Lesotho - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Executive summary

Vodacom Lesotho launches LTE, capitalising on low fixed-line broadband penetration

Telecom services in Lesotho are managed by a privatised national operator, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL). There is effective competition in the mobile sector between South Africa-based Vodacom and ETL, though mobile market penetration remains below the regional average.

Fixed-line teledensity is also low, but the network has gained value since DSL broadband technology was deployed in 2007. In parallel, ETL has rolled out a CDMA2000 fixed-wireless network, upgrades with EV-DO technology, to provide fixed-line and wireless broadband services. In addition, the company has introduced a fixed-mobile convergence product based on its GSM network and capitalising on its multi-platform capabilities.

Vodacom was the first operator to introduce mobile broadband services in the country, based on HSPA technology. In parallel, the company has rolled out a WiMAX wireless broadband network. Several other internet service providers have rolled out their own wireless infrastructure. In late 2014 Vodacom also launched commercial services based on LTE technology.

Although landlocked, Lesotho has benefited from connectivity to the landing of several submarine fibre optic cables on the African east and west coasts, which saw bandwidth quadruple in 2012. Nevertheless, the improved international connectivity has not yet translated to lower broadband prices on the retail level.

Key developments:

ETL launches 100Mb/s FttP services; political disruption jeopardising investor confidence in Lesotho; Improved internet connectivity following landing of international cables; retail broadband prices remain high; relatively high mobile ARPU; regulator revokes BTL’s telecom licence; ETL invests in a GPON network; Universal Service Agency expanding base tower infrastructure in remote areas; report includes an updated fixed-line broadband table, operator data to Q1 FY2015; recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Telecom Lesotho, Econet Ezi-Cel, Vodacom Lesotho, Eskom, Comnet.

Estimated market penetration rates in Lesotho’s telecoms sector – end-2015 (e)

Market	Penetration rate
Mobile	97.8%
Fixed	3.4%
Internet	6.6%

(Source: BuddeComm based on various sources)

1. Executive summary
2. Key statistics
- 2.1 Country overview
3. Telecommunications market
- 3.1 Overview of Lesotho’s telecom market
4. Regulatory environment
- 4.1 Telecommunication Policy of 1999
  - 4.1.1 National Master Plan
- 4.2 Telecommunications Act of 2000
- 4.3 Regulatory authority
  - 4.3.1 Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA)
- 4.4 Telecom sector liberalisation in Lesotho
- 4.5 Licence fees
- 4.6 Universal Service Fund (USF)
5. Fixed network operator in Lesotho
- 5.1 Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL)
  - 5.1.1 Privatisation
  - 5.1.2 Services
  - 5.1.3 National telecom infrastructure
  - 5.1.4 Wireless local loop (WLL), CDMA2000 1x EV-DO
  - 5.1.5 Fixed-line statistics
6. International infrastructure
- 6.1 Satellite
- 6.2 Terrestrial and submarine fibre
7. Broadband market
- 7.1 Overview
- 7.2 Statistics
  - 7.2.1 Internet subscriber statistics
  - 7.2.2 Broadband subscribers
- 7.3 Lesotho’s ISP market
  - 7.3.1 Lesotho Office Equipment (LEO)
  - 7.3.2 Comnet
- 7.4 Broadband infrastructure
  - 7.4.1 ADSL
  - 7.4.2 WiMAX
  - 7.4.3 EV-DO
  - 7.4.4 WiFi
  - 7.4.5 Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP)
8. Mobile communications
- 8.1 Overview of mobile market
- 8.2 Mobile statistics
  - 8.2.1 Mobile subscribers
  - 8.2.2 Mobile broadband
- 8.3 Major mobile operators
  - 8.3.1 Vodacom Lesotho
  - 8.3.2 ETL
- 8.4 Mobile infrastructure
  - 8.4.1 GPRS and EDGE
  - 8.4.2 Third generation (3G) mobile
  - 8.4.3 Long-term Evolution (LTE)
  - 8.4.4 Satellite mobile
- 8.5 M-payment services
9. Digital Terrestrial TV (DTTV)
10. Related reports

Table 1 – Country statistics Lesotho – 2014 (e)
Table 2 – Fixed-line network statistics – 2015 (e)
Table 3 – Internet provider statistics – 2015
Table 4 – Internet and social media user statistics – 2015 (e)
Table 5 – Mobile statistics – 2015 (e)
Table 6 – National telecommunications authority
Table 7 – Historic - Fixed lines in service and teledensity in Lesotho – 1999 - 2004
Table 8 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity in Lesotho – 2005 - 2015
Table 9 – International bandwidth – 2005 - 2014
Table 10 – Historic - Internet users and penetration rate in Lesotho – 1999 - 2004
Table 11 – Internet users and penetration rate in Lesotho – 2005 - 2015
Table 12 – Fixed-line internet and broadband subscribers – 2002 - 2015
Table 13 – ETL capped DSL pricing – 2015
Table 14 – DSL broadband subscribers – 2012- 2015
Table 15 – Historic - Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Lesotho – 1999 - 2004
Table 16 – Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Lesotho – 2005 - 2015
Table 17 – Active mobile broadband subscribers – 2010- 2015
Table 18 – Vodacom Lesotho subscribers and churn rate – 2002 - 2015
Table 19 – Vodacom Lesotho ARPU – 2011 - 2015

Chart 1 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity in Lesotho – 2005 – 2015
Chart 2 – Internet users and penetration rate in Lesotho – 2005 – 2015
Chart 3 – Fixed-line internet and broadband subscribers – 2002 – 2015
Chart 4 – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2005 - 2015

Exhibit 1 – Map of Lesotho
Exhibit 2 – Eskom’s licence dispute

Related Reports

Focus Report Profile

Technologies

Broadband Fixed
Companies (Major Players)
Internet
Mobile & Wireless Broadband and Media
Mobile Communications (voice and infrastructure)
Regulations & Government Policies
Strategies & Analyses (Industry & Markets)
Telecoms Infrastructure

Number of pages 25

Status Current

Last updated 2 Sep 2015
Update History

Analyst: Henry Lancaster

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