Internet penetration in Zambia is still low, says mobile network MTN.

This is according to a statement made by the company after it announced the second phase of its ‘MTN Appathon’ mobile application development competition.

Research firm BuddeComm notes that Zambia only has an internet penetration rate of 16% while the country has a mobile usage rate of 91% among its 14 million population.

And in a statement, MTN Zambia chief sales and distribution officer Amon Jere said there is a “wrong perception that data services are a preserve of the elite.”

Jere has further said that “there is need to remove barriers for penetration” while MTN is already attempting to do this by launching more 3G and 4G LTE networks.

“We are optimistic about our proposition as people will have easy access to information and improved communication between consumers, business and consumers and businesses to businesses as well as a tool for enhancing quality education,” he said.