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.

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).

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.