Telkom’s fixed-line numbers the lowest since 1992
Telkom has released its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2015, revealing that its fixed-line subscriber numbers continue to decline.
[Also see: Telkom’s results explained in two slides]
Telkom’s results show that it currently has 3,439,000 fixed-line subscribers, down from 3,618,000 twelve months ago.
Despite this decline, the number of fixed access lines per employee remained unchanged at 188.
Telkom has battled to hold on to its fixed-line users since the year 2000, when its subscribers peaked at 5,493,000.
The steady decline over the last 15 years happened despite an economic boom from 2003 to 2007, and the launch of ADSL in late 2002.
Telkom previously explained the decline was caused by many factors, including competition from mobile services, copper theft, and tough economic conditions.
The following table provides an overview of Telkom’s fixed-line growth and decline since the early nineties.
| Telkom fixed-line subscriber numbers | ||
| Year | Fixed-line subscribers | Change |
| 1993 | 3,458,000 | – |
| 1994 | 3,594,000 | 136,000 |
| 1995 | 3,773,000 | 179,000 |
| 1996 | 3,926,000 | 153,000 |
| 1997 | 4,259,000 | 333,000 |
| 1998 | 4,645,000 | 386,000 |
| 1999 | 5,075,000 | 430,000 |
| 2000 | 5,493,000 | 418,000 |
| 2001 | 4,962,000 | -531,000 |
| 2002 | 4,924,000 | -38,000 |
| 2003 | 4,844,000 | -80,000 |
| 2004 | 4,821,000 | -23,000 |
| 2005 | 4,726,000 | -95,000 |
| 2006 | 4,708,000 | -18,000 |
| 2007 | 4,642,000 | -66,000 |
| 2008 | 4,533,000 | -109,000 |
| 2009 | 4,451,000 | -82,000 |
| 2010 | 4,273,000 | -178,000 |
| 2011 | 4,073,000 | -200,000 |
| 2012 | 3,995,000 | -78,000 |
| 2013 | 3,800,000 | -195,000 |
| 2014 | 3,618,000 | -182,000 |
| 2015 | 3,439,000 | -179,000 |
More on fixed-line numbers
Telkom haemorrhaging fixed line subscribers
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