Swaziland
Mobile networks and carriers in Swaziland use 1 GSM band and 1 UMTS band. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work in Swaziland. See the tables below for details.
Will your phone or mobile device work in Swaziland?
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Check device compatibilitySwaziland's mobile network has undergone significant development since the early 1970s. The mobile wireless industry started its evolution in the early 1970s, with cellular communication witnessing explosive growth from the mid-1990s. The first generation (1G) mobile wireless communication network was analogue and used for voice calls only. The second generation (2G) was introduced in Finland in December 1991, supporting digital technology and text messaging. MTN Eswatini was launched in 1998 during the 2G era, initially supporting voice calls and short message services (SMS) with data speeds of about 30-35 kbps through General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE).
In 2011, MTN Eswatini introduced 3G services, which significantly improved data speeds to 2 Mbps or higher, enabling broadband, digitized voice, and multimedia services. This was followed by the introduction of 4G/LTE services in 2016, further enhancing data speeds and capabilities. The network has been modernized with Huawei equipment, and eNode-B technology has been deployed to combine all generations in one equipment.
The mobile market in Swaziland has been characterized by a high mobile market penetration, with around 90% of the population covered by mobile broadband networks. However, the adoption of mobile broadband remains low, with a unique mobile broadband subscriber penetration rate estimated to be 35% in 2021. The usage gap is attributed to affordability issues, lack of digital literacy, and other factors related to relevance, safety, and security.
The government has taken steps to expand 4G/LTE networks to cover more of the population, particularly in rural areas, to narrow the digital divide. Additionally, measures to increase the demand for broadband services are being considered to recognize the crucial role of mobile broadband in socio-economic development and access to services.
Carriers
| Name | # of frequency bands in use |
|---|---|
| MTN | 2 |
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Frequencies in use
GSM
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| 900 MHz (E-GSM) | GSM |
UMTS
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| B1 (2100 MHz) | UMTS |
Latest updates
- 2024/08/09 - Carrier MTN updated.
