The document discusses the potential for mobile broadband in Africa and considerations for expanding mobile infrastructure on the continent. It provides an overview of the GSMA and its work promoting mobile infrastructure development. Specifically, it outlines an example collaborative initiative between mobile operators to implement economically efficient models for providing mobile broadband access to underserved areas. The initiative involves feasibility studies, regulatory adjustments, and pilot programs to identify best practices for connecting more people. It also notes that mobile operators are expected to invest $900 billion in infrastructure from 2016-2020, with Africa being a major focus, and highlights policymaker considerations around infrastructure sharing and single wholesale networks.

1. Towards Digital & Mobile Africa
Mortimer Hope, Director of Africa, GSMA
Connect 2 Connect: Affordable Infrastructure Development, South Africa
19th -21st July, 2016

2. • About the GSMA
• The potential of mobile broadband in Africa
• Mobile Infrastructure
• Example of Mobile industry collaborative
initiative
• Considerations for Policymakers &
Regulators
Outline

3. About the GSMA
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4. Source: GSMA Intelligence (2015)
The potential of mobile broadband in Africa
Fixed telecommunications infrastructures are both underdeveloped and
expensive in most African countries

5. CONFIDENTIAL
Infrastructure is a key enabler
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6. 6
Mobile Infrastructure development is multi-
dimensional
 Airtime excise
 SIM card tax
 Import duties
 Surcharge in Incoming
International Traffic (SIIT)
 Reduced licence fees for rural
 USF allocation
 Subsidized energy access
 Subsidized satellite backhaul
 Passive sharing
 Active sharing
 Roaming
 Access to ducts, electricity
poles, roads & railways,
public rooftops
 Preferential access to
national fibre backbone
 Fast-track site planning
 700Mhz assignment
 Spectrum Pooling
 TV White Space

7. Scope & Objectives
1. build & actively support local operators’ collaborations in the
implementation of economically efficient model for the provision
of mobile broadband access to the underserved
2. identify and advocate regulatory adjustments for the
implementation of sustainable mobile broadband access
provision to the underserved
3. provide best practices to the industry globally on connecting
unconnected population
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Example of Mobile Industry collaborative initiative
The GSMA Infrastructure Economics Programme

8. 8
IE Country Pilots Project Roadmap
DUE DILIGENCE
CONCEPTS
REVIEW
FEASIBILITY
STUDY
FIELD PILOT
DESIGN &
AGREEMENT
REGULATORY
ADJUSTMENTS &
APPROVAL
LEGAL
STRUCTURE
ROLL-OUT
MONITORING
PHASE 1
STRATEGY
PHASE 2
PILOT
PHASE 3
IMPLEMENTATION

9. CONFIDENTIAL
Figures & Forecasts
 Operator CAPEX is up to USD 78bn between 2015-
20, largely driven by data growth
 The mobile industry is projected to invest USD 900bn
between 2016 and 2020 into mobile infrastructure to
continue to fuel its growth, and Africa will be a big part
of this
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Source: GSMA Intelligence (2015)
Source: gsma.com/betterfuture

10. CONFIDENTIAL
Considerations for Policymakers & Regulators
1. The GSMA supports infrastructure sharing as an industry
approach to address national/regional broadband objectives
2. There is opportunity for government to lend support to
infrastructure initiatives of operators by phasing out USFs and
discontinue collection of USF levies
3. Introduction of Single Wholesale Networks (SWN) as an
infrastructure alternative for network may lead to worse outcomes
for consumers in terms of availability and quality of service
4. Co-existence between the existing mobile networks and the SWN
is also likely to increase uncertainty which will have a dampening
effect on investment in mobile broadband services
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11. Thank you for your attention
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Mortimer Hope - Director Africa, GSMA
mhope@gsma.com