The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Africa
Telecommunication systems Zambia, in 35 editions.
The entry for Zambia published Telecommunication systems in 35 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2024. The text changed in 23 editions. Each is shown as published. Telecommunication systems in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 23
- 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
Same as 2023The same text in 1990 and 1991.
Published as “Telecommunications”
- facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- high-capacity radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- 71,700 telephones;
- stations--11 AM, 3 FM, 9 TV;
- satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; high-capacity radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; 71,700 telephones; stations--11 AM, 3 FM, 9 TV; satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
The same text in 1992 and 1993.
Published as “Telecommunications”
- facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- high-capacity microwave connects most larger towns and cities;
- broadcast stations - 11 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; high-capacity radio relay microwave
connects most larger towns and cities; 71,700 telephones; stations--11 broadcast stations - 11 AM, 3 5 FM, 9
TV; satellite earth stations--1 stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT
Published as “Telecommunications”
- facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- high-capacity microwave connects most larger towns and cities;
- broadcast stations - 11 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; high-capacity microwave
microwave connects most larger towns and cities; broadcast stations -
11 AM, 5 FM, 9
and 1 Atlantic Ocean
Published as “Telephone system”
NA telephones; facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- high capacity micrwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities
- international:
- 2 INTELSAT earth stations (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
NA telephones; facilities are among the best in
Sub-Saharan Africa; high-capacity Africamicrowave local: NA
intercity: high capacity micrwave radio relay connects most larger
towns and cities; broadcast stations - cities11 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV; satellite international: 2 INTELSAT earth stations - 1 (1 Indian Ocean INTELSATand 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
NA telephones; facilities are among the best inAfricalocal: NA Africaintercity: high capacity micrwave domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger
towns and cities
international: 2 INTELSAT satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1
Published as “Telephone system”
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic :
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharandomestic: domestic : high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger
towns and cities
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities
- international:
- satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africadomestic : domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger
towns and cities
international: satellite earth stations - 2 stations-2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
1 Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities
- international:
- satellite earth stations--2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan
Africa
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger
towns and cities
international: satellite earth stations-2 stations--2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and
and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperature terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most largercities cities; several cellular telephone services in operation; Internet service is widely available; very small aperature terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international: satellite earth stations--2 stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africaaperature aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
The same text in 2002 and 2003.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
The same text in 4 editions, 2004 to 2007.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation; operation and network coverage is improving; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment:
facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
domestic:
high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international:
country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
The same text in 3 editions, 2010 to 2012.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving;
- domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel
general assessment:facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa
domestic:
high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international:
country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- among the best in sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving;
- domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2010)
general assessment:
among the best in Sub-Saharan sub-Saharan Africa
domestic:
high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international:
country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2010)
The same text in 2015 and 2016.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- among the best in sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving;
- domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2010)
general assessment:
domestic:
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- among the best in sub-Saharan Africa
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving;
- domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
- international:
- country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2015)
general assessment: among the best in sub-Saharan Africa
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms
international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2010) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- among the best in sub-Saharan Africa (2015)
- domestic:
- high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities;
- several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving;
- domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas;
- Internet service is widely available;
- very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms (2015)
- international:
- country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2015)
general assessment: among the best in sub-Saharan Africa (2015)
domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms (2015)
international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- service is among the best in sub-Saharan Africa;
- regulatory approach promotes competition and a cohort of private sector service providers offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region (2018)
- domestic:
- fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas;
- 3 cellular telephone providers currently in operation plus several data only ISPs;
- fixed-line infrastructure has degraded significantly and is often being discontinued or replaced with fixed wireless service;
- Internet service is widely available via mobile or fixed wireless terminals (LTE and 3G), with FTTx in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations;
- fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 84 per 100 (2018)
- international:
- country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
Rewritten: too little of the 2018 text remains to mark the changes.
