ICT

Background

This is an emerging sector supported by the country’s transition to being an efficiency-driven economy where ICT plays a vital role. The Kingdom of Eswatini has embarked on a number of initiatives to spur the growth of this key sector such as e-government and the construction of the Royal Science and Technology Park. The digital migration programme of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) presents ample ICT opportunities in the country.

Performance

Indicators199920032005200820082012
Population (in millions) 0.98 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1
Main telephone lines per 100 inhabitants 3.0 3.5 4 4 5.4 7.5
Number of fixed operators 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of mobile operators 1 1 1 1 2 1
Mobile cellular subscribers per 100 inhabitants 4 10 13 53 68 72
Percentage of population covered by mobile
telephony		 13 70 90 91 93 95
Data communications operators 1 1 1 1 2 2
Internet service providers 2 6 7 7 7 7
Internet capacity (total bandwidth Kbytes) 256 2,500 6,500 36,000 16,000 512,000
Number of Internet subscribers per 100
inhabitants		 0.5 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
Total Broadband Internet subscribers n/a n/a n/a n/a 2,352 11,059
Number of PCs per 100 inhabitants 2.3 2.7 3.3 4.8 6 6.5
Percentage of localities with Public Internet Access Centres (PIACs) by number of
inhabitants (rural/urban)		 2 9 15*   14* 14*
Internet access tariff (20 hours per month) as a
percentage of per capita income		 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
% of households with Television sets 7 31 31 35 43 45**
% of households with radio   79 79 77 76 76

 * number of cafes nationally / ** figures obtained from projections

Sources: National Information and Communication Infrastructure Implementation Plan 2012 - 2016

Strengths

  • The fixed network is 100% digital and supported by a countrywide optical fibre network with self-healing capabilities via national rings.
  • Increased skills pool for the ICT sector through the introduction of IT courses in tertiary institutions.
  • The Kingdom of Eswatini has a relatively well-developed fibre optic backbone network (KPMG Africa region 2012/2013, Swaziland Country Profile)

Major Players

Investors
  • MTN Eswatini
  • Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation
  • Real Image
  • Data Network
  • Netcomm
Support and Regulatory Bodies
  • Swaziland Communications Commission
  • Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology

Useful Links

Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology

Address: P. O. Box 642, Mbabane, Swaziland
Tel: +268 2405 4000
Fax: +268 2404 1898
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Swaziland Communications Commission

Profile: ICT Regulator
Location: Cnr. Gwamile and Msakato Street
Address: P.O. Box 7811, Mbabane, Swaziland
Tel: (+268) 2406 7000/ (+268) 2405 4025
Fax: (+268) 2404 1898  

Web:  www.sccom.org.sz                                                      

 

Swaziland Post & Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC)

Profile: Post & telecommunication service provider
Location: Phutfumani Building, Mahlokohla St, Mbabane
Address: P.O. Box 125, Mbabane
Tel: (+268) 2405 2000
Fax: (+268) 2405 2001
Web: www.sptc.co.sz

MTN Swaziland

Profile: Cellular service
Location: Corner MR103 & Nshakabili Road, Ezulwini           
Address: P.O.Box 5050, Mbabane
Tel: (+268) 2406 0000
Fax: (+268) 2404 6217
Web: www.mtn.co.sz

Real Image Internet

Profile: Internet service provider and computer retail company
Location: Block C, Rhus Office Park, Mbabane
Address: P.O. Box 3517, Mbabane
Tel: (+268) 2409 1000
Fax: (+268) 2404 8333
Web: www.swazi.com

Data Network

Location: 1st house, 1st floor, Betfusile Street, Mbabane
Address: P.O. Box 213, Eveni
Tel: (+268) 2406 9000
Fax: (+268) 2404 9046
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.