Airtel Tanzania
Pushing for more In recent months Airtel Tanzania has slashed tariff costs, making it easier than ever for Tanzanians to communicate at the most competitive rates. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Donovan Smith Airtel is a company familiar to us here at Africa outlook. Flick through the pages of any of our recent publications and you'll see a number of them have been dedicated to bringing you the story of the company's growth in Africa. And it's quite the story. Airtel Africa, a subsidiary of Indian telecommunications giant Bharti Airtel, has operations in 17 countries. We've brought you the inside track on things in Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi. Now it's Tanzania's turn. Airtel Tanzania was launched in October 2001, positioning itself "as the most innovative mobile phone operator in the country", the company said in information sent to an Africa outlook researcher, and it has introduced many "firsts" in the telecommunications sector "providing communication services to all 26 areas in the Tanzania region". In keeping with what it has done in other African countries, Airtel has also launched money services in Tanzania, with even the most remote areas in the country able to take advantage of the service thanks to Airtel Tanzania's "widest rural reach and quality network". "We support the economy of Tanzania by provision of opportunities to local experts in different fields not only in Tanzania but also across the region where it operates; having employed people to deal with network, dealer support, suppliers and freelancers in the market place," the company said. Airtel…
Airtel Uganda
Airtel goes for leadership in Uganda After acquiring the operations of Warid Telecom Uganda, Airtel Uganda is now hot on the heels of market leader MTN. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Donovan Smith Airtel Uganda is owned by Bharti Airtel the world's fourth largest mobile phone operator and earlier this year acquired the operations of Warid Telecom Uganda. It was a watershed moment, a game changer, which saw the company's customer base balloon - after adding Warid's customers to its books, Airtel now has over seven million subscribers. The move strengthened the telecoms giant's presence in the country and consolidated its position in the market. Airtel Uganda's managing Director VG Somasekhar says: "this happens to be the first in-market acquisition in Bharti Airtel's history. We believe this market consolidation offers great synergies by bringing together the best of Airtel and Warid to better serve customers in Uganda. Now 7.2 million people in Uganda are able to access the most affordable, reliable telecommunications services in the country and also to connect globally, enjoying the benefits of 'One Network' that empowers over 270 million customers in 20 countries worldwide." It's fair to say the people at Airtel are happy. Ugandans are happy too. "We have seen a strong growth in revenue from our products and the expanding client base for our data services," says Somasekhar. "Mobile money has also been an area where we have introduced several new innovations with bank to mobile money account transfers and more pay bill options. We've also had incredible traction for our…
Airtel Nigeria
Taking a megabyte out of the competition Airtel is redefining the data experience in Nigeria and is reaping the rewards – including a 92 percent increase in its internet customer base. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Donovan Smith Our pages are littered with investment opportunities. Whether it is opportunities in Kenya's insurance market or new mines in Namibia, we've pretty much covered it all within the pages of Africa Outlook over the past six months. Investors are definitely excited by what Africa has to offer. And they are particularly excited about opportunities that exist within the telecoms sector. To quote the UK's BT, "it's good to talk". Nigeria is one market causing quite the stir and according to U.S.-based research firm Pyramid Research, the rate of growth in Nigeria's telecommunications industry and a large population are parameters that will continue to make the country one of the most attractive markets to investors in Africa and the Middle East. Pyramid Research is a company that provides international market analysis and consulting services to the communications industry and its study took a five-year look at the country's telecommunications sector returns, saying that demand profile in the country, both for voice and data services, is high and by far, the largest in Africa. It also identified the sound regulatory regime put in place by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator, as a key factor bringing about and sustaining the growth potential. One of the country's leading mobile telecommunication services providers is Airtel, a firm that has seen…
Airtel Malawi
