EA mobile subscribers expected to reach 99.5 million in 2015

Research and Market has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan’s new report “East African Mobile Communications Markets” to their offering. With current 37.6 million mobile subscribers with a penetration rate of 30.8 percent, the East African mobile communications market is expected to show strong growth based on increasing demand for mobile communications that is used as a substitute for low quality fixed-line networks. The total number of subscribers is expected to reach 99.5 million in 2015, representing a compound annual growth rate of 14.9 percent. The launching of undersea cables is expected to reduce the cost of telecommunications by 60 percent over the next seven years, which drives the demand growth in particular of mobile internet access. This Frost & Sullivan research service titled East African Mobile Communications Markets provides a comprehensive analysis on the industry challenges, market drivers and restraints, revenue and expenditure forecasting and competitive landscape. In this research, Frost & Sullivan’s expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) and wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA). The research service analyses the following four mobile communications markets in east Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Inexpensive Handsets and Increasing Network Investments to Drive the East African Mobile Communications Market The east African mobile communications market is in its growth stage, and is likely to experience the highest market competition and development in Africa. The east African region includes Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. In 2008, Kenya had the highest number of active subscribers and revenues among the four countries. Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda are likely to witness significant growth over the next 7 years by increasing network investments, continuing product innovation and reducing handset costs. “The key drivers of the east African mobile communications market include rising gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates, increasing demand for mobile money transfer services, and declining mobile handset costs,” says the analyst of this research. “Despite the low disposable incomes of the east African consumers, the rising GDP growth rate indicates greater consumer spending on mobile communications due to the low fixed-line network coverage, underdeveloped banking system, and the current limited availability of inexpensive handsets.” Ends