NA Editorial
The expansion of mobile broadband coverage and the increase in mobile connectivity, resulting from the greater accessibility of smartphones, which constitute an integral part of the modern economy, have proven to be preponderant factors in driving digital inclusion in Africa.
According to a note that Notícias de Angola had access to, the most recent GSMA report indicates that smartphones represent over 39 percent of the 774 million mobile connections existing in sub-Saharan Africa. It is projected to grow significantly, but for the people of Africa to fully reap the rewards of mobile connectivity, it is imperative that 4G smartphone devices are made available to the entry-level market.
This requires financial innovation along with the technological innovation that characterizes the sector, which requires smartphones to be cheaper, if Africa wants to unlock the full potential of its people.
In Kenya, Safaricom recently launched a device financing program, in partnership with Google and Teleone, allowing low-income earners in the country to access quality 4G phones, in low installments, starting at 20Kshs (R3) per day
Airtel Africa has expanded 4G adoption on the continent with its “more for more” data offerings, increasing average data usage, with 4G now accounting for more than 60% of its data revenue.
The growing demand for 4G devices indicates the moment when a market is ready to transition to the 4G network, thus allowing the closure of the 3G spectrum, as India recently did.
At the recent LTE 2020 World Conference, Sandeep Gupta, Executive Vice President of Barthi Airtel in India, said that the decision-making for the 3G network shutdown was driven by two considerations – the insertion of Smartphones and the right network resources, such such as SDR (Software Defined Radio) and radio single RAN, which supports 4G VoLTE.
In South Africa, smartphones have become significantly more affordable, with devices like the Huawei Y5 Lite selling for around R1 300. However, the aim remains to make 4G smartphones even more affordable and truly democratize connectivity.
The simplest path to accelerating digital inclusion may involve a change in our understanding of the place of 4G devices in our society. As soon as smartphones are seen as a commodity, a basic right, rather than a luxury, they can be marketed, sold and taxed accordingly, moving all of humanity into the new digital economy.
One of the main leaders in the sector in Europe, Huawei has more than 194,000 employees, currently operating in more than 170 countries and regions. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company owned by its employees.