Africa - GSMA: Africa is the second largest mobile market

According to an official report released by the GSMA, Africa is now the second largest mobile market in the world. The report showed that over the past five years, Africa’s mobile subscribers has increased by 20 percent every year, and is expected to reach over 735 million subscribers by the end of 2012.

Asia stands as the largest global mobile market, but Africa is the fastest growing mobile market in the world.

The report calls on African governments to aid in expanding the mobile networks across Africa by allocating spectrum and lower taxes. The report says this would generate major economic and social growth.

The report, known as the GSMA Africa Mobile Observatory 2011 report, shows Africa had achieved this milestone in the fourth quarter of 2011 when mobile penetration reached 649 million connections. Earlier in 2010, mobile penetration exceeded 50 percent.

96 percent of all subscriptions in Africa are pre-paid, and voice services dominate the market. Figures show however, that the demand for data uptake has also been growing and there are currently six live HSPA+ networks across Africa with a seventh planned for the near future. By 2015, the report predicts that next generation LTE networks are predicted to reach half a million connections in Kenya, 1.1 million connections in Nigeria and 2.5 million connections in South Africa.

Source: By Luiz Sanchez on Thursday, November 10th, 2011