The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Africa
Telecommunication systems Somalia, in 35 editions.
The entry for Somalia 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”
- minimal telephone and telegraph service;
- radio relay and troposcatter system centered on Mogadishu connects a few towns;
- 6,000 telephones;
- stations--2 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station;
- scheduled to receive an ARABSAT station
minimal telephone and telegraph service; radio relay and troposcatter system centered on Mogadishu connects a few towns; 6,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; scheduled to receive an ARABSAT station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- minimal telephone and telegraph service;
- microwave and troposcatter system centered on Mogadishu connects a few towns;
- 6,000 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station;
- scheduled to receive an ARABSAT ground station
minimal telephone and telegraph service; radio relay microwave and troposcatter system
centered on Mogadishu connects a few towns; 6,000 telephones; stations--2 broadcast
stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station;
scheduled to receive an ARABSAT ground station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems (1993)
Rewritten: too little of the 1992 text remains to mark the changes.
the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled
by the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend on their own
private systems (1993)
Published as “Telecommunications”
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems (1993)
the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled
dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend
on their own
Published as “Telephone system”
- NA telephones;
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems (1993)
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- NA
- international:
- NA
NA telephones; the public telecommunications system
was completely destroyed or
relief organizations depend
local: NA
intercity: NA
international: NA
Published as “Telephone system”
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems
- domestic:
- recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
NA telephones; the public telecommunications system
completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all
relief organizations depend on their own private systems (1993)local: NA domestic: recently, local cellular telephone systems have beenintercity: NA established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international: NA international connections are available from
Mogadishu by satellite
Published as “Telephone system”
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems
- domestic:
- recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international :
- international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
the public telecommunications system was
destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all
organizations depend on their own private systems
domestic: recently, local cellular telephone systems have been
established in Mogadishu and in several other population centersinternational: international : international connections are available from
by satellite
Published as “Telephone system”
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems
- domestic:
- recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
the public telecommunications system was completely
destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief
organizations depend on their own private systems
domestic: recently, local cellular telephone systems have been
established in Mogadishu and in several other population centersinternational : international: international connections are available from Mogadishu
by satellite
Published as “Telephone system”
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems
- domestic:
- recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
the public telecommunications system was completely
completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief
relief organizations depend on their own private systems
domestic: recently, local cellular telephone systems have been
established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international: international connections are available from Mogadishu
Mogadishu by satellite
Published as “Telephone system”
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems
- domestic:
- recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
the public telecommunications system was
domestic: recently, local cellular telephone systems have been
international: international connections are available from
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- all relief organizations depend on their own private systems domestic: recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers international: international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
general assessment: the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend on their own private systems
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend on their own private systems wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: recently, local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international: international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international: international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
The same text in 3 editions, 2004 to 2006.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international: country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;
- private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international: country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by during the civil war factions; war; private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international: country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
general assessment:
the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic:
local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international:
country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
The same text in 2010 and 2011.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
- international:
- country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
general assessment:
the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic:
local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers
international:
country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite (2001)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
- international:
- country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America
general assessment:
the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic:
local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
international:
country code - 252; international connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
- international:
- country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America (2010)
general assessment:
the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic:
local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
international:
country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America (2010)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
- international:
- country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America (2010)
general assessment:service service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities cities, while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic:
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
- domestic:
- local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
- international:
- country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America (2012)
general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
international: country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America (2010) (2012)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging some of the lowest rates on the continent
- domestic:
- seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-line and Internet services
- international:
- country code - 252;
- Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America;
- this connection ended the country's expensive satellite-dependent Internet access (2016)
general assessment: the public telecommunications telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging some of the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established seven networks compete for customers in Mogadishu the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-line and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G Internet services in late 2012
international: country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America (2012) America; this connection ended the country's expensive satellite-dependent Internet access (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging some of the lowest rates on the continent (2016)
