Broadband In Africa Research Articles

Policy options for broadband infrastructure strategies: A simulation model for affordable universal broadband in Africa

Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to provide universal affordable broadband globally. However, a lack of data, combined with few independent and scientifically reproducible assessments, makes it challenging for governments to make strategic choices to achieve this goal. Therefore, new research approaches are required to support decision evaluation. This paper demonstrates an innovative method that addresses data and model uncertainty by developing open-source software to explore affordable universal broadband strategies, using a scenario-based hypothetical mobile operator. Targets being considered by the United Nations’ Broadband Commission are evaluated, with the financial costs of different infrastructure decisions quantified for the whole of the African continent. The results suggest that ‘leapfrogging’ to 4G is more cost efficient than 3G for providing universal broadband, with savings between 7 and 57 % for 10 GB/Month and 20–47 % for 30 GB/Month. The baseline 4G cost for connecting all unconnected and underserved users across Africa is $0.4 trillion for 10 GB/Month and $0.7–1 trillion for 30 GB/Month.

English

This study extends Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to study inhibitors and enablers of the use of mobile broadband in Africa. The conceptual model tested incorporates two key constructs into TAM: Perceived price and energy —are also analyzed. Results from online survey, of 114 mobile internet consumers supported the model. The study identified the factors that can influence their decision-making and the various obstacles they face in the use of mobile-broadband. The theoretical and managerial implications of these results are discussed. Key words: Mobile-broadband usage, TAM, Sub-Saharan Africa, structural equation.

Bridging Africa's broadband divide

At Mulanje Secondary School, in Malawi's verdant tea-growing district, something remarkable is happening: Students and teachers now have broadband access to the Internet for the first time, thanks to an over-the-air network that connects the school with a telecom provider in a nearby town. Installed last year, the network transmits signals over unused portions of the television spectrum-known as TV white spaces-from a high-gain antenna mounted atop the sturdy brickand-stucco building to a radio tower owned by Malawi Telecommunications, 2.6 kilometers away. Inside the school, in a new computer lab, students check email, do homework, and hang out on social media, just like teenagers the world over.

Television white spaces: Learning from cases of recent trials

Abstract With the development of Super Wi-Fi technology starting in 2011, TV White Space (TVWS) trials have been conducted in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and other developed countries, and applicable spectrum band, technology regulations and types of applications with regard to TVWS technology have been examined in this article. In many trials, Microsoft and Google have played a significant role. Supported by Spectrum Bridge, Microsoft set up spectrum databases in the UK’s and Singapore’s trials and voluntarily promoted TVWS applications in Kenya and Tanzania. This enabled Microsoft to provide broadband services in rural areas at a lower cost than previously possible in developing countries. Google also actively developed TVWS-related applications to increase broadband penetration and provide various innovative services, especially for the vertical markets. In addition, after Google obtained the authorization of the TVWS database from FCC on 28 June 2013, it became the third largest TVWS database provider in the United States. In order to improve the accessibility of broadband in Africa, Google supported the roll-out of TVWS broadband services in Republic of Liberia and Cape Town, South Africa. As a result, both Google and Microsoft have helped narrow the digital divide between African countries and developed ones.

The future of broadband in Africa

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an answer as to whether fibre to the home and other types of fixed internet access still have a role to play in Africa beyond a few urban elites, as well as what business models are likely to be successful in the African context. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses data from nationally representative ICT household surveys conducted in 12 African countries in 2012. These data are complemented by an OECD broadband pricing methodology and data. In addition to the OECD basket methodology, own baskets were defined to capture the complexity of African products, and to draw out the different business models for fixed and mobile broadband. Findings – The paper demonstrates that if fixed internet is provided as an uncapped service at an affordable price, it has a chance to at least co-exist with mobile broadband in Africa. The availability of fixed internet is rapidly diminishing where it is offered as a capped service and not at prices similar to mobile broadband. The paper also demonstrates that fixed-line telecommunication companies should to focus on data only before mobile operators do, and they lose out once again. Practical implications – In Africa, mobile voice overtook fixed voice at the turn of the millennium with the introduction of prepaid services. Ten years later, mobile internet is rapidly overtaking fixed internet by overcoming key obstacles to fixed internet access. While the developed world discusses the merits of fixed and mobile broadband, it is clear that for Africa, fixed broadband in the form of fibre to the home, or even plain ADSL, will only reach a few urban elites in the next decade. Fixed-line operators then should rethink their pricing and investment strategies: they are advised to invest in high-speed technologies such as VDSL or fibre to the home, if fixed broadband is to stand a chance against mobile broadband. Whether fixed-line operators will lose the data battle as well will be determined by their business decisions as well as by policy and regulatory interventions. Originality/value – This paper uses primary household and individual data that allows for a better understanding of internet access and use in Africa. The analysis of internet access prices for ADSL against prepaid and post-paid mobile broadband is used to assess broadband business strategies across 12 African countries. The paper provides policymakers and regulators with the evidence required for an informed ICT policy and regulation and it recommends business strategies that should be pursued by operators to improve broadband sector performance.

Africa and Europe - Information Policies and Metrics

In Europe there has been growing concern over green house gas emissions and energy efficiency. The costs and carbon footprint of telecommunications represent a new set of indicators. Counting cellphones proves more complex than expected, with many being unaccounted for as individuals, even in very countries acquire several SIM-cards and even two phones. A major bottleneck in international undersea cables is finally being removed for Africa. However, measuring its effect is proving difficult. While in Africa broadband is still rare, in Europe it is increasingly commonplace, but in every more complex bundles, with telephony, television and other services. Counting customers and comparing services grows ever more complex. New indicators are appearing, such as having uploaded content in a three month period.

Between two stools: Broadband policy in South Africa

This paper explores the underlying causes of South Africa's relatively poor broadband penetration despite Government's acknowledgment of its centrality to a modern economy and information society. South Africa's broadband policy has emerged from two apparently contradictory policy approaches. Until these are resolved, the sector will remain inert between two strategies, unable to move forward on either. On the one hand, broadband has evolved within the context of managed liberalisation, a local adaptation of the international telecommunications reform model. This has created a market structured around a number of vertically integrated operators, fixed and mobile, whose services have evolved to offer broadband. The latest phase of this model is expressed in the Electronic Communications Act which came into force in 2006 and reforms the regulatory and licensing framework to address the challenges of convergence. Within this context, broadband uptake has been relatively poor and costs of ADSL and mobile HSDPA services remain high as a result of limited competition and ineffective regulation. This has prompted Government to adopt another strategy, in parallel with its current reform process. It has initiated a fully state-owned broadband operator, which is also expected to address the high cost of international cable bandwidth currently provided exclusively by the incumbent. This paper examines the underlying reasons for the development of these two potentially contradictory processes and their institutional arrangements to assess the implications for the achievement of national policy objectives on broadband extension.