Telecommunications in Chad include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet.
Radios: 1.7 million (1997).[needs update]
Television sets: 10,000 (1997).[needs update]
Radio is the most important medium of mass communication. State-run Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne operates national and regional radio stations. Around a dozen private radio stations are on the air, despite high licensing fees, some run by religious or other non-profit groups. The BBC World Service (FM 90.6) and Radio France Internationale (RFI) broadcast in the capital, N'Djamena. The only television station, Tele Tchad, is state-owned.[3][4]
State control of many broadcasting outlets allows few dissenting views.[3] Journalists are harassed and attacked. On rare occasions journalists are warned in writing by the High Council for Communication to produce more "responsible" journalism or face fines. Some journalists and publishers practice self-censorship. On 10 October 2012, the High Council on Communications issued a formal warning to La Voix du Paysan, claiming that the station's live broadcast on 30 September incited the public to "insurrection against the government." The station had broadcast a sermon by a bishop who criticized the government for allegedly failing to use oil wealth to benefit the region.[4]
Calling code: +235[1]
International call prefix:00[5]
Main lines:
Mobile cellular:
Telephone system: inadequate system of radiotelephone communication stations with high costs and low telephone density; fixed-line connections for less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of only about 35 per 100 persons (2011).[1]
Satellite earth stations:1Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011).[1]
Fixed broadband: 18,000 subscriptions, 132nd in the world; 0.2% of the population, 161st in the world (2012).[6][8]
Wireless broadband: Unknown (2012).[9]
IPv4: 4,096 addresses allocated, less than 0.05% of the world total, 0.4 addresses per 1000 people (2012).[10][11]
There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the government monitors e-mail or Internet chat rooms.[4]
The constitution provides for freedom of opinion, expression, and press, but the government does not always respect these rights. Private individuals are generally free to criticize the government without reprisal, but reporters and publishers risk harassment from authorities when publishing critical articles. The 2010 media law abolished prison sentences for defamation and insult, but prohibits "inciting racial, ethnic, or religious hatred," which is punishable by one to two years in prison and a fine of one to three million CFA francs ($2,000 to $6,000).[4]
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2024 ed.). CIA. (Archived 2014 edition.) This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of State.|
Telecommunications in Africa
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