The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Africa
Telecommunication systems Burundi, in 35 editions.
The entry for Burundi published Telecommunication systems in 35 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2024. The text changed in 29 editions. Each is shown as published. Telecommunication systems in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 29
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2024
Published as “Telecommunications” (1990 to 1994), “Telephone system” (1995 to 2019) and “Telecommunication systems” (2020 to 2024).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2024 edition
Changed since 2023The same text in 1990 and 1991.
Published as “Telecommunications”
- sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity radio relay links;
- 8,000 telephones;
- stations--2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity radio relay links; 8,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity radio relay links;
- 8,000 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity radio relay
links; 8,000 telephones; stations--2 broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian
Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay links;
- 8,000 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
relay links; 8,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian
Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay links;
- 8,000 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity microwave radio
radio relay links; 8,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM,
1 TV; 1
Published as “Telephone system”
- 8,000 telephones;
- primative system;
- telephone density - 1.3 telephones/1,000 persons
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay links
- international:
- 1 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station
8,000 telephones; primative system; telephone
density - 1.3 telephones/1,000 persons
local: NA
intercity: sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and
low-capacity microwavelinks; 8,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, links1 TV; international: 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station
Published as “Telephone system”
primitive system
- domestic:
- sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
8,000 telephones; primative system; telephone primitive system
density - 1.3 telephones/1,000 persons
local: NAintercity: domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiocommunications, and radiotelephone communications,
and low-capacity microwave radio relay links
international: satellite earth station - 1 INTELSAT Intelsat (Indian Ocean) earth station
Published as “Telephone system”
primitive system
- domestic:
- sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international :
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
primitive system
domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications,
and low-capacity microwave radio relayinternational: international : satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
primitive system
- domestic:
- sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
primitive system
domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications,
and low-capacity microwave radio relayinternational : international: satellite earth station - 1 station-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
primitive system
- domestic:
- sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
primitive system
domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications,
and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station-1 station--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
primitive system
- domestic:
- sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
primitive system
domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications,
international: satellite earth station--1 station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- primitive system domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: primitive system
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- primitive system
- domestic:
- sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: primitive system
domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- primitive system
- domestic:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: primitive system
domestic: sparse system of open wire, open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
The same text in 3 editions, 2004 to 2006.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- primitive system
- domestic:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: primitive system
domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- primitive system;
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 2 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007)
general assessment: primitive system system; telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 2 per 100 persons
domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- primitive system;
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 3 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007)
general assessment: primitive system; telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 2 3 per 100 persons
domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- primitive system;
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 5 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
general assessment:
primitive system; telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 3 5 per 100 persons
domestic:
sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international:
country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007) (2008)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 10 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)
general assessment:primitive system; sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
domestic:
telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 5 10 per 100 personsdomestic:international:
sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008) (2009)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at roughly 10 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)
general assessment:
sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
domestic:
telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager roughly 10 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)
The same text in 3 editions, 2012 to 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at roughly 20 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
general assessment:
sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
domestic:
telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at roughly 10 20 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009) (2011)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at roughly 20 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
general assessment:
domestic:
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage has increased to roughly 45 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2015)
general assessment: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
domestic: telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at has increased to roughly 20 45 per 100 persons
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is approaching 50 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
domestic: telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage has increased to roughly 45 is approaching 50 per 100 persons
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2015) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- with the great population density Burundi remains one of the most alluring telecom markets in Africa for investors;
- the government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025;
- mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE mobile services to capitalise on the expanding demand for Internet access (2018)
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is approaching 52 per 100 persons (2017)
- international:
- country code - 257;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
- the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telcos to build a national fibre backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2017)
Rewritten: too little of the 2017 text remains to mark the changes.
