Zim sees mobile data surge, base station growth

ZIMBABWE’S fixed telephone subscriptions in the first quarter of the year declined by close to six percent to reach 291 160 on the back of increased usage of mobile phones that offer mobility convenience.

In its 2024 first quarter report, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) indicated that fixed telephone subscriptions in the fourth quarter of last year were 309 645.

This contraction in fixed telephone subscriptions resulted in a 0,12 percent decline in fixed telephone density to reach 1,90 percent from 2,02 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024.

“The contraction in fixed telephone subscriptions may be attributed to mobile substitution due to increasing popularity and widespread adoption of mobile phones, which offer mobility convenience,” it said.

The number of PSTN lines in the fourth quarter of 2023 were 256 257 compared to 256 813 in the first quarter this year.

Fixed Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscriptions in the fourth quarter of 2023 were 53 388 compared to 34 347 in the first quarter this year.

Meanwhile, Potraz said preference by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to deploy higher data capacity base stations is evidence that digital transformation is fast becoming a reality in Zimbabwe’s economy.

“Digital transformation is fast becoming a reality as evidenced by a surge in data consumption through increased use of online trading, e-government, other digital platforms, and Internet of Things (IoT).

“This trend has necessitated the apparent preference by MNOs to deploy higher data capacity 3G and 4G (LTE) base stations compared to 2G base stations.

“A total of 66 3G and 52 LTE (4G) base stations were deployed during the quarter under review,” said Potraz

In the quarter under review, the number of base stations increased following the deployment of 109 new base stations by the country’s three MNOs.

The three MNOs- Econet, NetOne and Telecel in the fourth quarter of last year deployed a total of 161 new base stations.

A vibrant digital economy is at the heart of the Government’s transformation agenda as Zimbabwe leverages modern technology to positively impact people’s lives in line with the aspirations of an
upper-middle income society by 2030.

In recent years, the country has been making strides in offering digital services from online tax filing to e-healthcare systems resultantly improving efficiency and transparency in Government operations in fighting corruption and enhancing public service.-ebusinessweekly