Telecommunications in Zambia: Overview of the Sector and Its Growth

Zambia has made significant strides in its telecommunications sector, with a growing number of mobile subscribers and a expanding market for internet services.

The country's mobile penetration rate has increased from 25% in 2010 to over 80% in 2020, according to the Zambia Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ZTRA).

This growth is largely driven by the expansion of mobile network operators, with companies like MTN and Airtel investing heavily in infrastructure and services.

Zambia's mobile market is highly competitive, with several operators vying for market share and offering a range of services to consumers.

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The mobile telephony sector in Zambia has undergone significant developments since the government began liberalizing the telecom sector in 1991. The sector was initially dominated by ZAMTEL, the state-owned company.

ZAIN is the leading player in the mobile sector, holding over 70% market share, followed by MTN with 26% market share and CELTEL with the smallest market share of 4%. This dominance is evident in the market share statistics.

Mobile penetration in Zambia is quite impressive, standing at 71.3% with 10,396 mobile subscribers. This indicates a high level of adoption and potential for further growth.

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The mobile telephony sector in Zambia has undergone significant developments since the government began liberalizing the telecom sector in 1991.

ZAMTEL, the state-owned company, dominated the market at that time.

By 2004, the sector opened up to private sector competitors, with CELTEL (now ZAIN) and TELECEL being licensed.

ZAIN now holds over 70% of the market share, followed by MTN with 26%, and CELTEL with 4%.

Mobile penetration in Zambia reached 71.3% in 2015, with 10,396 mobile subscribers.

Almost 99.6% of customers are on prepaid billing across all networks.

The government plans to provide more incentives to new investors in the mobile sub-sector after 2015.

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The Zambian mobile telephony sector has undergone significant developments since the government began liberalizing the telecom sector in 1991.

The sector is dominated by ZAIN with over 70% market share, followed by MTN with 26% market share and CELTEL with the smallest market share of 4%.

Mobile penetration in Zambia is impressive, with 71.3% of the population having access to mobile services.

There are 10,396 mobile subscribers in Zambia, with potential for further growth.

Almost all customers, approximately 99.6%, are on prepaid billing across all networks.

The government is planning to provide more incentives to new investors in the mobile sub-sector after 2015.

Zambia's telecommunications infrastructure is quite impressive, especially considering its location in sub-Saharan Africa. The country has a calling code of +260 and an international call prefix of 00.

To make a call, you'll need to dial the country code followed by the phone number. If you're calling from outside Zambia, you can use the international call prefix to access the local network.

Zambia's mobile cellular network is operated by several cellular telephone services, which are improving their network coverage. The country also has a high-capacity microwave radio relay system that connects most larger towns and cities.

You can access this network by using a mobile phone with a SIM card from one of the local providers. The network coverage is improving, making it easier to stay connected on the go.

Here are some key facts about Zambia's telecommunications infrastructure:

In Zambia, radio and television options are quite diverse. The state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates three radio networks.

There are roughly two dozen private radio stations operating in the country, offering a wide range of content. Relays of at least two international broadcasters are accessible in major cities like Lusaka and Kitwe.

ZNBC operates one television station, which is the principal local-content provider. This means you can find plenty of local shows and news programs on ZNBC.

Several private TV stations are also available, catering to different tastes and interests. Multi-channel subscription TV services are available, giving viewers even more options.

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In Zambia, you can stay connected with loved ones back home or communicate with colleagues through our reliable telephone services. We offer calling codes, international call prefixes, and high-capacity microwave radio relays that connect most larger towns and cities.

Our mobile cellular services are improving, with several cellular telephone services in operation. You can also use our domestic satellite system, which is being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas.

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Our internet services are widely available, with top-level domain .zm and a range of internet service options. You can choose from fixed broadband, wireless broadband, or use our very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks operated by private firms.

We have a range of internet service options available, including:

You can also stay up-to-date with the latest news and entertainment through our radio and television services. We have a range of radio stations, including state-owned and private options, as well as television stations operated by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and private firms.

Internet penetration in Zambia has grown significantly over the past decade, with official data showing 12.6 million internet subscriptions and a penetration rate of 64.1% as of December 2023. This represents a substantial increase from the 20% of the population using the internet in 2020.

Mobile networks are the primary means of accessing the internet in Zambia, with over 99% of internet users relying on mobile broadband connections. This is due to the limited reach of fixed broadband and the relatively lower cost of mobile data.

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The share of the population using the internet has accelerated, rising from around 20% in 2020 to 31% in early 2024. This reflects improved access and affordability.

Internet speed and quality have been improving in Zambia, with median download speeds rising to around 19.6 Mbps on mobile and 21.3 Mbps on fixed broadband by February 2024. However, upload speeds still lag behind, with median upload speeds of around 7.6 Mbps on mobile and 5.3 Mbps on fixed broadband.

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Zambia's telecom sector is facing a significant challenge due to its limited availability of terrestrial cable linking the country to submarine cables. This limited connectivity hinders the growth of the sector.

High deployment costs and technology acquisition costs are major hurdles in developing backbone infrastructure. The existing internet and communication infrastructure in Zambia is of poor quality and limited coverage.

Zambia's sole entry point for optic fibre network is through Namibia using their ZESCO network. This limited connectivity affects the entire country, including landlocked and remote areas.

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The deregulation of international gateways of voice is expected to lead to a significant fall in prices for both internet and voice access. This will create new markets for triple play services, including voice, internet, and entertainment services.

The provision of retail fiber optic, mobile, and internet service providers is a major opportunity in the Zambian telecom sector. Data storage and cloud computing are also emerging as a promising subsector.

Zambia has a nascent tech startup ecosystem, with several incubators and a venture capital network. This ecosystem has potential for growth and development.

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The government of Zambia played a significant role in shaping the telecommunications sector, starting with the liberalization of the internet in 1993, which allowed the establishment of internet service providers (ISPs).

This move led to the growth of the sector, with the number of registered ISPs increasing from three in 2001 to 19 in the present day. However, not all of these ISPs are fully functional.

Only 14 of the 19 registered ISPs are currently operational, including well-known providers such as ZAMNET, ZAMTEL, and Coppernet Solutions.

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The Zambian government has played a significant role in shaping the country's internet sector through its policies and regulations.

In 1993, the government liberalized the internet market, allowing the establishment of internet service providers (ISPs) and paving the way for increased competition.

This move led to the growth of the internet sector in Zambia, with the number of registered ISPs increasing from just three in 2001 to 19 in total.

However, not all of these ISPs are fully functional, with only 14 of the 19 registered ISPs currently operational.

The government's regulations have had a positive impact on the internet sector, but there is still room for improvement, particularly in terms of increasing internet penetration rates.

The Zambian telecom sector has seen significant developments since the government began liberalizing telephony in 1991. This led to the entry of private sector competitors, with CELTEL (now ZAIN) and TELECEL being licensed in 2004.

ZAIN dominates the mobile sector with over 70% market share, followed by MTN with 26%, and CELTEL with a smaller market share of 4%. Mobile penetration in Zambia was 71.3% as of the latest statistics.

Almost all customers, 99.6%, are on prepaid billing across all networks. The government plans to provide more incentives to new investors in the mobile sub-sector after 2015.

The internet sector in Zambia has also seen growth, with the number of registered ISPs increasing from three in 2001 to 19 as of now. However, only 14 ISPs are fully functional.

Internet penetration in Zambia remains low at 15.4%, while mobile internet penetration was 23% as of Q3 2014, with 3,362,056 users. The limited availability of terrestrial cable linking the country to submarine cables is a significant challenge for the Zambian telecom sector.