Lack of spectrum, high costs hinder African mobile broadband

According to the recently published report, while uptake of mobile broadband is growing across Sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of spectrum available is causing traffic congestion on networks, high service costs, compromised quality of service and delays to network rollout.

The high costs of mobile data in particular impact on uptake and consumers’ perceptions, the report found.

“47 percent of Sub-Saharan mobile users believe that mobile data is still too expensive, even though they also believe that mobile data is cheaper and more accessible than fixed line internet,” the report said.

“The region is a relatively price-sensitive market. For mobile services to fully flourish, costs must be minimised.”

Conversely, the increase in affordable smart devices has fuelled uptake and has proven a positive trend for mobile broadband in Africa, with mobile data now the preferred method of accessing the internet across the continent as 70 per cent of mobile users opt for mobile access, Ericsson said.

“Sub-Saharan mobile consumers use their devices throughout the day and in different locations and for a broad range of activities. The growing trend for anytime, anywhere access to services and features is a key driver of mobile broadband use in the region,” the report reads.

However, as this trend towards mobile internet access continues, stakeholders will need to address capacity issues, including the need for increased spectrum, Ericsson said.

“As telecommunication technologies become a central part in the way businesses and society function, key stakeholders in the region such as government and network providers need to put resources in place that assist in dealing with consumer demand,” Ericsson said.

“More spectrum will need to be allocated to support networks, as their capacity is not growing as fast as the increase in data traffic.”