By ETimes
HARARE – ZIMBABWE’S mobile internet traffic surged in the second quarter of 2025, propelled by heavier data consumption and rapid 5G expansion, yet analysts warn that rising operating costs and market concentration could dampen the boom.
In its second quarter report, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) indicated that mobile Internet/data traffic increased significantly by 14.14% from 114.02 Petabytes (PB) recorded in first quarter of 2025 to 130.14 PB in the quarter under review.
The regulator added that only Econet gained market share for Internet/data traffic by 1.32 percentage points in the quarter under review while rivals NetOne and Telecel lost ground.
POTRAZ attributed the jump to stronger networks and shifting consumer habits.
“Zimbabwe continues to experience significant Internet/data traffic increases following a global Internet traffic growth by an approximation of 17.2% in 2024,” reads the report.
“This has been attributed to mobile dominance, increased consumption of data-heavy content and continued rollout of high-speed network infrastructure as indicated by a 36.96% increase in 5G base station deployments among other factors in the quarter under review.”
The industry regulator stressed that total inbound roaming data traffic increased significantly by 40.89%, whilst outbound roaming data traffic declined by a notable 30.22%.
Data services are now the main money-spinner for mobile operators.
POTRAZ highlighted that internet/data services have become the biggest revenues contributor for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to the tune of 47.97% in the quarter under review.
This was underpinned by the popularity of streaming platforms such as Netflix, YouTube and TikTok.
While total revenue for Mobile Network Operators grew by 9.24% aggregate operating costs declined by 5.47% reflecting improved operating efficiency.
Total capital expenditure increased by 261% from ZWG423.81 million to ZWG 1.53 billion as operators race to expand high-speed networks.
With internet penetration climbing to 81.83% in the quarter under review and broadband usage rising, analysts see continued growth.
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