TMCnet News

2008 African - Mobile Communications and Mobile Data Markets

[February 22, 2009]

2008 African - Mobile Communications and Mobile Data Markets

Report Summary Mobile phones represent around 90% of all telephone lines in Africa. The subscriber base is still growing at around 50% per year, but the growth curves are beginning to flatten in the continent's more mature markets, forcing operators to compete more aggressively on price, quality of service and by introducing new services. However, enormous further potential remains, with overall market penetration standing at little more than 30%, although the first African countries have recently broken the 100% barrier.

With their superior national coverage and large subscriber bases, Africa's mobile network operators have built up a level of market power to the extent that they have been called ¡®the new incumbents.' Newly introduced converged licensing regimes have increased the competitive pressure in a number of key markets but also allow the mobile operators to branch out into new service segments.

Due to Africa's poor fixed-line infrastructure, the mobile networks are beginning to play an increasing role in Internet service provision, following the launch of third generation mobile broadband services in a number of markets a welcome new revenue stream in an almost entirely prepaid environment of low average revenue per user levels.

Mobile banking is another emerging key trend that is revolutionising Africa's financial sector, where only a small percentage of the population has access to traditional bank accounts.

Key highlights Under a new service-neutral licensing regime, there are now at least ten networks in Nigeria offering mobile services; There are more 3G/HSPA mobile broadband users than ADSL subscribers in South Africa, mobile data revenue is growing at around 45% pa; South African mobile operators are rolling out national fibre optic backbone networks; 3G mobile broadband attained a 25% share of Morocco's broadband market in less than two years; More than 10% of Kenya's GDP now pass through the M-Pesa mobile banking service, which has more users than there are bank account holders in the country; The mobile operators in the Democratic Republic of Congo claim they generate 30% of the total tax income of the state; African mobile operators have taken a world lead role by abolishing international mobile roaming surcharges; Mobile ARPU has bottomed in many markets, rising again with mobile data services and streamlined operations.

