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
Indicators | 1999 | 2003 | 2005 | 2008 | 2008 | 2012 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Swaziland Communications Commission Profile: ICT Regulator Web: www.sccom.org.sz
|
Swaziland Post & Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) Profile: Post & telecommunication service provider |
MTN Swaziland Profile: Cellular service |
Real Image Internet Profile: Internet service provider and computer retail company |
Data Network Location: 1st house, 1st floor, Betfusile Street, Mbabane |