Ericsson puts telephone users at 80% in Nigeria, other SSA countries

SWEDISH technology firm, Ericsson in its latest Mobility Report has revealed that mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa has reached 80 per cent, with a projection to see 100 percent penetration by 2021 with over one billion telephone users.

The regional report reflected that while the average revenue per user (ARPU) for data has been rising, leading to a higher contribution of data revenue to total operator revenue, this does not quite offset the drop in voice ARPU.

According to it, by the end of 2021, monthly mobile data traffic in SSA is expected to be almost 2,200 Petabytes (PB). It noted that between 2015 and 2021, data traffic is projected to grow 15 times in the region, driven by an increased spread of LTE, adding that smartphones will account for almost 95 per cent of mobile data traffic by 2021, up from close to 80 percent in 2015. Voice traffic over the same period will only marginally increase.

The Mobility Report informed that global mobile subscriptions are growing around five per cent year-on-year. India grew the most in terms of net additions during the quarter (+13 million), followed by China (+7 million), the US (+6 million), Myanmar (+5 million), and Nigeria (+4 million).

In addition, the report said there will be 150 million 5G mobile subscriptions by 2021. 5G networks, based on standards that meet ITU IMT-2020 requirements, are expected to be deployed commercially from 2020.

South Korea, Japan, China and the US are predicted to lead with the first, and fastest, 5G-subscription uptake. 5G is expected to connect new types of devices, enables new use cases related to the Internet of Things (IoT); the transition will open up new industries and verticals to ICT transformation.

Regional Head of Ericsson Sub-Saharan Africa, Fredrik Jejdling said: “In Sub-Saharan Africa, the dividends of connecting the unconnected through mobile broadband access and driving new services cannot be overlooked as it allows business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

“For example, increased connectivity improves the prospect of financial inclusion for the 70 percent unbanked through mobile money services starting to take form across Africa. The same is true for transformation in the agriculture, healthcare and even the media industries. As we approach 100 percent mobile penetration, focus should be on ensuring that the value of ubiquitous mobile access is harnessed for the common good of all.”