Broadcast Media Africa has learnt that Zambia has established fourth-generation (4G) internet as a standard to improve internet connectivity.
The strategy will conclude with the country removing 2G and 3G networks.
The intentions were presented by Felix Mutati, minister of science and technology, at the recently finished first Information and Communications Technology, Postal and Courier Services awards.
“We’re getting rid of 2G. We want all towers to have internet access,” the minister stated. “From now on, every tower will only be 4G and upwards internet-enabled.”
He stated that the development aligned with the government’s commitment to President Haikande Hichilema’s determination to use ICT as a catalyst to better Zambians’ lives.
The minister stated that internet access has improved by 5% in the last year, reaching 58 per cent by 2023.
Operators worldwide are abandoning 2G and 3G to make room for 4G and 5G.
The key participants in the Zambian mobile network industry are Airtel, MTN, and the state-owned Zamtel.
MTN was the first to launch 4G service in the country in 2014. The South African-based operator was also the first to launch 5G in 2022.
