Smartphone Revolution: Afghanistan's Slow But Steady Adoption

Mobile phone use is booming in Afghanistan, with about 150,000 new people subscribing to cell phone services each month since 2007. In 2022, the number of mobile subscriptions in Afghanistan was 22.8 million, a slight increase from the year before. This is one of the major success stories of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban, who banned the use of mobile phones.

Cell-phone use is booming in Afghanistan, with about 150,000 new subscribers each month

The telecommunication sector in Afghanistan is thriving, with four major service providers: Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), Roshan, Etisalat, and MTN. Over 85% of Afghans have access to telecom services, and the number of mobile-cellular subscriptions continues to rise. In 2022, Afghanistan had approximately 22.8 million mobile subscriptions, reflecting a steady increase over the years.

The expansion of cell phone usage in Afghanistan is particularly significant given the lack of a landline phone infrastructure in the country. This has resulted in a reliance on mobile phones as the primary means of communication. The availability of mobile services in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan further contributes to the growing popularity of cell phones.

The affordability of cell phone services in Afghanistan also plays a role in their increasing adoption. Calling rates are as low as 10 cents per minute, and phone cards can be purchased for as little as $1. This makes cell phones accessible to a wider range of people, including those in rural areas.

The impact of cell phones in Afghanistan goes beyond communication. The telecommunication and IT sector employs about 50,000 people, contributing to the country's economy and providing opportunities for trade within and outside the country. Additionally, cell phones have empowered individuals in remote areas, connecting them to the world and enabling them to access information and services previously unavailable.

70% of people in Afghanistan have access to a cellphone

Afghanistan has witnessed a rapid expansion in its telecommunications sector since the formation of the Karzai administration in late 2001. As of January 2021, the country had approximately 27 million mobile connections, translating to about 68.7% of the population having access to a cellphone. This figure represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year, with about 150,000 new subscribers each month, according to the country's communications minister.

The growth in mobile phone usage is one of the major success stories of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. The first mobile network was established in 2002, and by 2020, mobile coverage had reached 90% of the population. By the end of 2013, around 90% of the population had access to communication services, and as of early 2018, mobile phone penetration was estimated at 80%.

The availability of mobile phones has brought communication to poor villagers who rarely, if ever, used a telephone before. The telecommunication and information technology sector is crucial in fostering economic growth, trade, and employment in Afghanistan. The sector employs about 50,000 people and is essential for trade within the country and with other nations.

However, the return of the Taliban regime in 2021 has disrupted the progress of the telecom sector. The Taliban have been known to use mobile phones as a propaganda tool, sending video and text messages to deter support for the Afghan government and security forces. They have also imposed night-time bans on mobile services in certain regions. Additionally, the Taliban have destroyed transmission masts, causing significant financial strain on telecom companies and disrupting services for residents, the government, and businesses.

Despite these challenges, mobile phone usage in Afghanistan continues to be widespread, with multiple service providers offering 3G and 4G services.

The Taliban has used smartphones as a weapon to intimidate government soldiers

Cell phone use has been booming in Afghanistan, with about 150,000 people subscribing to cell phone services each month. In 2022, the number of mobile subscriptions in Afghanistan was 22.8 million, a slight increase from the previous year.

The Taliban has been quick to adapt to the digital landscape and has effectively used smartphones as a weapon to intimidate government soldiers. On August 14, 2021, a day before armed fighters swarmed into Kabul, a Twitter account associated with the Taliban posted a video of six nervous Afghan government soldiers surrounded by Taliban warriors. The post included a message in Pashto, one of the two main languages of Afghanistan, stating: "While the mujahedeen behave generously to soldiers, the children of the village threw stones at them and called them dogs. That's what happens in response to their atrocities."

Through text messages, social media, and encrypted apps, the Taliban have directly targeted government soldiers, depicting them as mercenaries and urging them to surrender or face consequences. They have also attempted to project an image of strength and moderation to the world, assuring the international community that they respect women and girls, within the boundaries of Islamic law.

The Taliban's social media strategy has been effective in intimidating the enemy and breaking their resistance without fighting. As the Taliban marched through the country, inviting government soldiers to surrender or die, tens of thousands complied without firing a shot.

The Taliban's use of smartphones and social media as weapons is a concerning development and it highlights the evolving nature of warfare and the importance of adapting to new technologies in military strategies.

The British Army banned soldiers from using their phones during deployment

Cell phone usage in Afghanistan has been on the rise since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. In 2007, the country's communications minister, Amirzai Sangin, stated that about 150,000 people subscribe to cell phone services each month, with no end in sight to the growth. As of 2023, there are over 17 million SIM card subscribers in the country, with four major service providers: Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), Roshan, Etisalat, and MTN.

Despite the popularity of mobile phones in Afghanistan, the British Army has banned soldiers from using their phones during deployment in the country. This ban is due to security risks and data leaks, as cell phones can be exploited by attackers to access sensitive information. In addition, the morale boost of a cellphone can undermine operational security. For example, researchers have used soldiers' social media posts to trace the movements of military units.

While the ban on phone usage may be challenging for soldiers and their loved ones, it is necessary to maintain operational security and protect sensitive information. Soldiers are provided with comprehensive briefings on how not to use mobile phones while on operations and are frequently told to disable any software that uses GPS to avoid detection by unwanted sources.

The Taliban banned the use of the internet and television during their rule

During the Taliban's first rule in Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001, the nation remained resolutely analogue. The internet was banned, alongside television, music, and other 'modern concepts' such as women having a role in society. The result was that most Afghans were cut off from the emerging online world.

The Taliban's ultra-conservative laws were implemented by the moral police, the amr bel ma’rof (Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice—PVPV). They would search vehicles for hidden tapes and video cassettes. Offenders might escape with a warning to spend time in the mosque and in service of religion. Others would be imprisoned, or experience public punishment.

Under the Taliban's policy of maximum control, international and regional media had little to no presence in the country, and local media was under the ubiquitous control of the Taliban's Islamic Emirate. The radio stations that remained on air were state-run and broadcast a limited number of programs, mainly consisting of propagandized accounts of international and national news and religion-focused content.

In the years since their ouster from Afghanistan, the Taliban's approach to media has changed dramatically. During their insurgency, they developed a complex media strategy that contributed significantly to their rapid military advance and takeover of Afghanistan by August 2021. They now use the internet and social media as a tool for control and to spread their influence.

The Taliban's current strategy builds on the ideological foundation from the 1990s, combined with a continuation of certain tactics and approaches adopted during two decades of insurgency. This includes the use of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok to cultivate virtual online communities, fundraise, recruit, and disseminate propaganda.

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