The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Africa
Telecommunication systems Ethiopia, in 35 editions.
The entry for Ethiopia 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”
- open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- stations--4 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 45,000 TV sets;
- 3,300,000 radios;
- 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; stations--4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 45,000 TV sets; 3,300,000 radios; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 100,000 TV sets;
- 9,000,000 radios;
- 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use; open-wire to
Sudan and Djibouti; radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; stations--4 broadcast stations -
4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 45,000 100,000 TV sets; 3,300,000 9,000,000 radios; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 100,000 TV sets;
- 9,000,000 radios;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use; open-wire to
Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; broadcast
stations -
earth stations - 1 Atlantic Oceanearth station and 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
Published as “Telecommunications”
- open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 100,000 TV sets;
- 9,000,000 radios;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use;
open-wire to
Djibouti; broadcast
9,000,000 radios; satellite
and 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
Published as “Telephone system”
NA telephones; open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- open wire and microwave radio relay links
- international:
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- 3 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) earth stations
NA telephones; open-wire and radio relay system
adequate for government use; use
local: NA
intercity: open wire and microwave radio relay links
international: open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay
to Kenya andbroadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 100,000 TV sets; 3 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean
9,000,000 radios; satellite earth stations - 1INTELSATand 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
Ocean) earth stations
Published as “Telephone system”
open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open wire and microwave radio relay
- international:
- open wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
NA telephones; open-wire open wire and microwave radio relay system
adequate for government uselocal: NA domestic: open wire and microwave radio relay
intercity:links
international: open-wire open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay
relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 INTELSAT Intelsat
(1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacificearth stations
Published as “Telephone system”
open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open wire and microwave radio relay
- international:
- open wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
open wire and microwave radio relay system
for government use
domestic: open wire and microwave radio relay
international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio
to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat
Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open wire and microwave radio relay
- international:
- open wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations-3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate
for government use
domestic: open wire and microwave radio relay
international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay
to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 stations-3 Intelsat (1
Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open wire and microwave radio relay
- international:
- open wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations--3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate
adequate for government use
domestic: open wire and microwave radio relay
international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay
relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations-3 stations--3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open wire;
- microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- international:
- open wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
open wire and microwave radio relay system
domestic: open wire and wire; microwave radio relay relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radiostations--3 stations - 3 Intelsat (1
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use domestic: open wire;
- microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- open wire and microwave radio relay system; adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open wire;
- microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- international:
- open wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: open wire and microwave radio relay system system; adequate for government use
domestic: open wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- open-wire and microwave radio relay system; adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open-wire;
- microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- international:
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: open wire open-wire and microwave radio relay system; adequate for government use
domestic: open wire; open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
international: open wire open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- open-wire and microwave radio relay system; adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open-wire;
- microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: open-wire and microwave radio relay system; adequate for government use
domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
The same text in 2005 and 2006.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- adequate for government use
- domestic:
- open-wire;
- microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: open-wire and microwave radio relay system; adequate for government use
domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
The same text in 2007 and 2008.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- inadequate telephone system;
- the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base;
- combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 2 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- open-wire;
- microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: adequate for government use inadequate telephone system; the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 2 per 100 persons
domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- inadequate telephone system;
- the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base;
- combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 5 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- open-wire;
- microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2008)
general assessment:
inadequate telephone system; the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 2 5 per 100 persons
domestic:
open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
international:
country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2008)
The same text in 2010 and 2011.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- inadequate telephone system with the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services;
- open-wire, microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- domestic:
