Lesotho, a landlocked country situated within the borders of South Africa, has a diverse geography with highlands, plateaus and lowlands presenting unique engineering challenges. The population, numbering over 2 million, is predominantly rural with nearly 75% residing in countryside regions. This necessitates an extensive telecommunications infrastructure to connect disparate communities. Lesotho's telecommunications sector is gradually developing, with two primary cellular providers, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) and Vodacom Lesotho, offering services. The country boasts the first African network to offer a 5G broadband connection, an initiative by Vodacom Lesotho. However, the mountainous terrain and scattered population still pose obstacles for comprehensive coverage. In terms of energy, Lesotho is largely reliant on imported electricity from South Africa, though there is increasing focus on harnessing renewable energy sources, particularly hydropower and solar power, to improve energy security and rural electrification. The technology sector is in its infancy, with potential for growth and innovation.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 2 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) came into being following the merger between Telecom Lesotho and Econet Ezi ~ Cel Lesotho in April 2008. When Eskom Enterprises (Pty) Limited sold its shares to Econet Wireless Global, Econet became a majority shareholder with 70% shareholding while the Government of Lesotho remained with 30%. The Econet Group was established in 1993 by Strive Masiyiwa in Zimbabwe, with the name originally intended to be "Enhanced Communications Network" which was later shortened to Econet. The ownership of Econet Telecom Lesotho is under the Econet Group, which has made...
Vodacom Lesotho is a telecommunications company operating in the Southern African nation of Lesotho. Established in 1996, it is a subsidiary of Vodacom Group Limited, a South African-based mobile communications company. Ownership of Vodacom Lesotho is held by Vodacom Group Limited, which in turn is majority-owned by British telecommunications company, Vodafone.