general assessment: with the great population density Burundi remains one of the most alluring telecom markets in Africa for investors; the government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025; mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE mobile services to capitalise on the expanding demand for Internet access (2018)
domestic: telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is approaching 52 per 100 persons (2017)
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telcos to build a national fibre backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2017)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- with the great population density Burundi remains one of the most alluring telecom markets in Africa for investors;
- the government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025;
- mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE mobile services to capitalize on the expanding demand for Internet access (2018)
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is approaching 52 per 100 persons (2018)
- international:
- country code - 257;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
- the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telcoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
general assessment: with the great population density Burundi remains one of the most alluring telecom markets in Africa for investors; the government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025; mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE mobile services to capitalise capitalize on the expanding demand for Internet access (2018)
domestic: telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is approaching 52 per 100 persons (2017) (2018)
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telcos telcoms to build a national fibre fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2017) (2019)
- general assessment:
- with the great population density Burundi remains one of the most alluring telecom markets in Africa for investors;
- the government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025;
- mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE mobile services to capitalize on the expanding demand for Internet access;
- mobile penetration is at 52%, and remains low by regional standards;
- future plans to privatize the national telecoms (2020)
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is 58 per 100 persons (2019)
- international:
- country code - 257;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
- the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
general assessment: with the great population density Burundi remains one of the most alluring telecom markets in Africa for investors; the government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025; mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE mobile services to capitalize on the expanding demand for Internet access (2018) access; mobile penetration is at 52%, and remains low by regional standards; future plans to privatize the national telecoms (2020)
domestic: telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is approaching 52 58 per 100 persons (2018) (2019)
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telcoms telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
- general assessment:
- Burundi’s high population density and low telecom penetration rates make it an attractive market for investors;
- mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE to meet the demand for Internet;
- mobile subscription remains low;
- government/World Bank joint project to build a national broadband backbone connecting to submarine cable landings in Kenya and Tanzania;
- government launched e-health project (2021) (2020)
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is 58 per 100 persons (2019)
- international:
- country code - 257;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
- the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment: with the great Burundi’s high population density Burundi remains one of the most alluring and low telecom markets in Africa penetration rates make it an attractive market for investors; the government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025; mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE mobile services to capitalize on meet the expanding demand for Internet access; Internet; mobile penetration is at 52%, and subscription remains low by regional standards; future plans low; government/World Bank joint project to privatize the build a national telecoms broadband backbone connecting to submarine cable landings in Kenya and Tanzania; government launched e-health project (2021) (2020)
domestic: telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is 58 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect consequent restriction on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable services as a tool for work and satellite - has moderated school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
- general assessment:
- Burundi provides an attractive telecom market given its high population density and existing low subscription rates for all services;
- one downside for investors is that the country has a very low economic output, disposable income is also very low, and fixed-line infrastructure is poor outside the main urban areas;
- this is a greater motivation for investors to focus on improving mobile networks than in expanding fixed-line infrastructure;
- to overcome difficulties associated with the poor telecom infrastructure, the government has supported a number of prominent telcos building a national fiber backbone network;
- this network offers onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania;
- the first sections of this network were switched on in early 2014, and additional provinces have since been connected;
- in addition, the government in early 2018 kick-started the Burundi Broadband project, which aims to deliver national connectivity by 2025;
- based on this improved infrastructure the government and ITU have developed an ICT strategy to make use of telecoms to promote the country’s socio-economic development through to 2028;
- progress made by Tanzania with its own national backbone network has benefited Burundi, which has been provided with onward connectivity to most countries in the region;
- International bandwidth capacity has continued to increase in recent years, including a 38% increase in the nine months to September 2021, resulting in lower retail prices for consumers;
- two of the mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE services to capitalize on the growing demand for internet access;
- the number of mobile subscribers increased 7% in the third quarter of 2021, quarter-on-quarter;
- similar growth is expected for the next two years at least, which will help bring the mobile level closer to the average for the region (2022)
- domestic:
- telephone density one of the lowest in the world;
- fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage is about 56 per 100 persons (2020)
- international:
- country code - 257;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
- the government, supported by the World Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Rewritten: too little of the 2021 text remains to mark the changes.
general assessment: Burundi provides an attractive telecom market given its high population density and existing low subscription rates for all services; one downside for investors is that the country has a very low economic output, disposable income is also very low, and fixed-line infrastructure is poor outside the main urban areas; this is a greater motivation for investors to focus on improving mobile networks than in expanding fixed-line infrastructure; to overcome difficulties associated with the poor telecom infrastructure, the government has supported a number of prominent telcos building a national fiber backbone network; this network offers onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania; the first sections of this network were switched on in early 2014, and additional provinces have since been connected; in addition, the government in early 2018 kick-started the Burundi Broadband project, which aims to deliver national connectivity by 2025; based on this improved infrastructure the government and ITU have developed an ICT strategy to make use of telecoms to promote the country’s socio-economic development through to 2028; progress made by Tanzania with its own national backbone network has benefited Burundi, which has been provided with onward connectivity to most countries in the region; International bandwidth capacity has continued to increase in recent years, including a 38% increase in the nine months to September 2021, resulting in lower retail prices for consumers; two of the mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE services to capitalize on the growing demand for internet access; the number of mobile subscribers increased 7% in the third quarter of 2021, quarter-on-quarter; similar growth is expected for the next two years at least, which will help bring the mobile level closer to the average for the region (2022)
