New statistics from the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) confirm government reports that there is massive local demand for high speed mobile internet.

According to statistics, the number of Zambians using mobile internet has now reached 7,910,995 - up from 7.1 million in less than a year.

The increase is attributed to more affordable data service packages being rolled out by operators.

A 5GB data bundle now costs less than ZMK100, which previously would have only been enough to purchase less than 2GB.

MTN Zambia, Airtel Zambia and Zamtel all say the reduction is made possible by the increase in data penetration and the increase in the number of data customers.

Incentives being introduced include free data bundles for recharging phones.

This week state-owned Zamtel launched 4G technology on mobile on the Copperbelt.

Zamtel chief technical officer Freelance Bwalya said the primary objective of the launch was to ensure the company could handle increasing volumes of data because of the huge appetite for high speed internet.

Bwalya said the company is focused on accelerating the roll-out of 4G to more regions and ensuring that there is sufficient high speed mobile broadband coverage across the country.

"Our goal is not about keeping track of other operators but responding to the strong wave of data demand from data-hungry customers in the Copperbelt region," he added.

The number of mobile internet users is expected increase as operators expand and upgrade their networks to secure market share and attract more customers.