Mobile internet subscribers on Zimbabwe’s three mobile networks – Telecel, Econet and NetOne – have surged to over 2 million by the end of August this year, according to the country’s regulator.

Analysts, however, say the figure could be higher as the report by the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) does not include mobile internet connectivity offered by CDMA operators.

Firms such as Africom, Broadacom and state-owned Powertel offer mobile internet through CDMA based connectivity platforms.

The report, though, says that by the end of August, there were 2,159,694 mobile internet subscribers on Econet’s network while those connected through Telecel Zimbabwe were around 59,694.

Econet is the biggest telco in Zimbabwe with over 7 million network users while Telecel has just over 2 million active subscribers.

The smaller operator, NetOne, which is owned by the government, had 11 873 subscribers accessing the internet through its network. The company’s subscriber numbers are just below the 2 million mark.

The Potraz report shows that about 2,225,895 Zimbabweans in total are accessing the internet through mobile devices and using the three mobile networks. Zimbabwe has a population of about 13 million.

“We are making progress and if you are to consider those connected through the CDMA operators – they should also be accounted for in the data for mobile connections – then the figure is likely to be much more. It could be nearer to 3 million and this shows great utilisation of telecommunications services,” said a tech consultant, Tapiwa Mpofu.

Potraz has previously said that it is planning to boost the network outreach for the three mobile operators in the country through setting up 54 base stations in remote areas by the end of 2014. The base stations will be funded by money from the Universal Services Fund (USF), to which telecom companies contribute a portion of their revenues each year.

This is expected to also result in people in these areas accessing the internet through their mobile devices.

“The first phase (of the) project had eight terminal sites and three repeater sites while the second phase is targeting a total of 43 sites. Our target is to reach all underserved areas in Zimbabwe. The areas targeted and prioritized are remote rural areas,” Potraz director general, Alfred Marisa was quoted saying.