Addis Ababa - Ethio telecom has introduced a new internet television platform, teleStream, marking a strategic pivot toward digital entertainment as Ethiopia’s media consumption habits evolve. The state-owned telecommunications giant is wagering that fibre-optic cables and mobile broadband — not satellite dishes — will define the future of the country’s broadcasting industry.

The platform offers more than 60 live television channels and 350 on-demand titles, accessible through both fixed fibre connections and mobile data networks. In announcing the launch, Chief Executive Officer Frehiwot Tamiru described teleStream as a modern viewing solution designed to expand access while reshaping the economics of content distribution.

For decades, Ethiopian broadcasters have relied heavily on costly satellite services, often requiring scarce foreign currency to lease transponders. TeleStream, executives say, provides a domestic alternative that reduces those expenses and allows local content producers to distribute programming directly through Ethio telecom’s infrastructure.

The company has embedded technology that converts conventional television sets into smart TVs, a move aimed at broadening adoption across income groups. By lowering hardware barriers, Ethio telecom hopes to accelerate digital inclusion while deepening household engagement with its broadband services.

The launch comes as the operator’s mobile subscriber base reaches 49 million, underscoring the rapid expansion of data connectivity in a country long constrained by limited infrastructure. With voice revenues plateauing globally, teleStream signals a deliberate shift toward diversified digital services, including entertainment, cloud solutions and mobile financial platforms.

To encourage early adoption, Ethio telecom is offering a 33 percent discount on annual subscription packages. Analysts view the initiative as both a commercial play and a policy-aligned effort to strengthen domestic media production while conserving foreign exchange — positioning the telecom monopoly at the center of Ethiopia’s digital transformation.