Mobile Report November 2013

MOBILE REPORT November 2013

A MONTHLY SNAPSHOT OF

MOBILE NEWS, VIEWS, EVENTS

& DEVELOPMENTS LOCALLY

AND ABROAD

HOW TO USE THIS REPORT

This report is intended to be an easy-to-reference tool.

It is a resource that you can flip through in your own time – and not necessarily read from front-to-back

CONTENTS

Executive Summary

Section 1: Mobile Landscape

Section 2: Mobile Innovation and Campaigns

Section 3: Mobile Devices and Operating Systems

Section 4: Mobile Networks

Section 5: Technology

Section 6: Social Networks

Section 7: LinkedIn Statistics for Africa

Sources and Contacts

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. FNB launches its mobile app in the rest of Africa.

2. The number of African mobile subscribers is predicted to reach 930 million by 2019.

3. Most South Africans spend more on mobile and use cellphone banking mostly to buy airtime.

4. PWC outlook of the landscape and future of the internet in South Africa.

5. One in ten smartphones runs on Windows.

6. MTN-branded smartphones to be launched in South Africa and Apple iPhone 5C outsells Samsung Galaxy S4 in India.

7. Glasses to help fatigue and Vybe smartphone notification bracelet.

8. LinkedIn Statistics for Africa.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

MOBILE LANDSCAPE

Section 1

GSMA: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA WINS AT MOBILE

New research by the GSMA reveals that mobile contributes over 6% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, higher than any other comparable region, globally – and this is forecast to rise to over 8% by 2020.

The report, “Sub-Saharan Africa Mobile Economy 2013”, developed by GSMA Intelligence, found that, in 2012, the mobile ecosystem directly supported 3.3 million jobs and contributed US $21 billion to public funding in the region, including license fees.

By 2020, mobile is set to double its economic effect, employing 6.6 million men and women in the region and contributing US $42 billion to public funding.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s unique mobile subscriber base has grown by 18% annually over the last five years, making it the fastest growing region globally.

By mid-2013, there were 253 million unique mobile subscribers and 502 million connections.

Source: Business Tech, 12 November 2013

‘AFRICAN MOBILE SUBSCRIBERS TO NUMBER 930 MILLION BY 2019’

The number of mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa could hit 930 million by the end of 2019, says international provider of communications technology and services Ericsson.

Ericsson unveiled the forecasts in its Mobility Report released earlier this month.

Mobile subscriptions in the region currently stand at 560 million, according to sub-Saharan Africa region head at Ericsson, Fredrik Jejdling.

“The mobile phone is the main device for voice communication and internet access in sub-Saharan Africa. This is primarily driven by the lack of fixed infrastructure in the region, and the device’s relatively low cost,” the report reads.

Also stated in the report is that there is expected to be 17 times more growth in mobile data traffic between 2013 and 2019 in Africa.

Youth in countries such as South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria are also expected to be the primary drivers of social networking activity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Furthermore, the report found that although the Middle East and Africa had 80% of 2G subscriptions this year, the same figure would be for 3G/4G subscriptions in the year 2019.

Source: ITWeb Africa, 13 November 2013

THE LANDSCAPE AND FUTURE OF INTERNET IN SA: 2013 – 2017

Consumer spending on internet access in South Africa will reach approximately R59.6 billion by 2017, up from R19.8 billion in 2012, a CAGR of 24.7%.

The South African internet market is dominated by the mobile segment and internet access via mobile devices comprised 89% of the internet access market (mobile internet subscribers plus fixed broadband households).

Within the home broadband market, which will grow its subscriber base by a CAGR of 8.6% over the next five years asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) will be the dominant technology due to demand for higher speeds and its relatively wide coverage.

The South African internet advertising market is forecast to generate revenues of R3.7 billion in 2017, up from R1.2 billion in 2012, a CAGR of 25.4%.

Search is set to remain the primary online advertising format in South Africa, although its share of online advertising will decline slightly over the forecast period from 44% to 41%.

