Telecom regulators and communication ministers from more than ten African countries attended the round table event, hosted by Ericsson from June 15 to 17. The goal of the event was to provide a platform for future contact with key decision makers in target markets and share Ericsson’s knowledge and views on how to best provide broadband services to all citizens.
The high-level participants also met with the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS), and the Swedish ministries of Communications and Foreign Affairs.
Ulf Pehrsson, vice president of Government and Industry Relations at Ericsson, says: “The visit was a good opportunity for us to present our view on market trends and technology development. Ericsson shared information to help regulators that are involved in discussions on telecom industry development.”
The telecom market in Africa has recently experienced exceptional growth. The GSMA, the global trade body for the mobile industry, announced today that the number of mobile connections in Africa has risen 86 million in the past 12 months to 300 million. Coverage throughout Africa has grown, while the cost of mobile communication has fallen. This trend has allowed tens of millions of Africans to become connected for the first time.
Johan Haeger, driver for marketing theme Communications for All, says: “While there is great potential for continued growth in voice services, broadband remains the next big challenge. Broadband is necessary to improve education, healthcare, and economic growth through income and efficiency gains in the business sector. Clear messages focusing on HSPA and the real value of broadband to people in high-growth markets, as well as exciting demos and time for discussions, were key to the success of the event.”
Haeger says the regulatory environment plays a key role in determining telecom growth in any market. “To realize the full social and economic benefits of this investment, African governments need to provide a sound, competitive regulatory environment as well as ensure that sufficient spectrum is available, particularly for mobile broadband services,” he says. “As a leading supplier, Ericsson can help to move them forward, and enable communication for all.
Pehrsson says Ericsson has a long history in Africa and is there to stay. “Governments and regulators are key stakeholders in telecoms growth and the uptake of technology,” he says. “Ericsson will continue to develop this relationship because it is critical to our success. We hope to host more events of this kind, both in Africa and other parts of the world.”
The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO): is an international development partnership between Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth governments, as well as business and civil society organizations. It provides the international community with a means of bridging the digital divide and achieving social and economic development. The CTO helps deliver unique knowledge-sharing programs in the use of information and communication technologies in the specific areas of telecommunications, IT, broadcasting and the internet.
