Ethiopia

Mobile networks and carriers in Ethiopia use 1 GSM band, 1 UMTS band, and 1 LTE band. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work in Ethiopia. See the tables below for details.

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Ethiopia's mobile network has experienced significant growth and development in recent years. Historically, the country's mobile telecommunications sector was dominated by the state-owned Ethio Telecom, which held a 126-year monopoly on wired and wireless telecommunications and internet services until 2020. This monopoly was broken when the Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) issued an invitation for expressions of interest (EOI) to private telecom operators, attracting major international players like Vodacom, MTN, and Orange.

In 2021, Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC, a consortium comprising Safaricom, Vodacom, Sumitomo Corporation, and British International Investment, was awarded a nationwide, 15-year, full-service license. The consortium paid $850 million to the Ethiopian government as a license fee and committed to investing $8 billion over the next ten years to develop the country's communication infrastructure. Safaricom began operating in Ethiopia in October 2022, aiming to reach 25 cities and 25% of the population by April 2023.

Ethio Telecom, despite the new competition, has also been expanding its services. It launched a 5G mobile phone service to stay competitive and has seen significant growth in its mobile phone-based financial service, "Telebirr," which has attracted 27.2 million subscribers out of its 70 million total subscribers.

The mobile network in Ethiopia has made notable strides in terms of connectivity and accessibility. The country has a relatively large population of over 126 million people, which presents a significant market opportunity for technology companies. Despite challenges such as low internet penetration rates and limited access to finance for local entrepreneurs, there are many opportunities for technology companies in areas like e-commerce, mobile payments, and digital content.

Ethiopia's mobile network infrastructure includes fiber optic networks, satellite technology, and data centers, which are being strengthened to support the expansion of telecommunications services. The government has set ambitious goals for the ICT sector, aiming to become a middle-income country by 2025, largely driven by the ICT industry. The country's mobile network development is expected to continue growing, driven by both state-owned and private operators.

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Carriers

Name	# of frequency bands in use
Ethio Telecom	3

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Frequencies in use

GSM

Name	Interface
900 MHz (E-GSM)	GSM

UMTS

Name	Interface
B1 (2100 MHz)	UMTS

LTE

Name	Interface
B3 (1800 MHz +)	LTE

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