Report Outline 1. Algeria 1.1 Overview of Algeria's mobile market 1.1.1 Mobile statistics 1.2 Regulatory issues 1.2.1 Registration of subscriber details 1.3 Mobile technologies 1.3.1 Third Generation (3G) 1.3.2 Mobile handsets 1.3.3 Low-cost brands 1.4 Mobile voice services 1.4.1 Satellite mobile 1.5 Mobile data services 1.5.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 1.5.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 1.5.3 GPRS/EDGE 1.5.4 BlackBerry (News - Alert) 1.5.5 Mobile broadband 2. Angola 2.1 Overview of Angola's mobile market 2.1.1 Mobile statistics 2.2 Mobile voice services 2.2.1 Satellite mobile 2.3 Mobile data services 3. Benin 3.1 Overview of Benin's mobile market 3.1.1 Mobile statistics 3.2 Government confrontation with MTN (News - Alert) and Moov 3.3 Satellite mobile 4. Botswana 4.1 Overview of Botswana's mobile market 4.1.1 Mobile statistics 4.2 Regulatory issues 4.2.1 Interconnection 4.3 Mobile content and applications 4.3.1 Mobile banking 5. Burkina Faso 5.1 Overview of Burkina Faso's mobile market 5.1.1 Mobile statistics 5.2 Mobile data services 6. Cameroon 6.1 Overview of Cameroon's mobile market 6.1.1 Mobile statistics 6.2 Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) 6.3 Mobile voice services 6.3.1 Satellite mobile 7. Chad 7.1 Overview of Chad's mobile market 7.1.1 Mobile statistics 7.2 Mobile voice services 7.2.1 Satellite mobile 8. Cote d'Ivoire 8.1 Overview of C?te d'Ivoire's mobile market 8.1.1 Mobile statistics 8.2 Mobile data services 8.3 Satellite mobile 8.3.1 Mobile Internet 9. Democratic Republic of Congo 9.1 Overview of the DRC's mobile market 9.1.1 Mobile statistics 9.2 Regulatory issues 9.2.1 GSM licence conditions, fees and taxes 9.3 Mobile data services 10. Egypt 10.1 Overview of Egypt's mobile market 10.1.1 Telecom Egypt's mobile deal 10.1.2 Third mobile licence 10.1.3 Mobile subscriber statistics 10.2 Regulatory issues 10.2.1 Tariff structure 10.2.2 International gateways 10.2.3 Mobile Number Portability (MNP) 10.2.4 Registration of user details 10.3 Mobile voice services 10.3.1 Prepaid services 10.3.2 Satellite mobile 10.4 Mobile data services 10.4.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 10.4.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 10.4.3 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 10.4.4 GPRS and EDGE 10.4.5 Mobile TV 10.5 3G 10.6 Mobile content and applications 10.6.1 Mobile banking 11. Ethiopia 11.1 Overview of Ethiopia's mobile market 11.1.1 Mobile statistics 11.2 Mobile technologies 11.2.1 3G 11.3 Mobile data services 11.4 Mobile voice services 11.4.1 Satellite mobile 12. Gabon 12.1 Overview of Gabon's mobile market 12.1.1 Mobile statistics 12.2 Mobile voice services 12.2.1 Prepaid cards 13. Gambia 13.1 Overview of Gambia's mobile market 13.1.1 Mobile statistics 13.2 Mobile voice services 13.2.1 Satellite mobile 13.3 Mobile data services 13.3.1 Mobile banking 14. Ghana 14.1 Overview of Ghana's mobile market 14.1.1 Mobile statistics 14.1.2 Fifth and sixth mobile licence 14.2 Regulatory issues 14.2.1 Licensing 14.2.2 Tariffs 14.2.3 Interconnect 14.2.4 Taxation 14.2.5 Mobile Number Portability (MNP) 14.3 Mobile technologies 14.3.1 Third Generation (3G) mobile 14.4 Mobile voice services 14.4.1 Prepaid services 14.4.2 Satellite mobile 14.5 Mobile data services 14.5.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 14.5.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 14.5.3 GPRS, EDGE, WAP 14.5.4 BlackBerry 14.5.5 Mobile TV 14.6 Mobile content and applications 14.6.1 Mobile banking 14.6.2 M-payments 15. Guinea 15.1 Overview of Guinea's mobile market 15.1.1 Mobile statistics 15.2 Regulatory issues 15.2.1 Interconnection 15.2.2 Per-second billing 15.3 Mobile voice services 15.3.1 Satellite mobile 15.4 Mobile data services 16. Kenya 16.1 Overview of Kenya's mobile market 16.1.1 Mobile statistics 16.2 Regulatory issues 16.2.1 Interconnection and tariffs 16.2.2 International gateways 16.2.3 Mobile Number Portability (MNP) 16.2.4 Quality of Service (QoS) control 16.2.5 Special regional tariffs 16.2.6 International roaming 16.3 Mobile technologies 16.3.1 Third Generation (3G) mobile 16.4 Mobile voice services 16.4.1 Prepaid cards 16.4.2 VoIP 16.4.3 Flashback 16.4.4 GSM community phones 16.4.5 Satellite mobile 16.5 Mobile data services 16.5.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 16.5.2 Multimedia Messaging (MMS) 16.5.3 GPRS and EDGE 16.5.4 Mobile Internet 16.5.5 Mobile TV 16.6 Mobile content and applications 16.6.1 M-payment 17. Lesotho 17.1 Overview of Lesotho's mobile market 17.1.1 Mobile statistics 17.2 Mobile technologies 17.2.1 Third Generation (3G) mobile 17.3 Mobile data services 18. Liberia 18.1 Overview of Liberia's mobile market 18.1.1 Mobile statistics 18.2 Regulatory issues 18.2.1 Licence reform 18.3 Mobile data services 19. Libya 19.1 Market overview and analysis 2008 19.1.1 Mobile statistics 19.2 Mobile voice services 19.2.1 Satellite mobile 19.3 Mobile data services 19.3.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 19.3.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 19.3.3 GPRS/EDGE 19.3.4 3G/HSDPA 19.3.5 Mobile TV 20. Madagascar 20.1 Overview of Madagascar's mobile market 20.1.1 Mobile statistics 20.2 Mobile voice services 20.2.1 Satellite mobile 20.3 Mobile data services 21. Malawi 21.1 Overview of Malawi's mobile market 21.1.1 Mobile statistics 21.2 Regulatory issues 21.2.1 Third and fourth mobile licence 22. Mali 22.1 Overview of Mali's mobile market 22.1.1 Mobile statistics 22.2 Mobile data services 22.3 Mobile broadband 22.3.1 WiMAX (News - Alert) 23. Mauritius 23.1 Overview of the Mauritian mobile market 23.1.1 Mobile statistics 23.2 Mobile technologies 23.2.1 3G 23.3 Mobile data services 23.3.1 Mobile broadband pricing 23.4 Mobile content and applications 23.4.1 Mobile TV 23.4.2 Mobile banking 23.5 Mobile broadband 23.5.1 WiFi (News - Alert) 23.5.2 WiMAX 23.5.3 EV-DO 24. Morocco 24.1 Overview and analysis of Morocco's mobile market 2008 - 2009 24.1.1 Mobile statistics 24.2 Mobile technologies 24.2.1 3G 24.2.2 TETRA (TErrestrial Trunked RAdio) 24.3 Mobile voice services 24.3.1 Satellite mobile 24.4 Mobile data services 24.4.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 24.4.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 24.4.3 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) 24.4.4 BlackBerry 24.4.5 Mobile TV 24.5 Mobile broadband 24.5.1 3G mobile broadband 25. Mozambique 25.1 Overview of Mozambique's mobile market 25.1.1 Mobile statistics 25.2 Regulatory issues 25.2.1 Third mobile licence 25.3 Mobile technologies 25.3.1 3G 25.4 Mobile data services 26. Namibia 26.1 Overview of Namibia's mobile market 26.1.1 Mobile statistics 26.2 Regulatory issues 26.2.1 Second mobile licence 26.3 Mobile technologies 26.3.1 3G 26.4 Mobile voice services 26.4.1 Satellite mobile 26.5 Mobile data services 26.5.1 Mobile TV 26.6 Mobile content and applications 26.6.1 Mobile banking 27. Nigeria 27.1 Overview of Nigeria's mobile market 27.1.1 Market analysis 2008 27.1.2 Mobile statistics 27.2 Regulatory issues 27.2.1 GSM licence terms 27.2.2 Interconnect 27.2.3 International gateways 27.2.4 Mobile tariffs 27.2.5 Per-second billing (PSB) 27.2.6 Unified licensing regime brings new competition 27.2.7 Universal service 27.2.8 Mobile number portability (MNP) 27.2.9 Central equipment identity register 27.2.10 Poor quality of service 27.3 Mobile technologies 27.3.1 Third Generation (3G) 27.4 Mobile voice services 27.4.1 Satellite mobile 27.5 Mobile data services 27.5.1 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 27.5.2 GPRS, EDGE 27.5.3 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 27.5.4 BlackBerry 27.5.5 Mobile banking (m-banking) 27.5.6 Mobile TV 27.5.7 Interactive TV (iTV) 28. Rwanda 28.1 Overview of Rwanda's mobile market 28.1.1 Mobile statistics 28.2 Mobile technologies 28.2.1 3G 28.3 Mobile content and applications 28.3.1 Mobile banking 28.3.2 M-payments 29. Senegal 29.1 Overview of Senegal's mobile market 29.1.1 Mobile statistics 29.2 Regulatory issues 29.2.1 Mobile number portability (MNP) 29.2.2 Registration of customer details 29.2.3 Per-second billing (PSB) 29.3 Mobile technologies 29.3.1 Third Generation (3G) 29.4 Mobile data services 29.4.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 29.4.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 29.4.3 GPRS and EDGE 29.4.4 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 29.4.5 BlackBerry 29.4.6 Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) 29.5 Mobile content and applications 29.5.1 Manobi 30. Sierra Leone 30.1 Overview of Sierra Leone's mobile market 30.2 Mobile licence awards 30.2.1 Mobile statistics 30.3 Mobile voice services 30.3.1 Satellite mobile 30.4 Mobile data services 31. South Africa 31.1 Overview of South Africa's mobile market 31.1.1 Mobile statistics 31.1.2 Market liberalisation and licence obligations 31.1.3 Community service telephones (CSTs) 31.1.4 Fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) 31.2 Regulatory issues 31.2.1 Prices 31.2.2 Interconnection 31.2.3 Handset subsidies 31.2.4 International gateways 31.2.5 Fees and obligations for 1800MHz spectrum 31.2.6 Registration of personal details 31.2.7 Mobile Number Portability (MNP) 31.3 Mobile technologies 31.3.1 Third Generation (3G) 31.3.2 Low-cost handsets 31.4 Mobile data services 31.4.1 Mobile data revenue 31.4.2 Short Message Service (SMS) 31.4.3 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 31.4.4 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 31.4.5 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) 31.4.6 Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) 31.4.7 BlackBerry 31.5 Mobile content and applications 31.5.1 Push-to-Talk (PTT) 31.5.2 Mobile Instant Messaging (IM) 31.5.3 Mobile TV 31.5.4 M-commerce 31.5.5 Mobile advertising 31.5.6 Mobile music 31.5.7 Location-based services (LBS) 31.5.8 CellBook 31.5.9 Manobi 31.6 Mobile broadband 31.6.1 3G mobile broadband 31.6.2 2007 survey of wireless broadband services 32. Sudan 32.1 Overview of Sudan's mobile market 32.1.1 Mobile statistics 32.2 Mobile technologies 32.2.1 Third Generation (3G) 32.3 Mobile voice services 32.3.1 Satellite mobile 32.4 Mobile data services 32.5 Southern Sudan 32.5.1 Network of the World (NOW) 32.5.2 Gemtel 33. Swaziland 33.1 Overview of Swaziland's mobile market 33.1.1 Mobile statistics 34. Tanzania 34.1 Overview of Tanzania's mobile market 34.1.1 Mobile statistics 34.2 Regulatory issues 34.2.1 Tariffs 34.3 Mobile technologies 34.3.1 3G mobile and WiMAX 35. Tunisia 35.1 Overview of Tunisia's mobile market 35.1.1 Mobile statistics 35.2 Mobile technologies 35.2.1 Third Generation (3G) 35.3 Mobile voice services 35.3.1 Satellite mobile 35.4 Mobile data services 35.4.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 35.4.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 35.4.3 Mobile Internet 36. Uganda 36.1 Overview of Uganda's mobile market 36.1.1 Mobile statistics 36.2 Regulatory issues 36.2.1 Tariffs 36.3 Mobile technologies 36.3.1 Third Generation (3G) 36.4 Mobile voice services 36.4.1 Satellite mobile 36.5 Mobile data services 36.5.1 Short Message Service (SMS) 36.5.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) 36.5.3 GPRS and EDGE 36.5.4 BlackBerry 36.5.5 Mobile TV 37. Zambia 37.1 Overview of Zambia's mobile market 37.1.1 Mobile statistics 37.1.2 Average Revenue per User (ARPU) 37.2 Mobile voice services 37.2.1 Satellite mobile 38. Zimbabwe 38.1 Overview of Zimbabwe's mobile market 38.1.1 Mobile statistics 38.2 Mobile technologies 38.2.1 Third Generation (3G) 38.3 Mobile voice services 38.3.1 Satellite mobile 39. Glossary of Abbreviations Tables Table 1 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Algeria 1995; 1997; 1999 - 2008 Table 2 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Algeria March 2008 Table 3 Djezzy GPRS pricing 2008 Table 4 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Angola March 2008 Table 5 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Angola 1995; 1997; 1999 - 2008 Table 6 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Benin 2007 Table 7 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Benin 1995 - 2007 Table 8 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Botswana March 2008 Table 9 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Botswana 1998 - 2008 Table 10 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Burkina Faso 2007 Table 11 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Burkina Faso 1996 - 2007 Table 15 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Cote d'Ivoire 2007 Table 16 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Cote d'Ivoire 1996; 1998; 2000 - 2007 Table 26 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Gambia 1995; 1997; 1999 - 2007 Table 27 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Ghana 2007 Table 28 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Ghana 1995; 1997; 1999 - 2007 Table 29 Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration in Guinea 1999 - 2007 Table 34 Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration in Liberia 2001 - 2007 Table 37 Mobile subscribers, penetration, traffic & revenue in Madagascar 1996; 1998; 2000 - 2008 Table 38 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Madagascar March 2008 Table 39 Orange Net mobile data pricing 2008 Table 40 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Malawi 1995 - 2008 Table 41 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Malawi March 2008 Table 44 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Mauritius 2007 Table 45 Mobile subscribers and penetration in Mauritius 1995 - 2007 Table 46 Cellplus mobile data pricing 2008 Table 47 Emtel mobile data pricing 2008 Table 48 MTML EV-DO pricing 2008 Table 49 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Morocco 1994; 1996; 1998 - 2008 Table 50 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Morocco March 2008 Table 51 Maroc Telecom GPRS pricing 2008 Table 52 Meditel GPRS pricing 2008 Table 53 3G mobile broadband subscribers by operator and market share June 2008 Table 58 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Nigeria 1998 - 2008 Table 59 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Nigeria 2007 Table 62 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Senegal March 2008 Table 63 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Senegal 1996; 1998; 2000 - 2008 Table 64 GSM licences issued in Sierra Leone Table 65 Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration in Sierra Leone 2000 - 2007 Table 73 Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change in Tanzania June 2008 Table 74 Mobile subscribers and penetration rate in Tanzania 1995 - 2008 For more information please visit http://www.chinaccm.com/4S/4S16/4S1607/news/20090213/111900.asp

As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]