Airtel Malawi on the up and up As part of plans to meet growing demand for data services among its customers, Airtel Malawi has been deploying high-speed Internet capacity across its network. Managing Director Saulos Chilima tells us more. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Donovan Smith Airtel Africa, a subsidiary of Indian telecommunications giant Bharti Airtel, has operations in 17 countries. One of those is Malawi. It isn't an easy place to operate in – we'll get onto the challenges - and ranks 157 (out of 185) on the World Bank's ease of doing business index. Airtel however is enjoying considerable success and is number one where quality of network is concerned. The launch of its 3.75G platform in the country is certainly aiding that. "Right now I would say the business as performing very well given the challenges we have in the economy," says Airtel Malawi Managing Director Saulos Chilima. Malawi faced serious macroeconomic challenges in 2011 and 2012: growing fiscal deficit and rising inflation. The government, which came to power in April 2012 under the leadership of President Joyce Banda has responded with bold macroeconomic policy adjustment measures including the devaluation of the Malawian kwacha by 49 percent, with a move towards a flexible exchange rate regime, a tightening of monetary and fiscal policy and a removal of subsidies on fuel. The government has also re-engaged with the IMF, resulting in the resumption of direct budget support by donors. The reforms have helped, as evidenced by improved access to foreign exchange by the business…
Airtel Nigeria
Taking a megabyte out of the competition Airtel is redefining the data experience in Nigeria and is reaping the rewards – including a 92 percent increase in its internet customer base. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Donovan Smith Our pages are littered with investment opportunities. Whether it is opportunities in Kenya's insurance market or new mines in Namibia, we've pretty much covered it all within the pages of Africa Outlook over the past six months. Investors are definitely excited by what Africa has to offer. And they are particularly excited about opportunities that exist within the telecoms sector. To quote the UK's BT, "it's good to talk". Nigeria is one market causing quite the stir and according to U.S-based research firm Pyramid Research, the rate of growth in Nigeria's telecommunications industry and a large population are parameters that will continue to make the country one of the most attractive markets to investors in Africa and the Middle East. Pyramid Research is a company that provides international market analysis and consulting services to the communications industry and its study took a five-year look at the country's telecommunications sector returns, saying that demand profile in the country, both for voice and data services, is high and by far, the largest in Africa. It also identified the sound regulatory regime put in place by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator, as a key factor bringing about and sustaining the growth potential. One of the country's leading mobile telecommunication services providers is Airtel, a firm that has seen…
Ericsson Sub-Saharan Africa
Setting sights on Africa Globally, the telecoms industry has been facing rough trading conditions, but Africa seems to be growing from strength to strength. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager James Mitchell Ericsson, the world's biggest maker of mobile phone equipment, is playing a key role in Africa's development. The continent's telecommunications market continues to appeal, with coverage and affordable devices becoming less of an issue. The market is full of potential; African operators continue to intensify their efforts to monetise 3G and other data networks and LTE offerings are becoming mainstream, while rural connectivity continues to improve at pace and mobile banking takes off. Communication, remember, is a universal need. This, alongside evolving user demands and rapid developments in technology, is driving continued growth in the global telecommunications industry. Ericsson has struggled in recent years as customers have held back on investing in mobile phone networks. Globally, the telecoms industry has been facing rough trading conditions, but Africa seems to be growing from strength to strength. In a recent interview, Fredrik Jejdling, the new head of Ericsson in Sub-Saharan Africa, acknowledged Africa's allure and said data was going to be a huge part of Africa's mobile story. "I have worked in the Indian market as the regional head for the past three years and I have learnt that mobility is a prerequisite for inclusive growth. Mobile data and broadband will be far reaching voice revolution. The funny thing is that the same pattern in emerging markets as with developed markets with regards to internet usage. "Between…
Clean Power Systems
Smart, clean power Clean Power Systems provides cost effective, clean power products that reduce operating expenses for mobile networks. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Ben Weaver Africa is one of the fastest growing markets for mobile providers. According to research by the UK's Informa Telecoms & Media, the continent has now, in fact, achieved status as the world's second-largest mobile market. There are more than 760 million mobile subscribers and with market penetration around 68 percent, there is still plenty of room for growth. In just four years, Informa believes Africa could have as many as 1.19 billion mobile subscribers. U.S.- headquartered Clean Power Systems (CPS) -- a firm with a fast-growing presence in Africa -- is currently providing clean and reliable energy services and products to the industry. "Clean Power Systems provides cost effective, clean power products that reduce operating expenses for mobile networks by over 60 percent," says William Bubenicek, Managing Director of Clean Power Systems. CPS provides "end-to-end power solutions" and there is "vast potential" for the business in a continent that "carries high operating expenses" and often has serious power problems. "Because mobile networks must maintain 99 percent reliable power for cell towers, the emerging market networks rely primarily on diesel generators to power their cell towers," Bubenicek explains. "We utilise our software products to effectively capture data, system design, and implementation planning. Our focus is on standardising the methodology to allow for high volume implementation and allowing cost saving benefits to be achieved rapidly. The bottom line is that CPS provides…
