Eritrea, a country located in the Horn of Africa, displays a varied topography with coastal plains, plateaus and highlands, potentially influencing the distribution of telecommunications infrastructure. The population is dispersed across rural and urban areas, with the capital city, Asmara, holding a significant percentage of the 3.6 million inhabitants. Eritrea's telecommunications sector is largely underdeveloped, with the state-run EriTel as the sole provider of telecommunications services, contributing to one of the lowest mobile and internet penetration rates in the world. The country faces unique challenges, including limited infrastructure, scarce resources and geopolitical tensions, which hamper the adoption of modern technology and renewable energy solutions. However, Eritrea has shown resilience by implementing low-tech, sustainable solutions which are suited to its unique circumstances, such as the use of solar power for rural electrification. This demonstrates an openness to innovative, contextually appropriate technologies that could potentially be expanded upon with international collaboration and investment.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 1 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
The Eritrea Telecommunications Services Corporation provides mobile services under the brand EriTel. Eritrea Telecommunications Services Corporation was founded in 1996 and began providing mobile services in March 2004, after a joint partnership with South African Ubambo Investment Holdings Limited.
The company has been in the process of rolling out a 3G network since 2014.