Fixed Mobile Convergence

According to Blycroft Publishing’s latest marketing research report “Africa and Middle East Mobile Network Operators Directory,” there has been a 25 percent growth across the African mobile market with the activation of 74 million new subscribers. The report examined 214 networks across 193 pages of research.

 

Research analysts at the firm claimed the African mobile market stood at 296 million subscribers at the end of March 2008 and grew to 370 million mobile subscribers as of the fourth quarter of 2008, a remarkable 25 percent increase in the size of the market. This growth can be attributed to several factors including: the launch of 11 new networks within Bénin, Botswana, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan and Uganda; economic growth; and, proliferation of networks within Africa.

The company said the 11 networks, which include Zain in Ghana and Orange in Niger and Uganda, accounted for just 2.5 million subscribers; which means that 70 million other subscribers must be attributable to the most likely factors of economic growth and proliferation of networks within Africa.

 

“This market has been growing in potential for years,” said John Summers, editor of Africa & Middle East Telecom-Week. “With the world unable to invest in the usual economic markets the global powerhouses have been looking to the African continent. Money has been moving into the continent with big businesses moving in and investors realising potential gains to be had.”

 

The directory’s research looks at mobile markets in nations all across Africa, and as of May there were 163 mobile networks live across Africa using both global system for mobile communications and code division multiple access technologies.

 

“Mobile payments have also surged into the area due to migrant workers sending money back to family they have left behind,” said Summers. “At the same time African owned concerns have managed to keep a hand in this growth and directed funds back into communication networks, instead of foreign investors reaping all the rewards. Deep sea cables have also been laid increasing communication traffic volumes. Having stood so far behind Western Europe and its Middle East neighbours the African region is now ready for its turn at economic growth.”

 

The “Africa and Middle East Mobile Networks Directory 2009” is also volume one of Blycroft’s MNO Directory 2009 and has research on mobile markets in the Middle East region. The global directory is now in its third edition and analysts can find contact information for approximately 1,000 senior managers within volume one, as well as mobile subscriber data, market shares, ownership details and network technology information.

 

Recently, Telecomp Austria Group (TA AG) has reportedly announced that its fixed net segment was all set to launch a global service package for International Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) via its partner Telesat’s operated Telstar N11 satellite with a mission critical focus on all parts of the African continent. The fixed net segment estimates, provides, and manages Public Switched Telephone Network access, VoIP, wired broadband and Wi-B services, IT solutions, leased lines, electronic payment, and safety and security systems.