Ethio telecom or Safaricom Ethiopia: which network and package are you really using, and how reliable is it?

Options for getting online have changed a lot since 2022. Here is where things stand, according to recent reports. Ethio telecom - Launched commercial 5G in Addis Ababa in September 2023, starting with 145 sites. - Mid-2026 reporting says it has 10,613 mobile sites nationwide and 82.2% 4G/LTE population coverage. - Its 2026/27 plan targets 5G towns rising from 33 to 73, more fibre, and migration from copper to fibre. - Those are targets, not guarantees. Check which package is available at your address. Safaricom Ethiopia - First commercial service launched in Dire Dawa in 2022. Some outlets date commercial launch to October 2022. - A September 2026 report says it passed 15 million 90-day active subscribers, and M-PESA reached 5.2 million active customers in its 2026 financial year. - It reports more than 3,500 sites and coverage of roughly 60% of the population. Coverage is uneven, so check your neighbourhood. - Please do not rely on any forum claim. Check the Ethiopian Communications Authority before buying hardware. Prices change often, so check locally. Your turn: what are you on (mobile data, 5G home, fibre, Safaricom), what is the real-world speed and reliability in your area, and what would you tell someone moving to your neighbourhood?