The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Africa
Telecommunication systems Madagascar, in 35 editions.
The entry for Madagascar published Telecommunication systems in 35 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2024. The text changed in 27 editions. Each is shown as published. Telecommunication systems in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 27
- 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”
- above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links;
- submarine cable to Bahrain;
- satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT;
- over 38,200 telephones;
- stations--14 AM, 1 FM, 7 (30 repeaters) TV
above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT; over 38,200 telephones; stations--14 AM, 1 FM, 7 (30 repeaters) TV
The same text in 1992 and 1993.
Published as “Telecommunications”
- above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links;
- submarine cable to Bahrain;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 1 (36 repeaters) TV
above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay,
and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations--1 stations
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT; over 38,200 telephones; stations--14 broadcast stations - 17 AM, 1 3 FM, 7 (30 1 (36
repeaters) TV
Published as “Telecommunications”
- above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links;
- submarine cable to Bahrain;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 1 (36 repeaters) TV
above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay,
relay, and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite
earth stations
AM, 3 FM, 1 (36
Published as “Telephone system”
NA telephones; above average system
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
- international:
- submarine cable to Bahrain; 1 earth station for Indian Ocean INTELSAT
NA telephones; above average system includes
local: NA
intercity: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radiotroposcatter links;
tropospheric scatter links
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite 1 earth station for Indian
earth stations -
Ocean INTELSAT and broadcast stations - 17
AM, 3 FM, 1 (36 repeaters) TV
Published as “Telephone system”
system is above average for Africa
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
- international:
- submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
NA telephones; system is above average system for Africa
local: NAintercity: domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and
and tropospheric scatter links
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; 1 satellite earth station for Indian stations
- 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
Region)
Published as “Telephone system”
system is above average for Africa
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
- international:
- submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
system is above average for Africa
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay,
tropospheric scatter links
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations
1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean
Published as “Telephone system”
system is above average for Africa
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
- international:
- submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
system is above average for Africa
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and
tropospheric scatter links
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - stations-11 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Published as “Telephone system”
system is above average for Africa
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
- international:
- submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
system is above average for Africa
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and
and tropospheric scatter links
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations-1
stations--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic
Ocean Region) region)
Published as “Telephone system”
system is above average for the region
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
- international:
- submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
system is above average for Africa the region
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay,
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth
stations--1
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links international: submarine cable to Bahrain;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
general assessment: system is above average for the region
The same text in 2002 and 2003.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links connect regions
- international:
- submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
general assessment: system is above average for the region
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links connect regions
international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
The same text in 3 editions, 2004 to 2006.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links connect regions
- international:
- country code - 261;
- submarine cable to Bahrain;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
general assessment: system is above average for the region
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links connect regions
international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region
- domestic:
- open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links connect regions
- international:
- country code - 261;
- submarine cable to Bahrain;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
general assessment: system is above average for the region
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links connect regions
international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region;
- Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed;
- have added more than 50,000 new fixed lines since 2005
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density only about 12 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 261;
- submarine cable to Bahrain;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2007)
general assessment: system is above average for the region region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have added more than 50,000 new fixed lines since 2005
domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, combined fixed-line and tropospheric scatter links connect regions mobile telephone density only about 12 per 100 persons
international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 2 (1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic - Atlantic Ocean region) (2007)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region;
- Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed;
- have added new fixed lines since 2005
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density about 25 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 261;
- submarine cable to Bahrain;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2008)
general assessment:
system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have added more than 50,000 new fixed lines since 2005
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density only about 12 25 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2007) (2008)
The same text in 2010 and 2011.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region;
- Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed;
- have been adding fixed line connections since 2005
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 30 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 261;
- SEACOM undersea fiber-optic cable and the Lion undersea cable connecting to Reunion and Mauritius;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2009)
general assessment:
system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have added new been adding fixed lines line connections since 2005
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density mobile-cellular teledensity about 25 30 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 261; submarine SEACOM undersea fiber-optic cable and the Lion undersea cable connecting to Bahrain; Reunion and Mauritius; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2008) (2009)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region)
general assessment:
system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have been adding fixed line connections since 2005 developed
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 30 40 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 261; SEACOM undersea fiber-optic cable and landing point for the Lion undersea cable connecting to Reunion EASSy, SEACOM, and Mauritius; LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2009)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2010)
general assessment:
system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 261; landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2010)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2010)
general assessment:
domestic:
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region; competition among the three mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 45 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2015)
general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but competition among the rest of three mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed mobile market
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 45 per 100 persons
international: country code - 261; landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2010) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region; competition among the three mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 45 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2016)
general assessment: system is above average for the region; competition among the three mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 45 per 100 persons
international: country code - 261; landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2015) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region;
- competition among the four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer;
- LTE services available (2017)
- domestic:
