in Zimbabwe is dominated by Econet, with its subsidiaries providing extensive coverage across the country.

NetOne, another major mobile ISP, offers competitive bundles starting at $1 for daily social data.

Liquid Home (formerly ZOL) and TelOne are the key fixed broadband providers for home users, offering a range of data packages.

TelOne's example plans include 60 GB for ~$24/month and 200 GB for ~$64.

Liquid Home's home unlimited plan costs ~$89/month, with fair use applying.

Dandemutande (Utande) offers unlimited data plans starting at $49 for 10 Mbps LTE.

Starlink (SpaceX) provides satellite broadband with unlimited ~100+ Mbps for $30/month, making it the cheapest per Mbps internet in Zimbabwe.

Here are the major ISPs in Zimbabwe, summarized:

In Zimbabwe, internet penetration has been steadily increasing, with a significant jump from 15% in 2015 to 63% in 2020.

The country's internet infrastructure has been largely driven by mobile networks, with mobile internet subscriptions surpassing fixed broadband subscriptions.

The internet speed in Zimbabwe is relatively slow, with an average speed of 10.5 Mbps, which is lower than the African average.

Zimbabwe has made significant strides in internet accessibility, with 95% of the population living within range of a mobile network.

However, the high cost of data remains a major barrier to internet adoption, with Zimbabweans paying some of the highest data prices in the region.

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In Zimbabwe, the cost of internet data has skyrocketed, making it difficult for people to access basic services, study, or make a living online.

Internet costs have increased by 100% in October 2023, with 1 gigabyte of data now averaging $3.54.

The digital divide is deepening, with only the elite few able to afford internet access.

This has had a significant impact on entrepreneurs like Joyce Kapvumfuti, who relies on online advertising to get customers for her catering business.

She now spends most of her earnings on data, leaving her struggling to cover basic expenses like rent and food for her children.

The situation is unsustainable, with many people relying on borrowed WiFi connections to access the internet.

The regulator's director general, Gift Machengete, said the increase was done in the interest of balancing service affordability and operator viability.

However, digital rights lawyer Nompilo Simanje argues that internet access has become a luxury that only the elite few can afford.

The Zimbabwean government and the telecoms regulator are under pressure to take action to bring down prices and tackle the digital divide.

A table showing the current data prices in Zimbabwe:

These prices are not only affecting individuals but also remote workers and students, who rely on the internet to access basic services and complete their work.

The situation highlights the need for affordable internet access in Zimbabwe, which is essential for economic growth and development.