general assessment: service is among the best in sub-Saharan Africa; regulatory approach promotes competition and a cohort of private sector service providers offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region (2018)
domestic: fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas; 3 cellular telephone providers currently in operation plus several data only ISPs; fixed-line infrastructure has degraded significantly and is often being discontinued or replaced with fixed wireless service; Internet service is widely available via mobile or fixed wireless terminals (LTE and 3G), with FTTx in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations; fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 84 per 100 (2018)
international: country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
- general assessment:
- service is among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- regulatory promotes competition and is a partner to private sector service providers, offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region;
- investment made in data centers, education centers and computer assembly training plants;
- operators invest in 3G and LTE-based services;
- Chinese company Huawei is helping to upgrade state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services;
- 3 cellular telephone providers currently in operation, plus several data only ISPs;
- 1,010 towers project to soon be completed (2020)
- domestic:
- fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas;
- 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations;
- fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 96 per 100 (2019)
- international:
- country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
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: service is among the best in sub-Saharan Sub-Saharan Africa; regulatory approach promotes competition and is a cohort of partner to private sector service providers providers, offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region (2018) region; investment made in data centers, education centers and computer assembly training plants; operators invest in 3G and LTE-based services; Chinese company Huawei is helping to upgrade state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services; 3 cellular telephone providers currently in operation, plus several data only ISPs; 1,010 towers project to soon be completed (2020)
domestic: fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas; 3 cellular telephone providers currently in operation plus several data only ISPs; fixed-line infrastructure has degraded significantly and is often being discontinued or replaced with fixed wireless service; Internet service is widely available via mobile or fixed wireless terminals (LTE 3G and 3G), LTE with FTTx FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations; fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 84 96 per 100 (2018) (2019)
international: country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
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:
- service is among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- regulator promotes competition and is a partner to private sector service providers, offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region;
- investment made in data centers, education centers, and computer assembly training plants;
- operators invest in 3G and LTE-based services;
- Chinese company Huawei is helping to upgrade state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services;
- operators focused on improvements to towers (2020)
- domestic:
- fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas;
- 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations;
- fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 96 per 100 (2019)
- international:
- country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
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: service is among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; regulatory regulator promotes competition and is a partner to private sector service providers, offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region; investment made in data centers, education centers centers, and computer assembly training plants; operators invest in 3G and LTE-based services; Chinese company Huawei is helping to upgrade state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services; 3 cellular telephone providers currently in operation, plus several data only ISPs; 1,010 towers project operators focused on improvements to soon be completed towers (2020)
domestic: fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas; 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations; fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 96 per 100 (2019)
international: country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
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:
- following elections held in August 2021, the new government immediately established a Ministry of Technology and Science to promote the use of ICT in developing economic growth and social inclusion;
- this focus on ICT, and on telecoms in particular, has been central to government strategies for some years;
- as part of the Smart Zambia initiative, investment has been made in data centers, a computer assembly plant, ICT training centers, and a Smart Education program;
- these efforts have been combined with the extension of broadband access and improved connectivity to international submarine cables;
- in turn, this has resulted in a considerable reduction in fixed-line and mobile access pricing for end-users;
- mobile network operators continue to invest in 3G and LTE-based services, the government contracted to upgrade the state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services;
- delays in holding spectrum have stymied the development of 5G thus far;
- in mid-2021 the regulator completed a consultation of auctioning low, medium, and high band spectrum for 5G, aiming to provide sufficient spectrum to meet the anticipated increase in data traffic in coming years;
- fixed-line broadband services remain underdeveloped (2022)
- domestic:
- fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas;
- 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations;
- fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 104 per 100 (2020)
- international:
- country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
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: service is among the best following elections held in Sub-Saharan Africa; regulator promotes competition and is August 2021, the new government immediately established a partner Ministry of Technology and Science to private sector service providers, offering mobile voice promote the use of ICT in developing economic growth and Internet at social inclusion; this focus on ICT, and on telecoms in particular, has been central to government strategies for some years; as part of the lowest prices in the region; Smart Zambia initiative, investment has been made in data centers, education centers, and a computer assembly plant, ICT training plants; centers, and a Smart Education program; these efforts have been combined with the extension of broadband access and improved connectivity to international submarine cables; in turn, this has resulted in a considerable reduction in fixed-line and mobile access pricing for end-users; mobile network operators continue to invest in 3G and LTE-based services; Chinese company Huawei is helping services, the government contracted to upgrade the state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services; operators focused on improvements delays in holding spectrum have stymied the development of 5G thus far; in mid-2021 the regulator completed a consultation of auctioning low, medium, and high band spectrum for 5G, aiming to towers (2020) provide sufficient spectrum to meet the anticipated increase in data traffic in coming years; fixed-line broadband services remain underdeveloped (2022)
domestic: fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas; 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 96 roughly 104 per 100 (2019) (2020)
international: country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
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
The same text in 2023 and 2024.
- general assessment:
- following elections held in August 2021, the new government immediately established a Ministry of Technology and Science to promote the use of ICT in developing economic growth and social inclusion;
- this focus on ICT, and on telecoms in particular, has been central to government strategies for some years;
- as part of the Smart Zambia initiative, investment has been made in data centers, a computer assembly plant, ICT training centers, and a Smart Education program;
- these efforts have been combined with the extension of broadband access and improved connectivity to international submarine cables;
- in turn, this has resulted in a considerable reduction in fixed-line and mobile access pricing for end-users;
- mobile network operators continue to invest in 3G and LTE-based services, the government contracted to upgrade the state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services;
- delays in holding spectrum have stymied the development of 5G thus far;
- in mid-2021 the regulator completed a consultation of auctioning low, medium, and high band spectrum for 5G, aiming to provide sufficient spectrum to meet the anticipated increase in data traffic in coming years;
- fixed-line broadband services remain underdeveloped (2022)
- domestic:
- fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 100 per 100 (2021)
- international:
- country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
general assessment: following elections held in August 2021, the new government immediately established a Ministry of Technology and Science to promote the use of ICT in developing economic growth and social inclusion; this focus on ICT, and on telecoms in particular, has been central to government strategies for some years; as part of the Smart Zambia initiative, investment has been made in data centers, a computer assembly plant, ICT training centers, and a Smart Education program; these efforts have been combined with the extension of broadband access and improved connectivity to international submarine cables; in turn, this has resulted in a considerable reduction in fixed-line and mobile access pricing for end-users; mobile network operators continue to invest in 3G and LTE-based services, the government contracted to upgrade the state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services; delays in holding spectrum have stymied the development of 5G thus far; in mid-2021 the regulator completed a consultation of auctioning low, medium, and high band spectrum for 5G, aiming to provide sufficient spectrum to meet the anticipated increase in data traffic in coming years; fixed-line broadband services remain underdeveloped (2022)
domestic: fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas; 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 104 is 100 per 100 (2020) (2021)
international: country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables
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
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Zambia: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/zambia/telecommunication-systems.