Chapter One Foundation

15/08/2026

15/08/2026

Network Performance Summary – 14th August 2026

The assessment, based on 19 test runs, shows uneven network performance across Airtel, MTN and Zamtel. Significant differences between average and median results indicate that some exceptionally high or low results influenced the averages.

Airtel: Performance was generally stable, with video quality at 1152p, download speed at 85.7 Mbps, and latency at 77 ms. However, upload speed declined by 20% to 9.6 Mbps. Median results were considerably lower, particularly download speed at 7.6 Mbps.

MTN: Recorded very high average speeds, with download at 159 Mbps and upload at 138 Mbps. However, median speeds were much lower at 6.2 Mbps and 12.5 Mbps, respectively, indicating substantial variation. Average latency was also high at 226 ms, compared with a median of 67 ms.

Zamtel: Maintained a high average download speed of 170.1 Mbps, but experienced a significant decline in video quality to 386p and a 59% reduction in upload speed to 5.5 Mbps. Median download and upload speeds were only 4.7 Mbps and 1.8 Mbps, respectively.

Overall: The results suggest that average speeds did not consistently reflect the typical user experience. Airtel was relatively stable, MTN showed the greatest variation between average and median performance, while Zamtel experienced notable declines in video quality and upload speed. Continued monitoring is recommended to determine whether these variations are temporary or represent sustained changes in network performance.

Chapter One Foundation is monitoring the Internet Disruptions and Network performance as part of its broader efforts to strengthen electoral integrity, promote digital rights, and protect access to information in Zambia.

14/08/2026

Network Performance Summary – 13th August 2026

This summary presents the findings from 30 network performance (speed) tests conducted on 13th August 2026. Both average and median results are presented to provide a more reliable assessment, as averages can be influenced by outliers caused by devices, environmental conditions, speed-test interruptions, or random events along the Internet path to M-Labs.

Key Findings

Airtel: Airtel recorded an average video quality of 1152p, an 18% improvement from the previous period. Average download speed increased significantly by 990% to 99.2 Mbps, while upload speed remained stable at 12 Mbps and latency at 64 ms. However, the median download speed was considerably lower at 19.8 Mbps, indicating that a few very high results may have increased the average. Median upload speed was 8.9 Mbps, with median latency at 73 ms.

MTN: Video quality improved by 36% to 978p, while upload speed increased by 19% to 18.1 Mbps. However, average download speed fell sharply by 93% to 8.1 Mbps. Latency remained relatively stable at 54 ms. The median download speed of 2.9 Mbps confirms that low download speeds were common across the tests. Median video quality was 720p, upload speed 11.5 Mbps, and latency 57 ms.

Zamtel: Zamtel delivered the strongest and most consistent results. Video quality improved by 21% to 1200p, while average download speed increased by 94% to 198.5 Mbps. Upload speed remained stable at 13.5 Mbps, while latency improved by 30% to 69 ms. The median results matched the averages across all indicators, confirming that the strong performance was consistent rather than driven by outliers.

Overall performance was mixed across the three operators. Zamtel recorded the strongest and most consistent performance, with the highest download speed and matching average and median results. Airtel showed substantial improvement in average download speed and video quality, but its lower median download speed points to variability in performance. MTN improved in video quality and upload speed but experienced a significant decline in download performance, making download speed the main area requiring attention.

Website Availability

A total of 5,730 tests were conducted across 57 monitored websites in which 4,778 tests were uncensored, 331 tests recorded anomalies, 621 tests failed while zero tests confirmed website blocking.

Website availability was generally good, with the majority of tests completed successfully and without censorship. The failed and anomalous tests may have resulted from temporary network conditions, server availability, or other technical factors. No website was confirmed as blocked or censored.

Instant Messaging Applications

Facebook Messenger
Out of 230 test runs: 204 tests were uncensored, 26 were anomalous with zero confirmed blocked.

Telegram
Out of 231 test runs: 212 tests were uncensored, 19 were anomalous with zero confirmed blocked.

WhatsApp
Out of 232 test runs: 212 tests were uncensored, 20 were anomalous with zero confirmed blocked.

Signal
Out of 232 test runs: 208 tests were uncensored, 24 were anomalous with zero confirmed blocked.

All four applications—Facebook Messenger, Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal remained accessible, with most tests recording successful and uncensored access. While some anomalies were observed, there was no confirmed blocking or deliberate interference with any of the monitored platforms.

In conclusion the 13th August 2026 monitoring results indicate that Zamtel provided the strongest and most consistent network performance, while Airtel demonstrated significant improvement but with considerable variation in download speeds. MTN recorded improvements in video quality and upload speed but experienced a substantial decline in download performance.

Importantly, no monitored websites or instant messaging applications were confirmed to be blocked or censored. Continued monitoring will be important to determine whether the observed anomalies, failed tests and variations in network performance are temporary conditions or part of longer-term trends.

Chapter One Foundation is monitoring the Internet Disruptions and Network performance as part of its broader efforts to strengthen electoral integrity, promote digital rights, and protect access to information in Zambia.

14/08/2026

Network Performance from 11th –12th August 2026

The assessment presents findings from 29 network performance (speed) tests conducted between 11 and 12 August 2026. Both average and median results are presented to provide a more reliable picture of network performance. While averages can be affected by outliers caused by devices, environmental conditions, test interruptions, or variations along the Internet path, median values provide a better indication of the typical user experience.

