The total handset subscription in Africa and the Middle East is set to reach 1.4bn by 2023 from 733mn in 2018, with smartphones accounting for 81 per cent of handsets in 2023 from 54.4 per cent in 2018, according to GlobalData
During the same period, feature phone subscriptions are set to decline at a CAGR of -11.7 per cent.
Jonathan Bachrach, senior technology analyst at GlobalData, commented, “The massive growth in smartphone adoption will be largely driven by increasing penetration through lower-priced handsets, more affordable device plans, 3G/4G coverage expansion, growing OTT video adoption and larger data bundles.”
In its report “Review of 5G Technology Readiness and Commercialisation,” GlobalData said that several retailers and telcos in AME countries sell smartphones for between US$20 and US$50. SOUQ Egypt sells the Hisense U601s’ for US$34 and Jumia Nigeria sells the Itel It6910 for US$24. In Tanzania, Vodacom is selling several devices for less than US$50 as part of a promotion and Itel gado sells for US$44.
This report identifies the technology underpinning the move toward deployment of 5G networks. The report focuses on key developments across the radio, core and transport network domains. The report further identifies the established and emerging vendors participating in the 5G market and identifies important networking innovations being developed to enable network operators to achieve 5G's full potential.
