The penetration rate of mobile telephone services in Zimbabwe is 91.9%, according to the latest official statistics. However, the actual figures are expected to be lower as some people have multiple SIM cards registered in their name.
The Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) says it has funded the relocation of 11 telecoms network towers across the country. The initiative aims to improve network coverage and capacity, particularly in areas where demand is highest or with higher population density.
The project saw the relocation of 10 Econet telecom towers while its competitor NetOne moved one. The regulator explains that the total number of relocated towers “ is expected to increase to 13 by the end of the year if Telecel and NetOne complete their current projects ”.
This POTRAZ initiative is part of the Zimbabwean government’s drive to expand mobile connectivity across the country, particularly in underserved rural areas. The executive unveiled, last February, a project aimed at deploying more than 300 new base stations across the country, in partnership with telecoms companies.
According to the regulator’s latest statistics, Zimbabwe had 13.9 million mobile subscribers in the second quarter of 2023 (April-June) for a penetration rate of 91.9%. The country also had an Internet penetration rate of 65.2% with 9.9 million mobile Internet subscriptions. However, the actual figures are expected to be lower as some people have multiple SIM cards registered in their name.