Mobile Network Modernization in Africa
- June 15, 2012
- Africa, backhaul, capex, East Africa, EDGE, GSMA, High Speed Packet Access, Latin America, Mobile network operator, network simplification, OPEX, W-CDMA (UMTS), WiMAX
Total African Mobile Connections and Penetration Rate (million, percentage penetration). Source GSMA Africa Mobile Observatory 2011
Throughout Africa a wind of change is blowing as mobile network operators ponder, and in many cases implement, a wave of network modernization. The trigger for this is multi-faceted. Booming subscriber growth, introduction of new data services and arrival of new undersea fiber optic cable links are combining to strain existing network infrastructure to the breaking point.
Booming Mobile Subscriber Growth
According to the GSMA , as of September 2011 Africa has overtaken Latin America with 620m mobile connections, making it the second largest mobile market in the world after Asia-Pacific. The number of connections has more than doubled over the past four years, with growth expected to continue at the fastest rate of all global regions over the next four years.
First Voice, Now Increasingly Data
Most networks across Africa were built many years ago to serve the initial rollout of 2G/GSM mobile networks that were designed to provide basic voice services. Many operators have since introduced data services using EDGE, 3G WCDMA, and, more recently 3G HSPA, putting an incredible strain on these networks. These data services can be vital for the operator, as they are often supporting premium, prepaid subscribers or new fixed line data services being offered for small and medium-size businesses.
One example of network modernization in action is in East Africa, where a mobile network operator saw subscriber numbers increase 9 percent in 2011, with 3G customers increasing more than 85 percent. This operator was also offering fixed data services to private and corporate customers through the deployment of WiMAX base stations collocated with the existing mobile sites. All this new data traffic was growing exponentially and fast outstripping the legacy backhaul network capacity. The operator also had to ensure that existing voice traffic was protected.
Priorities Driving Network Upgrades
Today, several priorities are driving network operators to upgrade their networks including the need for:
- Increased capacity
- More efficient use of backhaul spectrum resources
- Support for increasing volume of Ethernet/IP-based traffic
- Network Simplification
- Reduction in Capital and Operational Expenses
These five priorities are closely interrelated. For more details, download the complete article.
Stuart D. Little
Director Corporate Marketing
Aviat Networks
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