- less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 35 per 100 persons (2017)
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region);
- possible IOX cable in 2019 and Africa-1 cable in 2020 providing addidtional links and international cable systems (2017)
general assessment: system is above average for the region; competition among the three four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer; LTE services available (2017)
domestic: combined less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 45 35 per 100 persons (2017)
international: country code - 261; landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2016) region); possible IOX cable in 2019 and Africa-1 cable in 2020 providing addidtional links and international cable systems (2017)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region;
- competition among the four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer;
- LTE services available (2018)
- domestic:
- less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 35 per 100 persons (2018)
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)
general assessment: system is above average for the region; competition among the four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer; LTE services available (2017) (2018)
domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 35 per 100 persons (2017) (2018)
international: country code - 261; landing point points for the EASSy, SEACOM, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems; systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region); possible IOX cable in 2019 and Africa-1 cable in 2020 providing addidtional links and international cable systems (2017) region) (2019)
- general assessment:
- system is above average for the region;
- competition among the four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer;
- 3G and LTE services available;
- Telecom service tax raised to 10% (2020)
- domestic:
- less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 41 per 100 persons (2019)
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (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: system is above average for the region; competition among the four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer; 3G and LTE services available (2018) available; Telecom service tax raised to 10% (2020)
domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 35 41 per 100 persons (2018) (2019)
international: country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (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:
- penetration rates below African average;
- competition among mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and reduced consumer costs;
- 3G and LTE services available;
- fiber backbone connects major cities with wireless networks upgraded to LTE;
- government committed to free WiFi hotspots to ensure universal access;
- telecom service tax raised to 10%;
- investment in submarine cable to South Africa and Mauritius;
- importer of broadcasting and video equipment from China (2020)
- domestic:
- less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 41 per 100 persons (2019)
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (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: system is above average for the region; penetration rates below African average; competition among the four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer; reduced consumer costs; 3G and LTE services available; Telecom fiber backbone connects major cities with wireless networks upgraded to LTE; government committed to free WiFi hotspots to ensure universal access; telecom service tax raised to 10% 10%; investment in submarine cable to South Africa and Mauritius; importer of broadcasting and video equipment from China (2020)
domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 41 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (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:
- telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators;
- there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius;
- in addition, the country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, expected in late 2023, will provide it with links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France;
- a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities;
- in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024;
- various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office;
- penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential;
- much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services (2022)
- domestic:
- less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 57 per 100 persons (2020)
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (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: penetration rates below African average; telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition among mobile service providers has spurred recent growth between the main operators; there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius; in addition, the mobile market country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, expected in late 2023, will provide it with links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and reduced consumer costs; 3G south Africa, as well Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and LTE services available; France; a national fiber backbone connects has been implemented connecting the major cities with wireless networks upgraded to LTE; cities; in addition, the government committed to free WiFi hotspots has progressed with its five-year plan to ensure universal access; telecom service tax raised develop a digital platform running to 10%; investment 2024; various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office; penetration rates in submarine cable to South Africa all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and Mauritius; importer so there remains considerable growth potential; much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of broadcasting voice and video equipment from China (2020) data services (2022)
domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 41 57 per 100 persons (2019) (2020)
international: country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (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; 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:
- telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators;
- there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius;
- in addition, the country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, expected in late 2023, will provide it with links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France;
- a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities;
- in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024;
- various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office;
- penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential;
- much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services (2022)
- domestic:
- less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 56 per 100 persons (2021)
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)
general assessment: telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators; there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius; in addition, the country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, expected in late 2023, will provide it with links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France; a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities; in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024; various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office; penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential; much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services (2022)
domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 57 56 per 100 persons (2020) (2021)
international: country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (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:
- internet service is fast compared to other African countries, and telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators;
- there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius;
- in addition, the country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, which arrived in 2023, provides links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well as Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France;
- a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities, however much of the fiber in country has been installed by Huawei, which also manages data centers for the government;
- in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024;
- various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office;
- penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential;
- much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services (2022)
- domestic:
- less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 56 per 100 persons (2021)
- international:
- country code - 261;
- landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries;
- satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)
general assessment: internet service is fast compared to other African countries, and telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators; there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius; in addition, the country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, expected which arrived in late 2023, will provide it with provides links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well as Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France; a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities; cities, however much of the fiber in country has been installed by Huawei, which also manages data centers for the government; in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024; various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office; penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential; much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services (2022)
domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 56 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Madagascar: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/madagascar/telecommunication-systems.