Telecommunications in Eswatini includes radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet. Ownership and regulation Eswatini is one of the last countries in the world to abolish an almost complete monopoly in all sectors of its telecommunications market. Until 2011, the state-owned operator, Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications (EPTC), also acted as the industry regulator and had a stake in the country's sole mobile network, in partnership with South Africa's MTN Group. In a bid to enter the mobile market independently, SPTC transferred its stake in MTN and the regulatory authority to the government. In return, Swazi MTN received a 3G licence and the right to provide its own backbone network and international gateway. However, proposals have been made to reinstate SPTC's monopoly on the national backbone and the international gateway, and MTN is challenging SPTC in the courts over its move into the mobile market. Radio and television Radio stations: State-owned radio network with 3 channels, 1 private radio station (2007); AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2001); AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 1 (1998). Radios: 155,000 (1997). Television stations: State-owned TV station, satellite dishes are able to access South African providers (2007); 5 plus 7 repeaters (2001); 2 plus 7 repeaters (1997). Television sets: 21,000 (1997). Telephones Calling code: +268 International call prefix: 00 Main lines in use: 48,600 lines, 164th in the world (2012); 44,000 lines (2009); 38,500 lines (2001); 20,000 lines (1996). Mobile cellular: 805,000 lines, 160th in the world (2012); 732,700 lines (2009); 250,000 lines (2007); none (1996). Telephone system: a somewhat modern, but not an advanced system; single source for mobile-cellular service with a geographic coverage of about 90% and a rising subscriber-ship base; combined fixed-line and mobile cellular teledensity roughly 60 telephones per 100 persons in 2011; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay. Satellite earth stations: 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009). Mobile market penetration in Eswatini has been well above the African average, but subscriber growth has slowed in recent years. The average revenue per user (APRU) is one of the highest in Africa. The government is considering issuing another mobile licence to an international operator. Internet Top-level domain: .sz Internet users: 288,225 users, 141st in the world; 20.8% of the population, 143rd in the world (2012); 90,100 users, 162nd in the world (2009). Fixed broadband: 3,717 subscriptions, 165th in the world; 0.3% of