Key Findings

Airtel: Average video quality declined by 11% to 98p, while download speed fell by 79% to 9.1 Mbps. Upload speed improved by 52% to 14 Mbps, while latency remained stable at 64 ms. Median results were 720p video quality, 5.9 Mbps download, 13.3 Mbps upload, and 61 ms latency.

MTN: Average video quality declined by 41% to 720p, while download speed increased by 57% to 110.5 Mbps—the highest average among the three networks. Upload speed remained relatively stable at 15.2 Mbps, with latency at 53 ms. Median results were 600p video quality, 7.2 Mbps download, 11.7 Mbps upload, and 53 ms latency, indicating significant variation across tests.

Zamtel: Recorded the strongest overall improvement. Video quality increased by 79% to 994p, upload speed rose by 86% to 15.8 Mbps, and latency improved by 49% to 53 ms. Download speed, however, declined by 17% to 102.4 Mbps. Median results were 1440p video quality, 14.5 Mbps download, 15.5 Mbps upload, and 48 ms latency.

In conclusion Zamtel demonstrated the strongest improvement, particularly in video quality, upload speed and latency, and recorded the best median results for video quality and download speed. MTN recorded the highest average download speed, but its significantly lower median suggests considerable variation between tests. Airtel improved in upload performance but experienced a substantial decline in download speed and video quality.

The differences between average and median results underscore the influence of outliers and variations across individual tests. Median results should therefore be considered alongside averages when assessing the typical user experience. Continued monitoring is recommended, particularly to track Airtel’s declining download performance and the consistency of download speeds on MTN and Zamtel.

Chapter One Foundation is monitoring Internet disruptions and network performance as part of its broader efforts to strengthen electoral integrity, promote digital rights, and protect access to information in Zambia.

14/08/2026

Network Performance from 6th –10th August 2026

This summary presents the results of 48 network performance (speed) tests conducted from 6 to 10 August 2026. Both average and median results are included to provide a more reliable assessment of network performance. Average results can be influenced by outliers arising from devices, environmental conditions, interrupted tests, or random events along the Internet path between users and M-Lab. Median results therefore provide a useful indication of the typical user experience.

Key Findings

Airtel: Video quality improved by 6% to 1105p, while average download speed increased significantly by 347% to 43.8 Mbps. Upload speed declined by 23% to 9.2 Mbps, while latency stood at 71 ms. Median results were 720p video quality, 10.0 Mbps download, 5.1 Mbps upload, and 70 ms latency.

MTN: Recorded a 1% improvement in video quality to 1217p. Average download speed increased by 548% to 70.6 Mbps, while upload speed rose by 80% to 16.2 Mbps. Latency improved to 61 ms, a 17% reduction from the previous week. Median results were 1260p video quality, 15.5 Mbps download, 18.1 Mbps upload, and 60 ms latency.

Zamtel: Video quality declined by 47% to 556p, while average download speed increased substantially by 627% to 123.6 Mbps, the highest among the three networks. Upload speed improved by 21% to 8.5 Mbps, while latency improved by 58% to 103 ms. Median results were 480p video quality, 13.8 Mbps download, 9.7 Mbps upload, and 66 ms latency.

Overall, all three networks recorded substantial improvements in average download speeds, with Zamtel recording the highest at 123.6 Mbps, followed by MTN at 70.6 Mbps and Airtel at 43.8 Mbps.

MTN delivered the strongest overall and most balanced performance, combining high video quality, strong download and upload speeds, and the lowest average latency at 61 ms. Airtel recorded significant growth in download speed but experienced declines in upload performance, while Zamtel achieved the highest average download speed but recorded the lowest video quality and highest latency.

The considerable gap between average and median download speeds across all three networks suggests that some high-performing tests influenced the averages. Median results therefore provide a more representative picture of typical user experience, with MTN demonstrating the strongest overall consistency during the reporting period.

Chapter One Foundation is monitoring the Internet Disruptions and Network performance as part of its broader efforts to strengthen electoral integrity, promote digital rights, and protect access to information in Zambia.

12/08/2026

On 8 August 2026, Chapter One Foundation, in collaboration with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), engaged the Sefula Community at Sefula market in Mongu District on the importance of voting and how to participate effectively in the electoral process ahead of the 13th August General Elections.

The engagement provided community members with practical information on how to vote and highlighted the importance of exercising their fundamental right to vote. Informed and meaningful citizen participation is essential to strengthening democratic governance and ensuring that citizens have a voice in shaping the leadership and future of their country.

Through its civic education and governance work, Chapter One Foundation continues to promote informed citizen participation and contribute to strengthening democracy and good governance in Zambia.

12/08/2026

📢COF Releases Its Sixth Internet Disruption Monitoring Report!

Chapter One Foundation (COF) has released its Sixth Internet Disruption Monitoring Report, covering the period 24th - 30th July 2026.

The report presents findings from Internet,
Website monitoring and Network performance conducted across 10 provinces of Zambia as part of efforts to safeguard digital rights and promote transparency ahead of the 13 August 2026 General Elections.

We encourage all stakeholders—including citizens, political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and state institutions—to read the report and engage with its findings: https://1drv.ms/b/c/424e590c72f41890/IQD7LFpXoxuUQqqGxeasPPyFASQ54wz0IzZR1xG9iZ9d_aQ?e=AfSkot

11/08/2026

Citizens need to take an active interest in understanding the laws that govern them—not just electoral laws, but all laws, because they have a direct impact on their rights, responsibilities and everyday lives - COF

11/08/2026

Let’s equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to take up leadership positions. Only then can we meaningfully talk about them holding the Executive accountable - Christopher Kango'mbe

11/08/2026

There is need to modernise our National Assembly - COF