- the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 5 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2009)
general assessment:
inadequate telephone system; system with the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services; open-wire, microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
domestic:
the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a very small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 5 per 100 personsdomestic:international:
open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2008) (2009)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- inadequate telephone system with the Ethio Telecom maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services;
- open-wire, microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- domestic:
- the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 15 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)
general assessment:
inadequate telephone system with the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) Ethio Telecom maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services; open-wire, microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
domestic:
the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is only about 5 roughly 15 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2009)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- inadequate telephone system with the Ethio Telecom maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services;
- open-wire, microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- domestic:
- the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 15 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2011)
general assessment:
inadequate telephone system with the Ethio Telecom maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services; open-wire, microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
domestic:
the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a small base; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 15 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2011)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- inadequate telephone system with the Ethio Telecom maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services;
- open-wire, microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- domestic:
- the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing from a small base;
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 15 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2011)
general assessment:
domestic:fixed fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 15 per 100 persons
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- inadequate telephone system with the Ethio Telecom maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services;
- open-wire, microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- domestic:
- the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily from a small base and now stands at over 40 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2015)
general assessment: inadequate telephone system with the Ethio Telecom maintaining a monopoly over telecommunication services; open-wire, microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
domestic: the number of fixed lines and mobile telephones is increasing steadily from a small base; combined fixed-line base and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 15 now stands at over 40 per 100 persons
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2011) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- Ethio Telecom maintains a monopoly over telecommunication services;
- open-wire, microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
- domestic:
- the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily from a small base and now stands at over 50 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: inadequate telephone system with the Ethio Telecom maintaining maintains a monopoly over telecommunication services; open-wire, microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service
domestic: the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily from a small base and now stands at over 40 50 per 100 persons
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2015) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- Ethio Telecom maintains a monopoly over telecommunication services;
- open-wire, microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- mobile broadband services via 3G and LTE networks;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service;
- international Internet bandwidth increased 56% in 2016 to reach 35 Gb/s (2017)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscriptions at 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 59 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2017)
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: Ethio Telecom maintains a monopoly over telecommunication services; open-wire, microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; mobile broadband services via 3G and LTE networks; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service service; international Internet bandwidth increased 56% in 2016 to reach 35 Gb/s (2017)
domestic: fixed-line subscriptions at 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 59 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily from a small base and now stands at over 50 per 100 persons (2017)
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- Ethio Telecom maintains a monopoly over telecommunication services;
- open-wire, microwave radio relay;
- radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies;
- mobile broadband services via 3G and LTE networks;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service;
- international Internet bandwidth increased 56% in 2016 to reach 35 Gb/s (2018)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscriptions at 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 59 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2018)
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: Ethio Telecom maintains a monopoly over telecommunication services; open-wire, microwave radio relay; radio communication in the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; mobile broadband services via 3G and LTE networks; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service; international Internet bandwidth increased 56% in 2016 to reach 35 Gb/s (2017) (2018)
domestic: fixed-line subscriptions at 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 59 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2017) (2018)
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
- general assessment:
- Ethio Telecom maintained a monopoly over telecommunication services until recently and is now part-private;
- new expansion of LTE services;
- in 2019 govt. approved legislations which opened the market to competition and provides much needed foreign investment;
- one of the tech companies is Chinese company Huawei;
- govt. reduces tariffs by up to 50% in 2018, the result is an increase in data and voice traffic;
- govt. launches mobile app as part of e-govt initiative to build tech city (2020)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscriptions at 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 36 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2019)
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
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
Rewritten: too little of the 2019 text remains to mark the changes.
