BY TAURAI MANGUDHLA
Zimbabwe’s mobile internet and data traffic increased by 10,4% during the third quarter of 2021 to reach 25 882 terabytes (TBs), up from the 23 436TBs during the second quarter of 2021, underpinned by a Covid-19 induced consumption surge.
According to latest data from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), the higher demand saw companies like Dandemutande and Liquid expand internet bandwidth capacities by 29,9% and 19,7% respectively during the reporting period.
Potraz said mobile voice traffic recorded an overall growth of 19,3% during the period to 2,1 billion minutes, from 1,8 billion minutes during the second quarter.
This comes as corporates have been forced to decongest offices and individuals have been barred from intercity and non-essential travel for close to two years.
During the reporting period, out-of-bundle data constituted 5,4% of total mobile internet and data usage, up from 2,7% recorded during the second.
In the data usage category, NetOne and Telecel gained market share by 1,2% and 0,1% respectively, while Econet lost market share by 1,3%.
The report said a total of 13 935 233 active subscriptions were recorded as at 31 September 2021, representing a 3,4% growth from 13 481 527 recorded as at 30 June 2021.
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As a result, the mobile penetration rate increased by 2,2% to reach 93,5% in the third quarter of 2021 from 91,3% recorded in the second quarter.
Potraz said NetOne reported the largest growth on active subscribers at 6,3% while Econet recorded a 2,3% growth in active subscribers.
Telecel active subscribe numbers were near flat.
In terms of market share, Telecel and Econet lost market share by 0,1% and 0,7%, respectively, whereas NetOne gained market share by 0,8% to close the reporting period at 30,07% market share.
Potraz said total revenue by Internet Access Providers recorded a 10,2% growth.
It said operating costs grew by 4%, whilst capital expenditure also increased by 3,1%
Mobile operator revenues grew by 15,8% to record $19,5 billion, from $16,8 billion recorded in the second quarter of 2021.
“The growth in revenue is attributable to the growth in voice traffic as well as internet and data traffic. The revenue contribution of voice service declined whereas the revenue contribution of internet and data services increased,” said Potraz in the report.
“The revenue contribution of internet and data service has been consistently increasing as demand is consistently rising. An increase in out-of-bundle mobile internet and data traffic was recorded in the quarter under review and this had a positive impact on revenue,” added Potraz.
