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Business Reporter  
Zimbabwe’s mobile penetration rate has reached 103,5 percent as the number of mobile subscribers grew to 13,5 million by December last year.
According to statistics for the third quarter to December 2013 compiled by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority mobile subscriber figures now stand at 13,5 million, while data and internet subscribers totalled 5,2 million. Fixed subscribers were at 307 000.

The mobile penetration rate stood at 103,5 percent, fixed mobile penetration rate was 2,4 percent and data and Internet at 39,8 percent during the period under review.

Compared to the March 2013 figures, the latest figures show that Econet Wireless grew the most adding 500 000 subscribers from 8 million in March to 8,5 million.

Telecel grew the least adding just over 100 000 subscribers from 2,43 million in March to 2,54 million while NetOne added 352 000 subscribers growing from 2,1 million to 2,45million in the same period.

GPRS/EDGE/2G/3G/HSDP internet technology had the highest number of subscriptions with over 5 million users followed by CDMA with 78 000.

XDSL had 20 000 while Wimax had 9 632 and Dial up connections had 8 902 subscribers.
Meanwhile, the subscriber base of all mobile, fixed and internet users is expected to register a positive growth this year.
According to statistics contained in the 2014 national budget statement, the subscriber base will grow by 4 percent on the back of product development and innovation.

“In 2014, the sector is expected to register a positive growth of 4 percent anchored by product development and innovation.
“Data and internet service are anticipated to be the major revenue drivers in the sector going forward with voice becoming complementary.

“This is reflected by a major investment shift towards expansion of broadband fibre network,” reads part of the budget statement.