Afghani CommunicationsBy: Melanie Suson, Heather Haney and

Grayson Gerlich

Overview

Afghanistan is rated very low world-wide on the various communication indicators. This holds true with most indicators except cellular phones. Afghanistan has a high majority of the population with access to cellular service. Overall however, the amount of communication industry is negligible.

Telephones (main line)There are currently 140,000 main line telephones in use within Afghanistan.

This rates it 137th in the world in terms of phones in use.

Most rural areas are completely without main line communications.

Telephones (cellular)The cellular telephone area is the one place where Afghanistan is rated in the top 90 countries.

There are currently 13 million cell phones in use, even some in rural areas.

This ranks Afghanistan 55th.

More on Cellular Phones

Due to limited access to main line telephones, more and more Afghanis use cell phones.

55% have access to mobile service, and 85% live within the area provided by Afghanistan’s largest provider.

Radio BroadcastingRadio is a popular way to be entertained, and is well provided.

Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) operates several state-owned radio stations.

There are around 150 private radio providers, and close to a dozen international stations, some in different languages.

TV BroadcastingFewer television stations are available, due to the cost of TV.

The RTA operates several state-owned stations along with 50 other stations.

There are once again around 12 international stations.

InternetInternet is not widely available in Afghanistan, and some rural areas have never experienced connectivity.

There are only 121 internet hosts in Afghanistan, ranking it 203rd, or last, in the world.

Internet (continued)

Despite limited connectivity, there are currently 1 million internet users in Afghanistan, who mainly reside in Kabul or other major cities.

This ranks in 98th in the world in terms of internet users.

Internet (notes)

The 1 million users account for only about 3% of the entire population, making them a definite minority.

Access to internet is growing however, due to a growth in things such as internet café’s and public telekiosk’s.

Sources

CIA World Factbook

Google Images