Airtel Ghana
Upwardly mobile With Ghana's oil find, its telecoms and ICT industry has been somewhat overshadowed in recent years. But it is a sector full of opportunities for both local and International firms says Airtel's Philip Sowah. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Donovan Smith Although mature, Ghana's telecoms and ICT industry is "full of opportunities" says Airtel Ghana's Managing Director Philip Sowah. According to Mr Sowah, the sector is "buoyant", with network operators increasingly looking at innovation to stay competitive. "Although mobile penetration crossed the 100 percent mark in the end of 2012, the market continues to show considerable potential," he explains, adding that growth is "being driven" by increased data usage. "I think there is still a lot of room to grow. Take me for example as a consumer: I use four sim cards, all of them Airtel; for different things. I have my phone, router, ipad, and modem. All h ave an Airtel sim card. So I use four sim cards without double-simming or using another network provider. As sim cards get embedded in to more and more devices, I think our market is set to grow more. "Also, we've been boosted by improved submarine cable connections, which have helped lower prices an d increased availability of affordable 3G-enabled devices." Mr Sowah is ambitious, tenacious and driven. Prior to joining Airtel Ghana, he was the CEO of Onetouch, now Vodafone Ghana, where he championed its aggressive expansion from 160,000 to 1.3 million subscribers. "I'm encouraged and excited by what we are doing at Airtel," Sowah…
Ingram Micro Mobility
Brightpoint rebranded as Ingram Micro Mobility Earlier this year BrightPoint was rebranded Ingram Micro Mobility. Africa Outlook learns more. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Donovan Smith In 2012 IT giant Ingram Micro, the world's largest wholesale technology distributor and a global leader in IT supply-chain, mobile device lifecycle services and logistics solutions, acquired BrightPoint for a cool $840 million, including $190 million in debt as part of its strategy to drive convergence across IT and Mobility markets. Ingram Micro's acquisition of BrightPoint marked an important milestone for both companies, but more importantly it offers tangible benefits to its customers and vendors who now have access to the broadest portfolio of mobility and converged technology products and the most comprehensive suite of supply chain solutions for mobile devices. Ingram Micro Mobility has positioned itself at the centre of the flow of products and commerce within the mobility industry, which will help them anticipate demand and create connections between manufacturers, retailers and carriers, while helping to enable the convergence of IT and mobility. "We executed the integration against a clear cut plan which has impacted the business more positively than we ever anticipated. The Ingram Micro brand and reputation has been well received by our vendors and our customers," says Bruce Cockburn, Regional Managing Director, Africa (Mobility & IT). As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics and mobile solutions, technical support, financial services and product aggregation and distribution. The…
Eaton Towers
Towering ahead Africa Outlook talks to Alan Harper, the Co-founder and CEO of African telecoms infrastructure firm Eaton Towers, which owns and manages telecom infrastructure across the continent and has plans to build 250 transmitter towers this year. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Ben Weaver African telecoms infrastructure firm Eaton Towers is continuing to expand its mobile operations and is one of a number of specialist players to launch services in Africa in recent years. It plans to build another 250 transmitter towers in 2013, increasing its African portfolio by a sixth. What's that down to? Growing internet use. "We will build about 100 towers in Uganda, 100 in South Africa and 50 in Ghana," says Alan Harper, Eaton Towers' Co-founder and CEO. Customers include Airtel, Vodafone, South Africa's MTN and Orange. "The internet boom is one of the key drivers - more people are getting online as smartphone prices fall and telecom operators improve their networks. Mobile operators are building new base stations for two reasons – one is obviously coverage, and there is still some coverage expansion going on, but increasingly it is for adding capacity to the networks." A lack of extensive fixed-line infrastructure in most African countries means mobile networks provide the main means for people to access the internet, he adds. "That's right. With fixed-line penetration being so low in so many countries most of the data usage is on the mobile networks and therefore whether it is 3G, or now we are seeing some LT E development in some markets,…