general assessment: Ethio Telecom maintained a monopoly over telecommunication services until recently and is now part-private; new expansion of LTE services; in 2019 govt. approved legislations which opened the market to competition and provides much needed foreign investment; one of the tech companies is Chinese company Huawei; govt. reduces tariffs by up to 50% in 2018, the result is an increase in data and voice traffic; govt. launches mobile app as part of e-govt initiative to build tech city (2020)
domestic: fixed-line subscriptions at 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 36 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2019)
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
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:
- telecom market challenged by political factionalism and reorganization of ruling party;
- despite some gains in access, Ethiopia remains one of the least-connected countries in the world;
- state-owned telecom held a monopoly over services until 2019 when government approved legislation and opened the market to competition and foreign investment;
- new expansion of LTE services;
- government reduced tariffs leading to increases in data and voice traffic;
- government launched mobile app as part of e-government initiative to build smart city;
- Huawei provides infrastructure to government operator and built data center in Addis Ababa;
- government disrupted service during political crises;
- importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscriptions at 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 36 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2019)
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
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: Ethio Telecom maintained telecom market challenged by political factionalism and reorganization of ruling party; despite some gains in access, Ethiopia remains one of the least-connected countries in the world; state-owned telecom held a monopoly over telecommunication services until recently and is now part-private; new expansion of LTE services; in 2019 govt. when government approved legislations which legislation and opened the market to competition and provides much needed foreign investment; one new expansion of the tech companies is Chinese company Huawei; govt. reduces LTE services; government reduced tariffs by up leading to 50% in 2018, the result is an increase increases in data and voice traffic; govt. launches government launched mobile app as part of e-govt e-government initiative to build tech city smart city; Huawei provides infrastructure to government operator and built data center in Addis Ababa; government disrupted service during political crises; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020)
domestic: fixed-line subscriptions at 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 36 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2019)
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
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:
- has been one of the last in Africa to allow its national telco a monopoly on all telecom services including fixed, mobile, internet and data communications;
- this has stifled innovation, restricted network expansion, and limited the scope of services on offer;
- the World Bank in early 2021 provided a $200 million loan to help develop the country’s digital transformation, while the government has embarked on its 2020-2030 program as well as its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, both aimed at making better use of digital technologies to promote socioeconomic development (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscriptions at about 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at a little over 39 per 100;
- the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2020)
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
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: telecom market challenged by political factionalism and reorganization of ruling party; despite some gains in access, Ethiopia remains has been one of the least-connected countries last in the world; state-owned telecom held Africa to allow its national telco a monopoly over on all telecom services until 2019 when government approved legislation including fixed, mobile, internet and opened the market to competition data communications; this has stifled innovation, restricted network expansion, and foreign investment; new expansion limited the scope of LTE services; government reduced tariffs leading to increases services on offer; the World Bank in data and voice traffic; early 2021 provided a $200 million loan to help develop the country’s digital transformation, while the government launched mobile app has embarked on its 2020-2030 program as part well as its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, both aimed at making better use of e-government initiative to build smart city; Huawei provides infrastructure digital technologies to government operator and built data center in Addis Ababa; government disrupted service during political crises; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020) promote socioeconomic development (2021)
domestic: fixed-line subscriptions at about 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at 36 a little over 39 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2019) (2020)
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
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; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards toward 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and has increased due to the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became is still evident, and received some support from governments the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
- general assessment:
- Ethio telecom is the major provider, but no longer has a complete monopoly on all telecom services;
- the World Bank in early 2021 provided a $200 million loan to help develop the country’s digital transformation, while the government has embarked on its 2020-2030 program as well as its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, both aimed at making better use of digital technologies to promote socioeconomic development (2023)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscriptions less than 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at a little over 54 per 100 people (2021)
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: has been one of Ethio telecom is the last in Africa to allow its national telco major provider, but no longer has a complete monopoly on all telecom services including fixed, mobile, internet and data communications; this has stifled innovation, restricted network expansion, and limited the scope of services on offer; services; the World Bank in early 2021 provided a $200 million loan to help develop the country’s digital transformation, while the government has embarked on its 2020-2030 program as well as its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, both aimed at making better use of digital technologies to promote socioeconomic development (2021) (2023)
domestic: fixed-line subscriptions at about less than 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at a little over 39 54 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2020) 100 people (2021)
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
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:
- Ethio telecom is the major provider, but no longer has a complete monopoly on all telecom services;
- a consortium led by Kenyan Safaricom launched service in October 2022;
- the World Bank in early 2021 provided a $200 million loan to help develop the country’s digital transformation, while the government has embarked on its 2020-2030 program as well as its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, both aimed at making better use of digital technologies to promote socioeconomic development (2023)
- domestic:
- fixed-line subscriptions less than 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at a little over 54 per 100 people (2021)
- international:
- country code - 251;
- open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;
- microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti;
- 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: Ethio telecom is the major provider, but no longer has a complete monopoly on all telecom services; a consortium led by Kenyan Safaricom launched service in October 2022; the World Bank in early 2021 provided a $200 million loan to help develop the country’s digital transformation, while the government has embarked on its 2020-2030 program as well as its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, both aimed at making better use of digital technologies to promote socioeconomic development (2023)
domestic: fixed-line subscriptions less than 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at a little over 54 per 100 people (2021)
international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Ethiopia: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/ethiopia/telecommunication-systems.