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Information, Communication, Technology and Media
OVERVIEW
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The role of the Technologies of Information and
Communication (TIC) is crucial in the development
of any nation. Their correct use can help gaining pro-
ductivity in all the sectors such as in banking, trans-
port, manufacturing, education, telecommunications
and more, generating well fare and revenues whilst
spreading knowledge and information.
Africa’s development in IT is far behind other conti-
nents: according to the International Telecommuni-
cation Union, by the end of 2010, Internet user pen-
etration in Africa reached 10,9%% while the world
average is 28,7% and developing countries reach an
average 21%.
In Angola, almost 3 decades of civil war have exten-
sively damaged the telecom infrastructure. Although
it was improved the recent years, the telecom sec-
tor remains underdeveloped and has to improve in
terms of coverage and quality of service. Angola will
have to promote and support the development of IT
and telecom to meet successfully the objectives of
the millenium.
According to the International Telecommunications
Network, only 3,28% of the Angolan population had
regular access to Internet in 2009.
4 companies have been granted fixed line operating
licenses but 3 are currently operating as Wezacom
does no longer operate:
The telecommunications industry has recently
opened to private investment as the authorities un-
derstands the benefits of establishing partnerships
with foreign experts to rebuild the telecommunica-
tions networks that have received US$ 750 million
investments over the 2002-2008 period. The inter-
national assistance and support came mainly from
France, Italy, Norway, China, Japan, Korea and Lux-
embourg and have greatly contributed to redevelop
the industry. Further US$ 1,2 Bn will be invested to
upgrade the cable network.
Conscious about the importance of the sector, the
Angolan authorities have granted 1,1% of its total
2011 budget to support the TIC developments. How-
ever, many improvements are necessary to reduce
the gap with the rest of the continent. In 2007, only
3 million of Angolans had access to a computer, only
two mobiles phone companies rule the market whilst
landline segment is under state rule.
The sector is regulated by the Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunications, Angola Telecom and INACOM,
regulatory authority for the sector that sets prices for
telecommunications services.
Angola Telecom received final denomination in 1992,
as a result of a merger between Enatel and Eptel.
Subsidiaries of Angola Telecom include the mobile
phone operator Movicel, Multitel, Elta and TVCabo.
Angola Telecom is going through a restructuring pro-
cess supported by international partners. The privati-
zation of Angola Telecom started in mid-2009 with
the sale of a majority of Movicel. With more than 6
million customers, privately owned Unitel is a the
second mobile phone operator.
Other more recent studies confirm similar trends for 2011
Source: ITU
Source: BuddeComm
Source: the International Telecommunications Network
Northern America
Oceania
Europe
Latin America
Middle-East
Asia
Africa
77,4%
61,3%
58,4%
34,5%
29,8%
21,5%
10,9%
Internet in the world
Penetration rate
Fixed lines
Mobile
Mobile broadland
Broadland Internet
1,64
43,84
2,76
0,11
Penetration rate (%)
Market
Fixed lines
Mobile
Internet
2
54
4
Penetration rate (%)
Market