Afghanistan
Telecommunications in Afghanistan
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming part of South Asia and Central Asia.
Region
Asia & Pacific
Southern Asia
Government Policy
Afghan Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
ITU Region
Region-3
Spectrum Regulator
Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority
ITU Analysis
Despite a challenging economic, social, geographic and security environment, Afghanistan has a competitive mobile market with a relatively high level of coverage.
Despite security, economic and geographical challenges, Afghanistan has made notable progress in extending access to the population, primarily through mobile communications, which have spread rapidly owing to a vibrant and competitive market.
Mobile Network Operators
The Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC) is Afghanistan's first wireless communications company and the founder of Afghanistan's wireless communications market.
Launched in 2002 by Mr. Ehsan Bayat, chairman of The Bayat Group, AWCC provides LTE, UMTS, and GSM, voice, data, internet and mobile payment services to more than five million business and consumer clients, located in all of Afghanistan's 34 provinces.
3G: Active
4G: Active
Etisalat Afghanistan is 100% owned subsidiary of Etisalat UAE. Etisalat is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and the leading operator in the Middle East and Africa, headquartered in the UAE.
Etisalat Afghanistan started its operations in Afghanistan in August 2007. The company is the fastest growing mobile phone company in Afghanistan.
3G: Active
4G: Not Available
Roshan (Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd) is Afghanistan's leading total communications provider with over 6.5 million active subscribers and a network that covers over 287 districts and cities in all of the country's 34 provinces.
3G: Active
4G: Not Available
Afghan Telecom, branded as Salaam, is a mobile network operating in Afghanistan. Incorporated in 2013, the company activated its first services in February 2014. Afghan Telecom was previously government owned until being turned into a private entity in 2005, with 80% ownership sold to private investors in 2008.
3G: Active
4G: Not Available