BOOKSHELF-COMMUNICATION
Change the only constant in African telecoms
Published: 03-MAR-05
Amidst a flurry of new technologies like voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) and various wireless platforms
which promise to transform telecommunications,
mobile telephony remains the main drawcard
on the African continent, with the number of mobile subscribers
in Africa expected to reach more than 100 million by the end of
2005.
This is among the highlights contained in African ICT market
analyst BMI-TechKnowledge�s Communications Technologies
Handbook 2004. Now in its 13th edition, the publication is a
useful tool for those with an interest in
the African communications sector, as
it tracks the development and trends
across the telecommunications spectrum
on the continent.
Richard Hurst, editor of the handbook,
subscribers
has moderated slightly to roughly
40% for Africa, down from a 65%
annual growth rate over the past fi ve
years. This figure excludes South
Africa, which has matured to around
30% growth per annum.
�We have also seen
a massive interest
in fixed wireless technologies,
while the mobile telephony juggernaut
continues unabated,� says
Hurst, who describes his book as
�a cornucopia of information� in
respect of the 27 African countries
covered.
The editorial section of the
Handbook provides a trends and
development overview of issues affecting the
telecommunications industry across Africa. An important point
that the publishers make is that the emphasis in Africa is no
longer solely on telecommunications, but on the broader arena
of information and communications technologies (ICT).
But while Africa is said to present one of the most fertile
grounds for ICT investment anywhere in the world, the regulatory
environment in several of the surveyed countries is not
always the most enabling.
However, the VoIP wave takes little heed of existing regulations.
Where the technology is banned or heavily regulated� mostly in countries trying to protect the revenues of
an
established provider � the technology simply goes underground.
Some countries, like Mali, are cutting deals with VoIP operators
to offer services using the incumbent�s bandwidth.
An ongoing challenge in Africa remains that of universal access,
particularly in remote rural areas which are unappealing to
mainstream operators. This is explored in some detail, as are the
opportunities in southern and east Africa, where the mission to
deliver bandwidth seems to be the catch phrase.
Other issues explored include the use of wireless and wire
line solutions to extend coverage and the reach of telecommunications;
of telecoms in Africa; the state of the
Internet and IT markets in Africa;
and ICT as seen from the NEPAD
perspective.
Section Two of the book deals with
to offer a complete summary of 27
individual country markets, providing
country, as well as an analysis of the telecommunications
market and regulatory.
The selection of the countries
profiled
has been based on what BMI-T calls �a
attractiveness of the telecommunications
market to the reader.� What this means is
in Africa are thoroughly covered, we are
little the wiser to the smaller markets, where
technologies like mobile is no less.
It is certainly useful to be able to access
comprehensive data on the fixed and mobile network operator
profi les and performance indicators, including service offerings
and tariffs of network operators, internet indicators and internet
Service Provider profi les. An attempt to include the smaller fi sh
in the net in future editions would enhance the value of this
book even further.
For ordering information, contact BMI-TechKnowledge
at +27 11 540 8000 or visit the website www.bmi-t.co.za
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