Malawi’s internet use remain poor – Report

Advertisement
Internet

Despite the world being in a technology era whereby the use of internet has been at an advanced stage, many Malawians are still failing to access the internet.

The report, Freedom on the Net 2016 released by American based think tank Freedom House, has described Malawians’ internet use to be partly fair due to obstacles blocking the strides of internet use.

Among the reasons preventing many Malawians from accessing the web include unprecedented inflation and currency depreciation that is fueling economic instability.

Internet
Internet usage remains poor in Malawi (Google image)

The report further points on poverty to be a factor pushing back the country on steps to achieve fair internet use in Malawi.

“According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), internet penetration stood at 9 percent in 2015, up from 6 percent in in 2014. Fixed broadband subscriptions are extremely rare. Mobile phone penetration is also low at 35 percent, compared to an average of 76.2 percent across the continent,” reads part of the report.

A previous study titled by Akamai ‘State of the internet’ noted that Malawi’s connection speeds are frustratingly slow, decreasing to an average of 1.7 Mbps from 1.9 Mbps a year prior, compared to a global average of 6.3 Mbps.

The Freedom House report also placed doubts on the county’s sole communication regulator Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority’s (MACRA) independence arguing that it is controlled by politicians, a development that is making the nation to remain stuck in achieving fair use of the net.

On Malawians’ freedom to use the net, the report noted that citizens are fairly free to do so though there are cases of state interference, citing the arrest of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials over a WhatsApp conversation.

Advertisement

26 Comments

  1. Data bundles are very expensive. Yes, we have a problem with power, but this should not be an excuse to the poor internet services. The black out is affecting Africa as a whole, not Malawi alone.

  2. We are content, being the poorest country in the world and all that. We are even surprised that we have internet access in Malawi.

  3. Shame,some of us we’re being publicised almost a week to dealth on social media

  4. my name is Matthew Mondwa and this is a testimony of how i got cure from HIV/AIDS, i have being suffering from hiv/aids for the past SIX years without the expectation of being cure, i was on ARV, despite the ARV i was not comfortable and there was nothing i could do because i knew and i was told by my doctor that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, my dream of getting cured came to past, one faithfull morning my son came to me and told me about what he saw on net of how someone was cured through the help of dr Abumen herbal medicine, i was advice its not real that there is no cure but something keep telling me to contact him, of which i later did and the cure was sent to me with an instruction on how to use it which i did accordingly and went for a test, to my greatest suprice the result was negative i could not hold back the tears of joy running down my chick my doctor was shocked, i thank God that am finanly cured from hiv/aids, DR Abumen is an herbal specialist that can cure hiv/aids, you can contact him through his email which is (doctorabumen@gmail) com or whatsapp his mobile number is +2347085071418.

  5. WELCOME TO DR.sule HOME OF SPIRITUAL SPELL Are you looking for any of the following-; 1)i need my ex back 2)i want man or woman to run after me 3)i need hiv cure 4) prophectic charm 5)power to perform signs and wonders 6)love spell 7)i want to win election 8)i want to win lottery jackpot 9)i want to tie my husband or my wife down to love me more than before 10)i want to be promoted in my working place 11)power against affliction 12)i want to win my court case 13)Hiv aids cure 14)power to protect your business 15)i am unable to bear a child 16)my man hood is not functioning 17)i am looking for a good husband or wife to marry(life partner) 18)any thing i do is not working 19)migical ring 20)i want to be rich you can contact me on facebook or whatsaap for, your demand but note that, you will be charged a little amount of money for me to be able to buy some items, to cast your spell for you and if you are not useing whatsaap add me on facebook i will answer you there my whatsaap number is +2348162447651 dont be decieved by any body these is dr sule him self thank you

  6. How do you expect us to acces internet when we don’t have an access of electricity?……..poor network, expessive internet bundles, Airtime everything is poor, so never expect us to progress!

  7. Malawi has engineers, technicians and information technology experts but they can’t come together to improve technology and invent something for Internet, only they meet in a pub drinking. They are just lazy and corrupt and the poor are hard workers in Malawi. Pathetic.

    1. amalawi tinazolowela kupempha malo mogwilisa tchito nzeru zathu kuti tipange chinachake,eti akufuna muma office poti ali ndi diploma,degree koma tchito zamanja…bwanji kuti avomelezedi kuti moyo umayambila pansi kumakwela.nane zambiri zimandikwana,zoona kwaeni kuni mandimu akupanga zakumwa pomwe kwathu mandimu timataya while anthu oziwa zimenezi aliko akuti sangapite mutchile kunyamula matumba amandimuwo.povuta kutukuka kwathuko tizingolozana zala.

  8. You Might Be Right, Nice Opinion. But What Do You Think Skould Be Done? And How Should That Be Done? Idea Sharing Is Better Than Just Being Informative Though With No Point On How.

Comments are closed.