For information on Burundi Telecommunications contact details, please see the following link: 4.8 Burundi Additional Service Provision Contact List.
Telecommunications
Services per Operator
- LUMITEL BURUNDI website: https://www.lumitel.bi/
- ECONET WIRELESS BURUNDI website: https://econet.bi/index.php/fr/
- SMART Burundi website: http://www.smart.bi/LetsTalk/
- ONATEL/ONAMOB website: http://www.onatel.bi/
The actual country coverage of telecommunications in Burundi is as follows:
Telephones - fixed lines
Total subscriptions: 24,840.
Phones - mobile cellular
Total subscriptions : 6,317,000.
Phone system
With its population density Burundi is an attractive telecom market in Africa for investors. The government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025; mobile operators have launched 4G and LTE mobile services to capitalize on the expanding demand for Internet access (2018).
Internet
Total users: 944,794. Internet service providers (ISP), High Speed Broadband Cable, Wireless, DSL Internet Service: Please consult the following link for more information.
The fiber optic national network is under construction since 2012 (Backbone Burundi System).
For more detailed information, please consult the following link.
Broadcast media
State-controlled Radio Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates a TV station and a national radio network; 3 private TV stations and about 10 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2019). Radio France International is available, as per BBC World Service, in both English and Kirundi. Foreign news coverage is licensed from French television. Burundi’s main news agency is the state-owned Association Burundaise de Presse. Newspaper circulation figures are tiny, and negligible outside Bujumbura. Le Renouveau is the government newspaper.
Burundi Postal Administration is under the authority of the Ministry of Communications, Information Technologies & Media. A Board of Directors, appointed upon proposal by the Minister, establishes the policy of the Postal Administration and decides on any issue submitted by the Management. The mission of the Postal Administration is to organize, manage and operate the mail collection and exchange network over the national territory and between the postal administrations of country members of the Universal Postal Union. The Postal Administration is now offering Internet Services, through the Cyber Post.
Telephone Services |
|
---|---|
Is there an existing landline telephone network? (Yes / No) |
Yes |
Does it allow international calls? (Yes / No) |
Yes |
On average, number and length of downtime periods |
Fairly stable depending on location |
Mobile phone providers (List) |
|
Estimated availability and coverage (Approximate percentage of national coverage) |
National |
Telecommunication Regulations
No restriction of communication equipment importation except for a VSAT, Mobile Satellite Phones, which requires approval and release by the ARCT (Agence de la Régulation des Contrôles de Télécommunications). Submission of declaration is also needed to clear the goods from the customs.
This should be obtained from the relevant ministries (Defense & Foreign Affairs).
Regulations |
||
---|---|---|
Regulations on usage or import of: |
Yes / No |
Regulating Authority |
Satellite |
Yes |
ARCT |
HF Radio |
Yes |
ARCT |
UHF/VHF/HF radio: handheld, base and mobile |
Yes |
ARCT |
UHF/VHF repeaters |
Yes |
ARCT |
GPS |
Yes |
ARCT |
VSAT |
Yes |
ARCT |
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required
Frequency Licenses Required
|
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
The UN Security Cell has implemented a VHF communication network covering the whole country. The UN agencies have their own channel and can use the existing communication network. Communication is not reliable due to the hills and mountains in the country, as several repeater stations need to be fixed to ensure better coverage of the country.
Organizations |
UNICEF |
WFP |
UNHCR |
WHO |
UNDP |
UNOPS |
IOM |
FAO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VHF frequencies |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
HF frequencies |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Repeaters (Locations) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
VSAT |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |