Official publication:
GSM>3G East & Central Africa e-Zine 22/01/07
Mobile Markets in East & Central Africa Growing Faster than Elsewhere on the Continent Mobile subscriptions in East and Central Africa exceeded 30 million at the end of 2006, according to Informa Telecoms & Media’s World Cellular Information Service (WCIS). This represented 16% of Africa’s total subscriptions, a figure that is forecast to rise to 20% by the end of 2011 when it is projected there will be more than 67 million users in this African sub-region.
The mobile markets of East and Central Africa are growing faster than those elsewhere on the continent, registering a 50% increase in subscriptions in 2006, compared with an increase of 43% for Africa as a whole and this gap is forecast to widen in 2007.
Kenya, Tanzania and DR Congo are among the 10 largest mobile markets in Africa and accounted for 56% of subscriptions in East and Central Africa in December 2006. Over the five years to December 2011, the mobile market in DR Congo is forecast to grow by 200%, the market in Tanzania by 109% and Kenya by 87% - all exceeding the forecast rate of 72% for the African continent as a whole over the same period.
The dynamism of these markets has generated great interest among investors, causing a number of international groups from the continent as well as from Asia, the Middle East and Europe to acquire operations in the region. A number of them will be present at GSM>3G East & Central Africa which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, on 16th and 17th May, to discuss their strategies in a special interview session.
Among other hot topics discussed at the event will be network evolution, and the opportunities that next generation networks bring to the markets. Although all mobile operators in the region have a mainly voice-centric services strategy, as they begin to migrate towards WCDMA and other data-optimised technology platforms this could change. By the end of 2007 WCDMA will have been deployed in Kenya, Tanzania and Sudan. In DR Congo the regulator has initiated consultations on 3G licensing, while the operators in the country are considering rolling out WiMAX.
The second day of the event will be divided into 2 streams, to look at new services on the one hand, and at networks on the other hand. The second stream will introduce presentations on alternative technologies to GSM (CDMA, WiMAX), and will include a special session on HSPA, organised in partnership with the GSM Association.
With a mix of new topics, high-level speakers, great networking opportunities, and a bigger-than-ever exhibition, GSM>3G East & Central Africa will provide a unique meeting place for the region’s decision-makers to discuss the future of the market.
Dates for your diary:
GSM>3G East Africa 2008 takes place at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya on 21-22 May 2008.
