Well, the Fifa World Cup has come and gone, and by all accounts it was a huge success. While the world’s greatest sporting event put the spotlight on South Africa’s ICT structures for a month (they passed with distinction), the sector’s long-term health on the continent is also looking rosy. As a recent Ernst & Young report on the global telecoms sector shows, many European operators have been increasing their exposure to emerging markets in recent years, and Africa is superseding Asia as a target. Emerging markets have been accounting for an ever-growing slice (33% in 2009 up from 16% in 2007) of global deal values. There’s lots of opportunity for expansion here, especially in the rural areas. See our article on page 28 about this new frontier.
A 2008 court case in South Africa has had an important spin-off for open peering. The precedent-setting ruling allowed two ISPs to carry traffic from each other’s networks with no bandwidth charges – effectively cutting out the telecoms middleman. See page 36 for more details on how smaller players are connecting among themselves.
The nearly three decades of civil war that followed Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975 destroyed the economy of this West African country. Following the return of peace in 2002, Angola’s economy has boasted double-digit growth rates. Of course it faces some daunting challenges but it is admirable that the government has focused on building an information-based society, with science, mathematics and ICTs high on the list of desirable qualities for the new generation. Learn more about its aim of interconnecting the country through a fibre-optic backbone on page 50.
We have another innovative story on page 66 about an invention which is the brainchild of David Green, a medical doctor in Cape Town, South Africa. In short it’s the marrying of a pill bottle with an integrated SIM card. A transmitter tracks the opening of the bottle and analyses a patient’s medicine on a server, alerting medical staff if medicine is not taken.
Finally, on page 72 we have an update on the International Telecom-munication Union’s plan to change from analogue to digital television broadcasting. The 2015 deadline was hugely criticised, particularly as far as it pertained to Africa and the challenges presented by technology, licensing and infrastructure investment. We’re glad to report that common sense has prevailed and the roll-out on the continent has been given more of a breathing space.
PATRICK FARRELL
Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology
Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry
Radar – Athur Goldstuck on Telkom
Line of vision – WIOCC CEO Chris Wood
Field of dreams – The continent’s telecoms potential
Peer pressure – Formalising open peering
Cell by rate – Update on the interconnection fees debacle
Growing pains – Angola strives for ICT development
Silver lining – Future communications solutions today
Dose of practicaility – Mobile tech is revolutionising e-health
One to watch – Will Africa meet the digital TV deadline
What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions
