196. New communication technology is also on the rise. The number of GSM mobile subscribers has grown from 16,168 in 2004 to 501,865 in 2016 (an average increase of about 40,474 subscribers per year). The system covers the whole country as proper facilities have been installed widely in most places but more effort is going on to expand the capacity of the system. Land line and fixed wireless technology also cover about 80% of the country. 197. Internet service started in a small and limited capacity in the year 2000 but the annual increment is substantial. The broadband width remains slow because Eritrea could not join the sea-based Fiber Optic Cable connection when it was launched 12 years ago for financial reasons at the time. But the Government has been negotiating with overseas companies and Fibre-optic based broadband internet access will be secured sometime soon. The prevailing low bandwidth and speed notwithstanding, there are no restrictions on internet access and internet cafés are preponderant everywhere. They provide service to the public with proper considerations of the national laws and have become useful medium for information tapping and exchange. The social media is also becoming more popular in particular among the youth, professionals and businesses. (iv) Social Security and Protection Social security and protection is promoted as an important requirement in the fulfillment of the economic, social and cultural rights of citizens, in particular among the vulnerable areas and social groups. The necessary institutional and legal framework is established and the National Pension Scheme (Proclamation 135/2003), the Public Sector Pension Scheme ( Proclamation 136/2003) and the Marty‟s‟ Survivors Benefit Scheme (Proclamation 137/2003) in particular have been legislated to back up the provisions stipulated in the Transitional Codes. In addition, the labor proclamation has provisions for various short-term benefits for invalidity, sickness, maternity, employment injury as well as family allowances. The Department of Social Security is established within the MOLHW to manage and monitor both the pension schemes and plight of the martyrs‟ families. Supporting Martyr’s Families The Martyr‟s Survivors Benefit Scheme (under Proclamation No 137/2003) is one of the biggest social protection programmes of the Government. It is run by the Hidri Trust Fund and spends an average of ERN 311 million (equivalent to about USD 20 millions) every year. An amount of ERN 4,046,137,757 (equivalent to about USD 269,742,517) has been spent during 2004 -2016. This in the first place provides monthly allowances to ensure decent life. This is implemented and monitored through all the offices and branches of the Ministry of Labor and Human welfare and in collaboration with local and regional administrations. Furthermore, the Government also promotes self-financing activities both as grant and through small credit schemes. To augment the effort, the Government has also allocated a third of the shares of several privatized state enterprises to the Hidri Trust Fund. 198. Page 47 of 100