Zimbabwe mobile subscriptions dip, data soars

HARARE – ZIMBABWEAN operators’ revenues and mobile money subscriptions have declined during the first quarter of the year while an increase has

been noted in the usage of data.

According to latest statistics by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) revenues declined during the

from US$199,2 million to $179,8 million , a reduction of 9,7 percent during the period.

Mobile money subscriptions declined from a total of 3,3 million to 3,25 million due to cash liquidity crunch characterising the Southern African country.

POTRAZ also noted a slight decline in mobile penetration by 0,3 percent from the initial 94,8 percent recorded in the previous quarter However, data usage increased by 4,7 percent from 2,56 million GB to 2,68 million GB.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe retained its position as the country’s leading cellular company in the country.

From the total active mobile subscription of 12,97 million subscribers, Econet Wireless recorded 6,39 subscriptions, NetOne 4,8 million and Telecel managed over 2 million.

The regulator based its statistics from the population figure of 13,72 million.