Nokia Siemens Networks

Capturing the potential of 3G in Africa

Based on 3G successes with Vodacom Tanzania, Zain Nigeria and Leo Namibia, Nokia Siemens Networks has been awarded the African Vendor of the Year award at the 2009 CommsMEA Awards.

Connecting the next billion

By 2015, 83% of the global population will live in emerging markets – primarily Africa, India and Asia – and 45% will be under 25 years old. These are the people who stand to reap the biggest benefits as the communications industry reaches out to the next billion internet users. With the price of 3G equipment falling, developing countries are more than ready for the improved Internet access that mobile broadband can bring.

As well as the falling price of equipment, the increased desire of international agencies to connect more people to the Internet and voice communications is making the roll-out of 3G much more viable for CSPs. Indeed, wireless broadband is now seen as a critical engine for bringing new economic avenues to people in these difficult financial times. Economists have directly linked mobile subscribers to GDP growth.

Bridging the digital divide in Africa

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Africa had under 22% mobile subscribers; a very low penetration rate with a high potential for growth. This growth potential combined with falling equipment prices and increasing demand for improved internet access, means that there has never been a better time for African CSPs to roll out 3G networks.
And African operators are seizing this opportunity. Vodacom Tanzania recently selected Nokia Siemens Networks to provide a 3G network in the country. Within ten days, Nokia Siemens Networks had rolled-out the 3G and implementation of the 22 base stations and 120 sites.

Zain Nigeria worked with Nokia Siemens Networks to build 4,000km of fibre optic backbone infrastructure and supply microwave transmission equipment to deliver IP technology to address the problem of network capacity. The roll-out is estimated to have saved Zain around US$7 million in reduced fibre leasing costs.

In July 2009, Zain Nigeria extended its contract with Nokia Siemens Networks to Phase two of the project - an additional 600km of the nationwide fibre backbone network. The operator's customer base is now the fastest-growing in Nigeria.

Leo Namibia selected Nokia Siemens Networks in October 2009, to upgrade prepaid charging and mediation systems and expand 2G and 3G network. The 2G and 3G network coverage expansion will be undertaken using Nokia Siemens Networks' award-winning Flexi Base Station, which will enable faster roll out and help Leo reduce its overall power consumption and operational costs.

CommsMea award

Based on these customer successes, Nokia Siemens Networks was presented with the African Vendor of the Year Award in a ceremony on 7 December 2009 in Dubai.

Adnan Kureshy, head of marketing and communication at Nokia Siemens Networks MEA, on receiving the award said: "To be recognized for our achievements in a highly competitive market such as Africa is a privilege. Africa's low mobile penetration rate and developing demand for mobile services makes it a priority region for our business and we will continue to dedicate the necessary support and commitment the region deserves as it continues to grow."