Uganda telecoms market investing more in digital
Uganda recorded active smartphones on the network to be 6.6 million at the end of December 2019, according to the Uganda Communications Commission telecom market performance report 2020.
The slow migration from feature phone to smartphone conversion has caused low penetration; Smartphone penetration is under 25%.
The growth in telecommunication is reflected by a penetration of 66 lines per 100 i.e. 66% telephone density, of which 97% of total subscriptions remain mobile, while 3% are fixed.
The Government of Uganda introduced the National Broadband Policy. The policy aims to strengthen the role of broadband internet in the socio-economic transformation process. This aligns with the Uganda Vision 2040 by facilitating objectives derived from the National Development Plan (NDP II); “Strengthening Uganda’s Competitiveness for Sustainable wealth creation, employment and inclusive growth”.
In an effort to drive digital change, Airtel Uganda has established a strong range of partnerships with Mahindra Comviva, Huawei, Google, Facebook, Nokia, among others. Each corporation has contributed to the technological transformation of Uganda, while supporting Ugandan government efforts to provide broadband access and coverage across the country.
Airtel Uganda offers mobile fund transfers and banking services known as Airtel Payments Bank, to ease up money transfers.
The number of registered sim cards in the country was about 25.5 million in April 2020; this includes an estimated 11.5 million numbers for Airtel’s customers.
Airtel achieved 100% 3G and 100% 4G LTE in all of its locations, transforming Uganda’s telephone market and enabling the transition from voice to data and data to digital.
As such, telecom networks have expanded to all 127 districts, 211 counties, 14,66 sub-counties and 7,434 parishes serving nearly 97% of Uganda’s population.
How is the digital gap being closed? High-speed internet access is now available across Kalangala, Kiboga, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Kaabong, Kotido, Kanungu and Kiryandongo.
Broadband internet has a vital role in the country’s transformation, supporting every aspect of economic development. Airtel’s investment and modernization program facilitates this transformation.