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Quartercompared withAny of 46 quarters, Q3 2012 to Q1 2026

Base stations and network coverage in Zimbabwe

Where the networks have built, and how much ground they reach. POTRAZ counted 13,431 base stations across the three networks in Q1 2026, 46 quarters of figures in all.

13,431base stations across the three networks
38.5%2G
30.8%3G
3,7464G base stations

Base stations, 2G to 5G

13,431 base stations across the three networks in Q1 2026, up 12.5% on Q1 2025. 2G accounts for 38.5 of every 100.

Base stations, 2G to 5G, every quarter

Q2 2021 to Q1 2026 shown, of 46.

Up 48% between Q2 2021 and Q1 2026, from 9,045 to 13,431.2G is the largest part in Q1 2026, 38 of every 100, followed by 3G at 31 and 4G at 28. 2G held 55 of every 100 in Q2 2021.

The Q1 2026 total, part by part

13,431 base stations across the three networks

  • 2G38%
  • 3G31%
  • 4G28%
  • 5G2.8%
Out of every 100 in Q1 2026, 38 is 2G.3G is next at 31 of every 100, then 4G at 28.
The figures behind itDownload CSV
Quarter2G3G4G5G
Q1 20265,1694,1373,74637913,431
Q4 20255,1014,0523,58536613,104
Q3 20255,0333,9543,41831912,724
Q2 20254,9873,8783,29325212,410
Q1 20254,9623,7483,04718411,941

4G base stations, by network

3,746 4G base stations in Q1 2026, up 22.9% on Q1 2025. Econet accounts for 52.1 of every 100.

4G base stations, by network, every quarter

Q2 2021 to Q1 2026 shown, of 45.

Up 241% between Q2 2021 and Q1 2026, from 1,099 to 3,746.Econet is the largest part in Q1 2026, 52 of every 100, followed by NetOne at 47 and Telecel at 0.5. Econet held 66 of every 100 in Q2 2021.

The Q1 2026 total, part by part

3,746 4G base stations

  • Econet52%
  • NetOne47%
  • Telecel0.5%
Out of every 100 in Q1 2026, 52 is Econet.NetOne is next at 47 of every 100, then Telecel at 0.5.
The figures behind itDownload CSV
QuarterEconetNetOneTelecelAll networks
Q1 20261,9511,778173,746
Q4 20251,8251,743173,585
Q3 20251,7471,654173,418
Q2 20251,6981,578173,293
Q1 20251,6761,354173,047

5G base stations

379 5G base stations in Q1 2026, up 106.0% on Q1 2025.

5G base stations, every quarter

Q4 2021 to Q1 2026 shown, of 18.

379 in Q1 2026, against 0 in Q4 2021.It was highest in Q1 2026 at 379 and lowest in Q4 2021 at 0. That is up from 184 in Q1 2025.
The figures behind itDownload CSV
Quarter5G base stations
Q1 2026379
Q4 2025366
Q3 2025319
Q2 2025252
Q1 2025184

How much of the land each generation covers

61.8% of the land under 4G in Q1 2026, up 4.2% on Q4 2025.

How much of the land each generation covers, every quarter

Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 shown, of 3.

61.8% in Q1 2026, against 58.3% in Q3 2025.It was highest in Q1 2026 at 61.8% and lowest in Q3 2025 at 58.3%.
The figures behind itDownload CSV
Quarter2G3G4G5G
Q1 202683.06%75.90%61.80%15.95%
Q4 202581.70%75.40%59.30%15.90%
Q3 202589.70%74.60%58.30%15.60%

How many rural people each generation reaches

32.8% of rural people under 4G in Q1 2026, up 13.1% on Q4 2025.

How many rural people each generation reaches, every quarter

Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 shown, of 3.

32.8% in Q1 2026, against 28.1% in Q3 2025.It was highest in Q1 2026 at 32.8% and lowest in Q3 2025 at 28.1%.
The figures behind itDownload CSV
Quarter2G3G4G5G
Q1 202679.03%73.80%32.80%0.00%
Q4 202579.00%73.70%29.00%0.00%
Q3 202578.10%72.80%28.10%0.00%

Questions people ask

How many base stations are there in Zimbabwe?

13,431 base stations across the three networks in Q1 2026, the most recent quarter POTRAZ has published. That is up 2.5% on the quarter before. 2G is the largest, with 38.5 of every 100.

Which network has the most 4G base stations?

3,746 4G base stations in Q1 2026, the most recent quarter POTRAZ has published. That is up 4.5% on the quarter before. Econet is the largest, with 52.1 of every 100.

How many 5G base stations does Zimbabwe have?

379 5G base stations in Q1 2026, the most recent quarter POTRAZ has published. That is up 3.6% on the quarter before.

How much of Zimbabwe has 4G coverage?

61.8% of the land under 4G in Q1 2026, the most recent quarter POTRAZ has published. That is up 4.2% on the quarter before.

How many rural Zimbabweans can get 4G?

32.8% of rural people under 4G in Q1 2026, the most recent quarter POTRAZ has published. That is up 13.1% on the quarter before.

Where do these figures come from?

The quarterly sector performance reports published by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe. Every figure on this page is read out of the report for its own quarter. 55 quarters are held, from Q3 2012 to Q1 2026.

Read from POTRAZ, the sector performance reports, Q3 2012 to Q1 2026. Every source we read

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