domestic: telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is about 56 per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the World Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
- general assessment:
- Burundi provides an attractive telecom market given its high population density and existing low subscription rates for all services;
- one downside for investors is that the country has a very low economic output, disposable income is also very low, and fixed-line infrastructure is poor outside the main urban areas;
- this is a greater motivation for investors to focus on improving mobile networks than in expanding fixed-line infrastructure;
- to overcome difficulties associated with the poor telecom infrastructure, the government has supported a number of prominent telcos building a national fiber backbone network;
- this network offers onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania;
- the first sections of this network were switched on in early 2014, and additional provinces have since been connected;
- in addition, the government in early 2018 kick-started the Burundi Broadband project, which aims to deliver national connectivity by 2025;
- based on this improved infrastructure the government and ITU have developed an ICT strategy to make use of telecoms to promote the country’s socio-economic development through to 2028;
- progress made by Tanzania with its own national backbone network has benefited Burundi, which has been provided with onward connectivity to most countries in the region;
- International bandwidth capacity has continued to increase in recent years, including a 38% increase in the nine months to September 2021, resulting in lower retail prices for consumers;
- two of the mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE services to capitalize on the growing demand for internet access;
- the number of mobile subscribers increased 7% in the third quarter of 2021, quarter-on-quarter;
- similar growth is expected for the next two years at least, which will help bring the mobile level closer to the average for the region (2022)
- domestic:
- fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is about 62 per 100 persons (2021)
- international:
- country code - 257;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
- the government, supported by the World Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
general assessment: Burundi provides an attractive telecom market given its high population density and existing low subscription rates for all services; one downside for investors is that the country has a very low economic output, disposable income is also very low, and fixed-line infrastructure is poor outside the main urban areas; this is a greater motivation for investors to focus on improving mobile networks than in expanding fixed-line infrastructure; to overcome difficulties associated with the poor telecom infrastructure, the government has supported a number of prominent telcos building a national fiber backbone network; this network offers onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania; the first sections of this network were switched on in early 2014, and additional provinces have since been connected; in addition, the government in early 2018 kick-started the Burundi Broadband project, which aims to deliver national connectivity by 2025; based on this improved infrastructure the government and ITU have developed an ICT strategy to make use of telecoms to promote the country’s socio-economic development through to 2028; progress made by Tanzania with its own national backbone network has benefited Burundi, which has been provided with onward connectivity to most countries in the region; International bandwidth capacity has continued to increase in recent years, including a 38% increase in the nine months to September 2021, resulting in lower retail prices for consumers; two of the mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE services to capitalize on the growing demand for internet access; the number of mobile subscribers increased 7% in the third quarter of 2021, quarter-on-quarter; similar growth is expected for the next two years at least, which will help bring the mobile level closer to the average for the region (2022)
domestic: telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is about 56 62 per 100 persons (2020) (2021)
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the World Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
- general assessment:
- Burundi provides an attractive telecom market given its high population density and existing low subscription rates for all services;
- one downside for investors is that the country has a very low economic output,and an unconducive business environment;
- disposable income is also very low, and fixed-line infrastructure is poor outside the main urban areas;
- this is a greater motivation for investors to focus on improving mobile networks than in expanding fixed-line infrastructure;
- to overcome difficulties associated with the poor telecom infrastructure, the government has supported a number of prominent telcos building a national fiber backbone network;
- this network offers onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania;
- the first sections of this network were switched on in early 2014, and additional provinces have since been connected;
- in addition, the government in early 2018 kick-started the Burundi Broadband project, which aims to deliver national connectivity by 2025;
- based on this improved infrastructure the government and ITU have developed an ICT strategy to make use of telecoms to promote the country’s socio-economic development through to 2028;
- progress made by Tanzania with its own national backbone network has benefited Burundi, which has been provided with onward connectivity to most countries in the region;
- International bandwidth capacity has continued to increase in recent years, including a 38% increase in the nine months to September 2021, resulting in lower retail prices for consumers;
- two of the mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE services to capitalize on the growing demand for internet access;
- the number of mobile subscribers increased 7% in the third quarter of 2021, quarter-on-quarter;
- similar growth is expected for the next two years at least, which will help bring the mobile level closer to the average for the region (2022);
- Burundi’s Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (ARCT) has recently published its roadmap for the deployment of 5G services in the country, setting out a target of July 2024 for the introduction of commercial services. (2022)
- domestic:
- fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is about 62 per 100 persons (2021)
- international:
- country code - 257;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean);
- the government, supported by the World Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
general assessment: Burundi provides an attractive telecom market given its high population density and existing low subscription rates for all services; one downside for investors is that the country has a very low economic output, output,and an unconducive business environment; disposable income is also very low, and fixed-line infrastructure is poor outside the main urban areas; this is a greater motivation for investors to focus on improving mobile networks than in expanding fixed-line infrastructure; to overcome difficulties associated with the poor telecom infrastructure, the government has supported a number of prominent telcos building a national fiber backbone network; this network offers onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania; the first sections of this network were switched on in early 2014, and additional provinces have since been connected; in addition, the government in early 2018 kick-started the Burundi Broadband project, which aims to deliver national connectivity by 2025; based on this improved infrastructure the government and ITU have developed an ICT strategy to make use of telecoms to promote the country’s socio-economic development through to 2028; progress made by Tanzania with its own national backbone network has benefited Burundi, which has been provided with onward connectivity to most countries in the region; International bandwidth capacity has continued to increase in recent years, including a 38% increase in the nine months to September 2021, resulting in lower retail prices for consumers; two of the mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE services to capitalize on the growing demand for internet access; the number of mobile subscribers increased 7% in the third quarter of 2021, quarter-on-quarter; similar growth is expected for the next two years at least, which will help bring the mobile level closer to the average for the region (2022); Burundi’s Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (ARCT) has recently published its roadmap for the deployment of 5G services in the country, setting out a target of July 2024 for the introduction of commercial services. (2022)
domestic: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is about 62 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the World Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Burundi: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/burundi/telecommunication-systems.