Politics boosts Zimbabwe’s internet traffic

Zimbabwe’s drama-filled politics during the run up to the presidential and parliamentary election led to an increase in the usage of internet bandwidth

ZIMBABWE’S drama-filled politics has led to an increase in the usage of internet bandwidth, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has revealed.In its second quarter report, the regulator said international outgoing bandwidth usage went up substatially by 56,6 percent during the period to 24 733 megabits per second (mbps), from 15 790 mbps recorded in previous comparable period.
“The huge increase in used outgoing international internet bandwidth signifies an increase in local content accessed abroad. This may be attributable to the global interest in the local political environment,” Potraz said.
Since last November, when long-serving president Robert Mugabe resigned, there has been growing global interest in Zimbabwe’s politics.
During the quarter under review, Potraz said Liquid Telecom Zimbabwe saw a 125 percent increase in international outgoing bandwidth to 14 709 mbps, compared to 6 538 mbps recorded in prior comparable period.
On the other hand, state-owned TelOne reported a 1,2 percent increase to 5 930 mbps, from 5 860 mbps recorded in the previous comparable period.
Powertel saw a 22,2 percent increase to 3 410 mbps, compared to 2 790 mbps recorded in the previous prior period.
Dandemutande recorded a 13,1 percent increase to 648 mbps compared to 573 mbps.
Potraz said active mobile money subscriptions increased by 12,6 percent during the review period to 5,634 million, from 5,005 million driven by cash shortages in the country.
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