The number of mobile phone subscribed users in Ethiopia has reached over 18 million, according to deputy prime minister and information and communications minister Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael. The minister also said that the government is trying to increase access to Information and Communication Technology in the country as well as improve its quality.

He made these remarks during the opening of the 2nd Annual Ethiopian ICT Entrepreneurship Conference on Monday, December 10^th. Dr. Debretsion said ICT infrastructure was expanding and now of the 18 million subscribers 3.4 million use the system to access internet service.

The aim was to be able to reach 45 million subscribers by the end of the 2014. He noted that wireless coverage of the country had now reached 73 percent.