teleStream

Ethio Telecom's move into internet-based television developed from plans announced in 2022, when the state-owned telecommunications operator began seeking proposals for the development of a video-streaming platform. The initiative formed part of a broader attempt to extend the company's role from network connectivity into consumer and enterprise digital services. The resulting service, teleStream, launched on 20 February 2026 at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa. The event also presented Ethio Telecom's Zero-Touch Digital System for fixed broadband, placing the streaming platform within a wider program of network modernization and simplified service delivery. The launch was associated with the operator's Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 strategy, which seeks to accelerate digital inclusion and establish Ethio Telecom as a provider of advanced digital solutions rather than only a conventional telecommunications carrier. At introduction, teleStream carried more than 60 live television channels and over 350 video-on-demand titles. The service was designed to combine Ethiopian and international programming, with an emphasis on material considered relevant to local culture, values, and ethics. Parental controls were included as part of the consumer proposition. Access was designed around Ethio Telecom's own infrastructure: subscribers could use fixed broadband, including fiber connections, and could connect ordinary televisions through SIM-enabled set-top boxes. This approach avoided the need for a satellite dish and allowed the company to package television access with broadband service. A central part of the platform's technical rationale is local hosting. Content is delivered through Ethio Telecom's telecloud infrastructure rather than relying solely on external satellite distribution. The operator has associated this arrangement with lower latency and more stable service, including reduced exposure to weather conditions that can affect satellite reception. It also supports a strategic objective of reducing Ethiopia's dependence on foreign satellite services and the foreign-currency payments required for satellite capacity. In this sense, teleStream is both a consumer entertainment product and an infrastructure-based digital-sovereignty project. The platform was intended for several user groups. Residential customers could obtain television and on-demand content through fixed broadband packages or a set-top box. Educational institutions could use the service in remote learning and digital-library contexts, while healthcare facilities could distribute awareness and informational programming. Hotels and guest houses were identified as business users that could provide television services without installing and maintaining several satellite dishes. The initial commercial model combined hardware, subscriptions, and broadband integration. The launch information described a set-top-box price of approximately 1,600 Ethiopian birr, a discounted one-time subscription payment of 7,950 birr, and a 12-month installment plan beginning with a 1,590-birr payment. Activation was available through the Telebirr SuperApp. The platform's ability to scale depends on network coverage, compatible devices, programming rights, local content availability, and customer adoption. The reference material does not provide verified information about later subscriber numbers, profitability, content-rights agreements, or executive leadership.

1. 2026teleStream launches in Ethiopia

   The service launched on 20 February 2026 in Addis Ababa with live television, video on demand, broadband access, and SIM-enabled set-top boxes.

   Source
2. 2026Initial content and access model established

   At launch, teleStream offered more than 60 live channels and over 350 on-demand titles, with activation through fixed broadband packages and the Telebirr SuperApp.

   Source
3. 2022Ethio Telecom announces plans for a streaming platform

   Ethio Telecom began preparing to enter the video-streaming market and issued requests for proposals related to development of a streaming platform.

   Source

A locally hosted Ethiopian streaming and digital-television service positioned as a broadband-based alternative to satellite television and as part of Ethio Telecom's expansion into digital services.

• teleStream live televisionLive streaming2026

  The core teleStream service provides live television channels over Ethio Telecom's fixed broadband, fiber, 4G, and 5G infrastructure. At launch, the platform offered more than 60 channels and was positioned as a broadband-based alternative to satellite television. Delivery through local network infrastructure avoids the need for a satellite dish and is intended to offer more consistent access in supported areas.

• teleStream video on demandVideo on demand2026

  The video-on-demand catalog provided more than 350 titles at launch, combining locally relevant and international programming. The service emphasizes content aligned with Ethiopian cultural values and includes parental-control functionality. The catalog is delivered through Ethio Telecom's local telecloud infrastructure and is available as part of the platform's subscription and broadband-access model.

• teleStream SIM-enabled set-top boxConnected television hardware2026

  The SIM-enabled set-top box allows non-smart televisions to connect to teleStream. It is intended to broaden access beyond households that already own smart televisions and supports the platform's replacement of satellite-dish-based reception with connectivity through Ethio Telecom's network. The launch information reported an initial price of approximately 1,600 Ethiopian birr.

• 2026Launch teleStream as a domestic broadband television platformProduct launch

  Ethio Telecom sought to expand beyond basic telecommunications connectivity, reduce reliance on foreign satellite services, and use domestic infrastructure to deliver television and on-demand content.

  What changed. The operator launched teleStream with live channels, video on demand, fixed-broadband access, local telecloud hosting, Telebirr activation, and SIM-enabled set-top boxes.

  Aftermath. The service entered the Ethiopian market as an alternative to satellite television and as a component of Ethio Telecom's Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 digital-services strategy.

  Source
• 2026Use local infrastructure to support digital sovereigntyStrategy

  Foreign satellite services require satellite capacity and associated foreign-currency expenditure, while satellite reception can be affected by weather conditions.

  What changed. Ethio Telecom hosted teleStream content on its local telecloud infrastructure and distributed it through its broadband and mobile networks.

  Aftermath. The model was intended to reduce dependence on foreign satellite distribution, lower latency, improve service stability, and support local digital-service development.

  Source

• 2026Ethio Telecom launches teleStream video platform in Ethiopia

  Ethio Telecom introduced teleStream on 20 February 2026 in Addis Ababa. The platform launched with more than 60 live channels and over 350 video-on-demand titles, using the operator's broadband and local telecloud infrastructure.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2026teleStream introduced alongside Ethio Telecom's Zero-Touch Digital System

  The teleStream launch was paired with the unveiling of a Zero-Touch Digital System intended to support fixed-broadband service delivery, linking the streaming product to Ethio Telecom's wider digital-transformation agenda.

  Product launch
  Source

1. TeleStream (Ethio Telecom)