Mobile advertising is set to grow at a notable CAGR of 37.8% over the forecast period, growing from R189 million in 2012 to R938 million in 2017.

Source: pwc, November 2013

SOUTH AFRICANS SPEND MORE ON MOBILE: REPORT

South Africans spend more on their mobile bill than the global average, new research from the GSMA shows.

According to the “Sub-Saharan Africa Mobile Economy 2013” report by the GSMA, South Africa’s Average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) is recorded at $25.4 (R264) – above the global average of $25 (R260) and a Sub-Saharan Africa average of $13.6 (R141).

It follows a study commissioned by Informa Telecoms & Media in July 2013, which found that smartphone users in South Africa spend on average US$31 (R321) per month on their mobile phone bills.

ARPU levels vary significantly across the SSA region – largely driven by differing GDP per capita and income levels – but remain in line with the developing market average, the GSMA said.

The only exception is South Africa which, of the larger markets, has ARPUs above the global average level – reflecting mainly high average income levels in the country.

Source: Business Tech, 12 November 2013

‘MOST SOUTH AFRICANS USE CELLPHONE BANKING TO BUY AIRTIME’

Most South Africans use their cellphone banking services to buy airtime for themselves or their loved ones.

This was revealed at a presentation of the annual World Wide Worx mobility research study, which looks at the use of mobile devices, internet and money in the country.

According to “The Mobility 2014 Research Study’” all forms of mobile banking transactions increased over the past year in the southern African nation.

The research has further predicted that more app usage for cellphone banking can be expected in the next year.

Using the USSD protocol for banking transactions increased from 26% to 32% in 2013, the study revealed. And buying airtime through USSD reached the 49% mark during the year.

The study also revealed a shift in the mobile banking apps environment.

From only 1% of all banking customers using banking apps in mid-2012, the figure shot up to 9% in late 2013.

Overall, cellphone banking surged from 28% in mid-2012 to 37% in late 2013, outlined in the research study.


FNB LAUNCHES MOBILE APP IN SEVEN AFRICAN MARKETS

Growing demand for smartphones and tablets in Africa has prompted First National Bank (FNB) to roll-out its banking application and mobile website to seven African nations.

Customers of First National Bank (FNB) in Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Tanzania and Mozambique are now set to have access to these digital services from the bank.

FNB currently has 600,000 active users of its banking app in the South African market, the financial institution has revealed.

And according to the bank, the app in Africa is planned to be available for download on Apple, BlackBerry and Android devices.

Meanwhile, the mobile website is also expected to work on all internet enabled cell phones, including smartphones and feature phones.


GARTNER SEES SMARTPHONES SMARTER THAN USERS BY 2017

Smartphones are getting smarter with each new generation, so research firm Gartner has gone out on a limb with a new forecast straight out of a dystopian sci-fi movie.

It claims smartphones will become smarter than their users by 2017.

Smartphones will get smarter by tapping into data gathered using cognisant computing, the next step in personal cloud evolution.

Basically smartphones will collect data about your habits, schedule, location and all movements. This data will then be shared with the NSA, but it will also be used to come up with contextual information used by your smartphone.

“Smartphones are becoming smarter, and will be smarter than you by 2017,” said Carolina Milanesi, Research Vice President at Gartner. “If there is heavy traffic, it will wake you up early for a meeting with your boss, or simply send an apology if it is a meeting with your colleague.”

Saying that smartphones will get smarter may not be the right description. Smartphones will get faster, the cloud will be bigger and more information will be available, allowing phones to make sense of more information and put it to good use.

Of course, to make it all work, users will have to share more information with their devices.

Source: TechEye, 12 November 2013

ONE IN TEN SMARTPHONES RUNS ON WINDOWS

Microsoft's deals with Nokia are starting to make slow but noticeable progress, with more than 10% of smartphones in the EU running on Windows.

According to market analysts Kantar WorldPanel, Android still remains the number one system in most countries, but Windows Phone is gaining fast.

