According to new research by Informa Telecoms & Media, Africa has become the second most connected region in the world in terms of mobile subscription count, up from fourth place at end of 2010.
The reported further stated that here were over 616 million mobile subscriptions in Africa at the end of September. Africa is now second only to Asia-Pacific in terms of mobile subscription numbers.
- At end-2010, less than a year ago, Africa was only the fourth largest regional mobile market by subscriptions
- Africa will retain its position as the second biggest regional mobile market by subscriptions
- The number of unique users in Africa at end-2016 is forecasted to be 572.35 million.
- Nigeria will continue to be Africa’s biggest mobile market by subscriptions, with a forecasted 152.09 million subscriptions at end-2016.
- Egypt will hold onto its position as Africa’s second-biggest mobile market, with a forecasted 118.03 million subscriptions at end-2016.
- South Africa, the continent’s third largest mobile market, will have 80.56 million mobile subscriptions at end-2016.
- Africa is forecasted to have a mobile penetration rate of 86.92% at end-2016
- The mobile-market-share held by WCDMA is forecasted to rise from 6.6% at end-2011 to 46% at end-2016, almost equalling GSM’s market-share of 47.5% at end-2016.