- domestic:
- seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-line and Internet services (2016)
- international:
- country code - 252;
- Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America;
- this connection ended the country's expensive satellite-dependent Internet access (2016)
general assessment: the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging some of the lowest rates on the continent (2016)
domestic: seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-line and Internet services (2016)
international: country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America; this connection ended the country's expensive satellite-dependent Internet access (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging some of the lowest rates on the continent;
- Al Shabaab Islamic militant group has forced closure of Internet services in some parts of the country;
- new telecom regulatory sector in place (2018)
- domestic:
- seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector;
- some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services;
- fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 60 per 100 (2018)
- international:
- country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (2019)
general assessment: the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging some of the lowest rates on the continent (2016) continent; Al Shabaab Islamic militant group has forced closure of Internet services in some parts of the country; new telecom regulatory sector in place (2018)
domestic: seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-line fixed-lines and Internet services (2016) services; fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 60 per 100 (2018)
international: country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa with Europe and North America; this connection ended the country's expensive satellite-dependent Internet access (2016) Europe (2019)
- general assessment:
- the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities;
- mobile sector has 7 networks improving the telecom sector along with submarine cables ending the expensive satellite dependency for Internet access;
- Al Shabaab Islamic militant group has forced closure of Internet services in some parts of the country;
- new telecom regulatory sector in place (2020)
- domestic:
- seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector;
- some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services;
- fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 49 per 100 (2019)
- international:
- country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (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: the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities, while charging some of cities; mobile sector has 7 networks improving the lowest rates on telecom sector along with submarine cables ending the continent; expensive satellite dependency for Internet access; Al Shabaab Islamic militant group has forced closure of Internet services in some parts of the country; new telecom regulatory sector in place (2018) (2020)
domestic: seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services; fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 60 49 per 100 (2018) (2019)
international: country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (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:
- the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed during years of civil war;
- private companies offer limited local fixed-line and wireless service in most major cities;
- early 2020 landing of DARE 1 submarine cables in Mogadishu and Bossaso eased dependence on expensive satellite dependency for Internet access;
- in 2019, Al Shabaab Islamic militant group forced closure of Internet services in some parts of the country;
- new telecom regulatory sector in place (2020)
- domestic:
- seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector;
- some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services;
- fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 49 per 100 (2019)
- international:
- country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (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: the public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the years of civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities; mobile sector has 7 networks improving the telecom sector along with early 2020 landing of DARE 1 submarine cables ending the in Mogadishu and Bossaso eased dependence on expensive satellite dependency for Internet access; in 2019, Al Shabaab Islamic militant group has forced closure of Internet services in some parts of the country; new telecom regulatory sector in place (2020)
domestic: seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services; fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 49 per 100 (2019)
international: country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (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:
- Somalia’s economic difficulties in recent years have made it difficult for telcos and the government to sustain investment in infrastructure;
- the government has also had to contend with militant groups which continue on occasion to force the closure of internet services in many areas of the country;
- in recent years, though, the government has addressed the lack of guidance which had prevailed since 1991, when a dictatorial regime was overthrown;
- the National Communications Law was passed in October 2017, aimed at setting a legal and regulatory framework for the telecoms sector, while provision was made in the following year to set up a regulatory authority to oversee the telecom sector;
- more recently, three types of licenses were mandated to provide clarity to operators, and to bring the market closer into line with international standards;
- all operators were given until August 2020 to secure one of the three license types;
- given the poor condition of fixed-line infrastructure, operators have concentrated on mobile connectivity;
- their investment plans have involved the development of LTE services to provide mobile data and broadband services;
- the telecom market has flourished;
- tariffs are among the lowest in Africa, and new cable systems coming on stream in the next few years, as well as planned investments from local operators to bolster the country’s national fiber backbone, will lead to downward pressure on retail pricing;
- on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices are under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes as the remnants of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remain and as global events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continue to play out;
- the market is continuing a positive growth trajectory, supported by a slow economic rebound in the country (2022)
- domestic:
- seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector;
- some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services;
- fixed-line is less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 56 per 100 (2020)
- international:
- country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (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: Somalia’s economic difficulties in recent years have made it difficult for telcos and the government to sustain investment in infrastructure; the government has also had to contend with militant groups which continue on occasion to force the closure of internet services in many areas of the country; in recent years, though, the government has addressed the lack of guidance which had prevailed since 1991, when a dictatorial regime was overthrown; the National Communications Law was passed in October 2017, aimed at setting a legal and regulatory framework for the telecoms sector, while provision was made in the following year to set up a regulatory authority to oversee the telecom sector; more recently, three types of licenses were mandated to provide clarity to operators, and to bring the market closer into line with international standards; all operators were given until August 2020 to secure one of the three license types; given the poor condition of fixed-line infrastructure, operators have concentrated on mobile connectivity; their investment plans have involved the development of LTE services to provide mobile data and broadband services; the telecom market has flourished; tariffs are among the lowest in Africa, and new cable systems coming on stream in the next few years, as well as planned investments from local operators to bolster the country’s national fiber backbone, will lead to downward pressure on retail pricing; on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices are under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes as the remnants of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remain and as global events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continue to play out; the market is continuing a positive growth trajectory, supported by a slow economic rebound in the country (2022)