In the UK it now accounts for 11.4% of the market, up 7.2% compared with the same period last year and overpowering BlackBerry which has a dismal 3.1% of the market to take third place.

Dominic Sunnebo, Strategic Insight Director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech said that the gradual global growth of Windows Phone stems partly from the historical popularity of budget Nokias with users.

Source: TechEye, 7 November 2013

NIGERIA’S NCC KICK-STARTS AUCTIONING OF 2.3 GHZ LICENSE

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially commenced the auctioning of one slot of 30 MHz nationally available in the 2.3 GHz band for the provision of wholesale broadband services in the country.

The auctioning of the bandwidth is part of the commission’s plan to have a wholesale broadband provider in the country. The auction is expected to take place towards the end of January next year.

As part of the NCC’s “Open Access Broadband Strategy”, the telecoms watchdog has opted to assign the slot for the delivery of broadband wireless access services at a wholesale level, in a move planned to provide internet service providers (ISPs) and other retail telecoms service providers with the requisite bandwidth to service their subscribers.

Announcing the official commencement of the spectrum sale, the commission said it was adopting an auction process to ensure transparency in the assignment of the available spectrum.

A statement by the executive chairman and chief executive officer of the NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, has read, “The Commission invites expression of interest under the subject “2.3 GHz auction-expression of Interest within three weeks.”


GHANA'S GOVERNMENT PRESENTS OVER 100 SCHOOLS WITH LAPTOPS

Ghana's government has distributed 4,500 laptop computers to more than 100 schools in the eastern region of the country.

A total of 109 public and private senior high, technical and vocational schools benefitted from the distribution, which forms part of government’s initiative to enhance the teaching and learning of information and communication technology (ICT).

Presenting the laptops, Alhaji Alfar, Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, said the computers were strictly for students and not administrative work.

Helen Adjoa Ntoso, eastern regional minister said government was committed to improving education in the country especially in the area of ICT.


MOBILE INNOVATION & CAMPAIGNS

Section 2

AFRICAN LAUNCH FOR 'UNDERWATER' SOLAR CELL PHONE CHARGERS

Electricity shortages in Africa have prompted US entrepreneurs to create a cheap solar powered cell phone and tablet charger that can power up devices, even while being underwater.

The company’s chief executive officer John Anderson says World Panel has specifically designed the solar products to target African feature phone, smartphone and tablet users with a plan to launch the chargers to market in early 2014.

Two portable solar chargers are expected to be unveiled at AfricaCom: the World Panel 500 and World Panel 1000.

The WP-500 solar charger can charge up to six or more phones per day, while the WP-1000 has a capacity for 10 or more devices per day, says World Panel.

Using 'direct-from-the-sun' technology to charge a mobile device, a World Panel device can draw more power than even a wall socket connected to the electricity grid.

The World Panel charging solution are set to include five hours of talk with one hour charge and the charger can power 2G, 3G and 4G phones.

The chargers are also said to power any USB device and can be linked together using a 'PowerLink' to double or triple the output.


MOBILE DEVICES & OPERATING SYSTEMS

Section 3

APPLE IPHONE 5C OUTSELLING SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 IN INDIA

Despite poor sales predictions and production cuts for the iPhone 5C, a new report mentions that Apple iPhone 5C is doing very well in India, one of the biggest smartphone markets in the world.

Before the launch, the colorful iPhone 5C was rumored to be an affordable handset and will target emerging markets like China and India. However, the iPhone 5C turned out to be just $100 less than the forward-thinking iPhone 5S.

This hasn’t dissuaded India, where the handset is selling well in the country and currently outsells Galaxy S4, according to a report from Indian Express.

One of the executive at an Apple store in Delhi said, “We usually keep around 100 units for seven days. But since the launch of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, we have to update stocks every two days. And sales increase three times over the weekend.”

Source: Geeky Gadgets, 28 November 2013

MTN-BRANDED SMARTPHONES TO BE LAUNCHED IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa’s second largest mobile operator MTN has revealed plans to introduce new 3G smartphones bearing the company’s brand as part of measures to make such products available at affordable prices.

