From IT News Africa

Located in South-Central Africa, Zambia forms part of a region that is fast emerging as one with high growth prospects because of a strong technology base and increasing rates of adoption.

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) statistics reveal that in 2012 the number of mobile cellular subscriptions stood at approximately just over 10,5 million. In that year the percentage of people using the internet was 13,47%.

In research by the ITU, titled Measuring the Information Society 2013, Zambia is said to have registered a “significant increase in mobile-cellular penetration” – up from 61% in 2012 to 76% in 2012.

Zambia has also been identified as a country that has improved its ICT Development ranking over the past year.

Most recently, the country made inroads into the introduction and application of 4G/LTE technology, with one mobile operator, MTN, announcing the launch of the service nationally in January of 2014.

At the time MTN Zambia’s CEO Abdul Ismail was quoted in the local press as saying that the launch represented a significant step forward for the country’s mobile connectivity capability.

The country’s government has made connectivity and the rollout of relevant technology a priority, particularly in rural areas.

At the beginning of 2013 ZICTA or Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority stated its objective to install 144 towers in 118 Chiefdoms, reportedly at a cost of ZMK 240 billion, under the Universal Access and Service Project.

With connectivity being set aside as a key priority, the telecommunications sector is poised to play a more active role in helping achieve the objectives. It is made up of a number of fixed line and mobile operators, including Airtel, MTN, Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited and Zamtel.

Written by Chris Tredger | Read more at IT News Africa