domestic: seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services; fixed-line is less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 56 per 100 (2020)
international: country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (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:
- Somalia’s economic difficulties in recent years have made it difficult for telcos and the government to sustain investment in infrastructure;
- the government has also had to contend with militant groups which continue on occasion to force the closure of internet services in many areas of the country;
- in recent years, though, the government has addressed the lack of guidance which had prevailed since 1991, when a dictatorial regime was overthrown;
- the National Communications Law was passed in October 2017, aimed at setting a legal and regulatory framework for the telecoms sector, while provision was made in the following year to set up a regulatory authority to oversee the telecom sector;
- more recently, three types of licenses were mandated to provide clarity to operators, and to bring the market closer into line with international standards;
- all operators were given until August 2020 to secure one of the three license types;
- given the poor condition of fixed-line infrastructure, operators have concentrated on mobile connectivity;
- their investment plans have involved the development of LTE services to provide mobile data and broadband services;
- the telecom market has flourished;
- tariffs are among the lowest in Africa, and new cable systems coming on stream in the next few years, as well as planned investments from local operators to bolster the country’s national fiber backbone, will lead to downward pressure on retail pricing;
- on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices are under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes as the remnants of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remain and as global events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continue to play out;
- the market is continuing a positive growth trajectory, supported by a slow economic rebound in the country (2022)
- domestic:
- fixed-line is 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 52 per 100 (2021)
- international:
- country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (2019)
general assessment: Somalia’s economic difficulties in recent years have made it difficult for telcos and the government to sustain investment in infrastructure; the government has also had to contend with militant groups which continue on occasion to force the closure of internet services in many areas of the country; in recent years, though, the government has addressed the lack of guidance which had prevailed since 1991, when a dictatorial regime was overthrown; the National Communications Law was passed in October 2017, aimed at setting a legal and regulatory framework for the telecoms sector, while provision was made in the following year to set up a regulatory authority to oversee the telecom sector; more recently, three types of licenses were mandated to provide clarity to operators, and to bring the market closer into line with international standards; all operators were given until August 2020 to secure one of the three license types; given the poor condition of fixed-line infrastructure, operators have concentrated on mobile connectivity; their investment plans have involved the development of LTE services to provide mobile data and broadband services; the telecom market has flourished; tariffs are among the lowest in Africa, and new cable systems coming on stream in the next few years, as well as planned investments from local operators to bolster the country’s national fiber backbone, will lead to downward pressure on retail pricing; on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices are under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes as the remnants of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remain and as global events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continue to play out; the market is continuing a positive growth trajectory, supported by a slow economic rebound in the country (2022)
domestic: seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services; fixed-line is less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 56 is 52 per 100 (2020) (2021)
international: country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (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:
- Somalia’s economic difficulties in recent years have made it difficult for telcos and the government to sustain investment in infrastructure;
- the government has also had to contend with militant groups which continue on occasion to force the closure of internet services in many areas of the country;
- in recent years, though, the government has addressed the lack of guidance which had prevailed since 1991, when a dictatorial regime was overthrown;
- the National Communications Law was passed in October 2017, aimed at setting a legal and regulatory framework for the telecoms sector, while provision was made in the following year to set up a regulatory authority to oversee the telecom sector;
- more recently, three types of licenses were mandated to provide clarity to operators, and to bring the market closer into line with international standards;
- all operators were given until August 2020 to secure one of the three license types;
- given the poor condition of fixed-line infrastructure, operators have concentrated on mobile connectivity;
- their investment plans have involved the development of LTE services to provide mobile data and broadband services;
- the telecom market has flourished;
- tariffs are among the lowest in Africa, and new cable systems coming on stream in the next few years, as well as planned investments from local operators to bolster the country’s national fiber backbone, will lead to downward pressure on retail pricing;
- on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices are under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes as the remnants of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remain and as global events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continue to play out;
- the market is continuing a positive growth trajectory, supported by a slow economic rebound in the country (2022)
- domestic:
- fixed-line is 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 50 per 100 (2022)
- international:
- country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (2019)
general assessment: Somalia’s economic difficulties in recent years have made it difficult for telcos and the government to sustain investment in infrastructure; the government has also had to contend with militant groups which continue on occasion to force the closure of internet services in many areas of the country; in recent years, though, the government has addressed the lack of guidance which had prevailed since 1991, when a dictatorial regime was overthrown; the National Communications Law was passed in October 2017, aimed at setting a legal and regulatory framework for the telecoms sector, while provision was made in the following year to set up a regulatory authority to oversee the telecom sector; more recently, three types of licenses were mandated to provide clarity to operators, and to bring the market closer into line with international standards; all operators were given until August 2020 to secure one of the three license types; given the poor condition of fixed-line infrastructure, operators have concentrated on mobile connectivity; their investment plans have involved the development of LTE services to provide mobile data and broadband services; the telecom market has flourished; tariffs are among the lowest in Africa, and new cable systems coming on stream in the next few years, as well as planned investments from local operators to bolster the country’s national fiber backbone, will lead to downward pressure on retail pricing; on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices are under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes as the remnants of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remain and as global events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continue to play out; the market is continuing a positive growth trajectory, supported by a slow economic rebound in the country (2022)
domestic: fixed-line is 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 52 50 per 100 (2021) (2022)
international: country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (2019)
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Somalia: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/somalia/telecommunication-systems.