Officials revealed at AfricaCom conference in Cape Town that the MTN-branded handsets could be available before the end of the year.

Buyers of the handset are also set to enjoy free access to some MTN services for the first three months.

“We are excited about the project. We anticipate that the intake of the products will be huge. It will be phenomenal,” said Kanagaratnam Lambotharan, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN SA.


MOBILE NETWORKS

Section 4

MTN SEALS MOBILE MONEY DEAL WITH VISA

Telecoms firm MTN and payment services firm Visa have partnered to let their mobile money users make face-to-face and online transactions wherever Visa is accepted, with Ghana set to be first market to have the offering.

This is according to a statement released by the company at AfricaCom, being held in Cape Town, South Africa.

As part of the agreement, MTN Mobile Money account customers can use their devices to pay in stores with Visa Points Of Sale (POS).

MTN says customers are also expected to be able to make online payments at all Visa merchants and withdraw money from their mobile money accounts at any Visa ATM.

MTN Mobile Money customers in Ghana are planned to get the offering first before the end of the year. The service is then to be rolled out across the MTN footprint.

MTN Mobile Money enables users to do national and international money transfers, make utility and other service payments, purchase airtime, access insurance and financial products and make retail payments.


MTN GHANA SIGNS MICROWAVE RADIO DEAL WITH AVIAT NETWORKS

Microwave networking firm Aviat Networks announced at technology conference AfricaCom that it is deploying an ultra-high capacity microwave radio solution for mobile operator MTN Ghana.

The deal forms part of an upgrade of the Ghanaian mobile operator’s backhaul network to full IP capacity.

Dubbed the STR600, the technology is set to form part of an ultra-high capacity ring network delivering more than 1.8Gbps data throughput.

The technology is also planned to make the most of MTN Ghana's licensed frequency spectrum with performance enhancing techniques to overcome possible transmission problems posed by the atmosphere over long microwave paths.

STR600 is available in the 6, 7, 8 and 11GHz frequency bands.

Stuart Little, Director of Solutions Marketing at Aviat Networks says, "A trend is underway in Africa for many mobile operators to decrease site infrastructure and optimise operational expenditure by deploying new split-mount trunk radio solutions as an alternative to traditional all-indoor radios.”

“Our STR600 solution allows operators to drastically reduce, or eliminate, the need for large site shelters and air conditioning systems," Little adds.


VODACOM CUSTOMERS UP 10% Vodacom reported a 9.7% rise in group active customers to 53.8 million for the six months ended September 2013, with revenue also up 6.6%, driven by data revenue growth of 29%.

Vodacom pointed to net connections of 949,000 active customers for South Africa and 2.3 million in its international operations for the six months period.

It highlighted an 11.5% rise in operating profit for the six months ended 30 September 2013, from R9 billion in 2012.

Revenue climbed 6.6% to R36.7 billion, from R34.4 billion in 2012.

In South Africa revenue increased 6% to R30.1 billion driven by a 41.2% growth in equipment revenue from smartphone and tablet sales.

Active data customers grew 13.4% to 15.1 million, while service revenue growth trends stabilised in the period, an improvement following declines in prior quarters.

Data revenue increased 20.6% to R5.1 billion, contributing 21.5% (2012: 17.8%) to service revenue.

Focus on handset financing to drive smartphone penetration has led to a 24% growth of these devices, with 6.6 million now active on Vodacom’s network.

The average monthly usage has also increased 78.9% to 220MB, Vodacom said.

Source: BusinessTech, 11 November 2013

TECHNOLOGY

Section 5

GLASSES TO HELP FIGHT FATIGUE

A pair of glasses is now able to tell drivers how tired there are, warning them when they are about to fall asleep behind their wheel.

The technology is already being embraced by trucking companies and will be available by all road users by end of the year.

A world first, this Australian invention is taking a guesswork out of how tired a driver is.

The opti-look glasses constantly monitor the eye movement to determine if a person is a potential road hazard.

