The rise of 3G – (ITU 2010 World ICT facts and figures)

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We just thought we would post here an ITU depiction of 3G connectivity world over from a report titled “The World in 2010, ICT facts and figures“. We were quite struck with how Zimbabwe compares to the majority of African countries.

Of course in 2010, Econet went on to launch 3G on it’s network and the other operators are working on similar offerings. Whether or not we’re getting true 3G speeds is of course another issue.

3G connectivity

Please note that the figures are based on ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators database and the 2010 figure is just an estimate.

14 comments

  1. Dotzwdotcom

    In Zimbabwe the graphics shows that we are still at 2G, Whilst we are told that we now have 3g by telecom operators in the country I think our technology must be something between 2 and 3g maybe 2.5g.

    1. Itai

      We have 3G, 3.5G and 4G here as at March 2011. The 2010 database is out of sync with the situation in the industry.

      In this instance the operator is not lying to the customer, please don’t sling the mud:-)

      1. Anonymous

        hey Itai, I don’t know man but I know what I’m getting is far from 3G. I use Telecel, Econet, Africom and used PowerTel for a bit a month or so ago. Have also used the Ecoweb 4G WiMax and by Ecoweb’s own admission, it was just 4G upto the Base station I was connected to; the rest they couldn’t guarantee. If what we have IS 3G & 4G then eish

        1. Zimstyles

          True we may not get 3G, but what I know is my connection between my phone and my base station is 3G. What you are reffering to is your backhual. Because my connection on my mobile is 3G, I can do things like make video calls.

        2. myambo

          The technology is 3G though speed is not as good as it should be for 3G.

      2. Drew

        This could be related to the coverage. if the zim operator are not covering atleast 80% of the country then it is only fair that we be regarded as a 2G country.

    2. Itai

      We have 3G, 3.5G and 4G here in Zimbabwe. The 2010 database is out of sync with the situation in the industry.

      In this instance the operator is not lying to the customer, please don’t sling the mud:-)

  2. me

    Well on Econet if you are using a smartphone the “3G” appears in your send and receive signal indicator.

  3. Masuka L

    This is an outdated report. How can Mozambique be better than us, when they put telephone lines on trees. No no. We are not at 2G as shown. If anyone is able to define what 3G is, the better. If what I learnt at university is correct then we have 3G here in Zimbabwe .

    1. Loenjoe

      I wonder which part of Zimbabwe the are in

  4. Loenjoe

    m using Telecel and I’m loving it

  5. Kurai

    the report is for 2010 but the actual research may back to 2008-10, so its possible that, then we were at 2g at that point. Now of course we are at 3g or 4g, whichever applies to where you are located. I still think that Edge and GPRS are still the predominant, with some locations getting 3G and HSDPA

  6. Hug

    2G is GSM. 2.5G is GPRS. 2.75G is EDGE.UMTS is 3G

  7. Nic82

    I think Econet has 3G on its network though its expensive … I get speeds ranging from 256kbps – 1Mbps though not constant….

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