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MBABANE - In the period under review, mobile subscriptions grew by 19 per cent from 1 279 599 to 1 524 629.

This was mentioned by Eswatini Communication’s Commission (ESCCOM) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mvilawemphi Dlamini. He said the market penetration also increased from 112 per cent to 131 per cent.

Mobile broadband connectivity also increased from 1 105 987 to 1 379 526, an increase by 25 per cent. Mobile broadband penetration increased from 96 per cent to 119 per cent.

ESCCOM Acting Chairperson

Bheki Ndzinisa said they were aware that the reporting period was a period when the whole world was still fighting COVID-19. He said during this period, they witnessed an increase in economic activities as containment measures for the COVID-19 pandemic were progressively relaxed and daily new infections trend downwards.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic had fundamentally changed the business environment in which they operate, and they have to constantly anticipate, adjust, adapt and strategise in response.

Ndzinisa said a number of universal service and access pro

grammes were carried out during this period, including specific focus on people with disabilities and the elderly.

He said specific projects were undertaken towards assisting children with disabilities.

“This was an effort by the commission to ensure that people living with disabilities are not left behind in the quest to advance digitisation and bridge the digital divide,” he said.

Ndzinisa added that during this period, they continued expanding network in underserved areas and also upgrading 2G sites to be compatible with current technological development, resulting in the expansion of broadband services in the underserved areas through the provision of LTE.