The device gives users an alert as to when they may be showing signs of fatigue so that they can stop before getting to that point.

Fatigue is a major contributor to 30% of fatalities on Australian roads. A motorist who’s been awake for 17 hours has a driving ability similar to someone with a blood alcohol concentration of point 0.5.

Source: Optalert, November 2013

VYBE SMARTPHONE NOTIFICATION BRACELET AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER

If you are looking for a convenient way to be notified of updates that arrive on your smartphone without the need to be wearing it on your person, you might be interested in a new device called the Vybe smartphone notification bracelet.

Vybe has been design to provide the wearer with subtle notifications when their smartphone rings and receives a SMS message and has a range of around 50ft from the location of your smartphone.

Vybe currently supports iPhone 4S, iPhone 5/5C/5S and all Android, Windows, and Blackberry models that support Bluetooth 4.0.

The bracelet can be charged from flat in around 2 hours using a microUSB cable and will last around 4 days on a single charge.

Vybe has been designed to vibrate once for a message, and then will vibrate at 1 second intervals the whole time your phone is ringing.

The vibe bracelet is now available to pre-order directly from the official Vybe website with packages starting from $39.

Source: Geeky Gadgets, 28 November 2013

SOCIAL NETWORKS

Section 6

HOW TWITTER IS DRIVING CHANGE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia the fastest-growing Twitter market in the world, which ranks among the top users per capita anywhere.

An estimated 51% of online Saudis maintain an account with the newly public social platform.

In Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world to forbid women from driving, Twitter (and YouTube and Facebook) are nudging this ultraconservative society forward in ways that traditional protest cannot.


10 SURPRISING SOCIAL MEDIA STATISTICS FOR U.S.

The fastest growing demographic on Twitter is the 55-64 year age bracket. This demographic has grown 79% since 2012.

189 million of Facebook's users are 'mobile only’.

YouTube reaches more U.S. adults aged 18-34 than any cable network.

Every second 2 new members join LinkedIn.

Social media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the web.

LinkedIn has a lower percentage of active users than Pinterest, Google+, Twitter and Facebook.

93% of marketers use social media for business.

25% of smartphone owners ages 18-44 say they can't recall the last time their smartphone wasn't next to them.

Even though 62% of marketers blog or plan to blog in 2013, only 9% of US marketing companies employ a full-time blogger.

25% of Facebook users don't bother with privacy settings.

Source: HuffPost Tech, 22 November 2013

LINKEDIN STATISTICS FOR AFRICA

Section 7

LESOTHO

Active users: 8,200

27% Female; 73% Male

The largest age group of users is 25-34, followed by the users in the age group <18.

16% mobile users; 84% non-mobile users

4% Android; 12% iOS; 84% others

Source: Quantcast, 28 November 2013

SWAZILAND

Active users: 8,300


The largest age group of users is 25-34, followed by the users in the age group 35-44.




DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Active users: 23,700






MOZAMBIQUE







UGANDA



The largest age group of users is 25-34, followed by the users in the age group 35-54.




SOURCES AND CONTACTS

http://businesstech.co.za/news/

http://www.itwebafrica.com/

http://www.techeye.net/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tech/

https://www.quantcast.com/

http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/


http://optalert.com/

http://www.pwc.co.za/en/index.jhtml

SOURCES



























CONTACT US

Have a look at all previous Mobile Reports and other mobile work on our site - http://www.native.co.za/home?keyword=mobile

Should you have any mobile insight, strategy, campaign or solution requirements please contact us.

Angus Robinson | Director: Mobility

[tel] +27 (11) 555-3800

[cell] +27 (83) 635 4400

[fax] 0867210884 [email] [email protected]

[twitter] @angusrobinson

Yulia Orel | Research Strategist

[tel] +27 (11) 555-3800

[cell] +27 (79) 756 0297

[email] [email protected]

http://www.native.co.za/home?keyword=mobile

http://www.native.co.za/home?keyword=mobile

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