In 2008, Zimbabwe experienced hyperinflation which led to increased prices and shortage of basic goods. Mobile phones became a luxury item. However, there was a need for communication. This led to the emergence of the second hand mobile phone market. Gtel identified this need for affordable mobile devices and became the first local brand in Zimbabwe. They faced challenges like brand acceptance and perceptions of dual-SIM phones. Since 2008, mobile internet and smartphone usage has grown significantly in Zimbabwe. By 2014, mobile internet usage is predicted to surpass desktop usage. This shift has led to a more connected society but also challenges for network operators around managing various devices on their networks.

1. PRESENTED BY ROBERT GONYE

3. ZIMBABWE IN 2008

4. ZIMBABWE IN 2008
⁺ A year in Zimbabwe characterized by:
⁺ Hyperinflation where the black-market and use of
foreign currency were in play.
⁺ This led to the increase in price for basic commodities
and further elevated prices for luxuries
⁺ Imbalance of the demand and supply systems which
affected industries , the Telecommunications being
the major although it was not apparentthe major although it was not apparent
⁺ Lack of access to proper mobile devices because they
were expensive. Less people have mobile phones and
as a result mobiles were a luxury.

5. IMPLICATIONS OF THIS SITUATION
+ Excess Demand over Supply
+ Slowing down of Economic Development ( Affected
Education, Infrastructure, Telecommunications, Health
Industry
+ Impractical Trends

6. + Due to the hyper –inflation mobile phones were seen as a
luxury.
+ The need to communicate and connect was present but was
out of the reach of many due to the outrageous price one had
to incur to acquire a mobile device.
+ This lead to the SECOND HAND TREND , where even so people
would pay huge amounts of money for popular brands
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MOBILE INDUSTRY
would pay huge amounts of money for popular brands
+ We as Gtel identified this NEEDNEEDNEEDNEED and hence their existence to
provide affordable mobile devices for the low –medium
income bracket

7. + Although there was a definite need for mobile phones as
communication needs were growing, We faced a lot of
challenges such as;
+ Brand Acceptance (First local phone brand in Zimbabwe)Brand Acceptance (First local phone brand in Zimbabwe)Brand Acceptance (First local phone brand in Zimbabwe)Brand Acceptance (First local phone brand in Zimbabwe)
CHALLENGES FACED
+ Poor Perception towards DualPoor Perception towards DualPoor Perception towards DualPoor Perception towards Dual---- Sim phonesSim phonesSim phonesSim phones

8. TRENDS IN CELLPHONE USE
+ Since then the use of Mobile electronic devices has
grown.
+ From the basic feature phones to Smartphones,
ebook readers, tablet computers
+ Global internet usage through mobile devices has+ Global internet usage through mobile devices has
almost doubled in Zimbabwe since 2008
+ Our predictions are that by 2014, mobile Internet
will overtake desktop Internet usage.

9. SHIFT IN MOBILE PHONE TRENDS
+ The Ongoing move from
Basic Phones (Calling& SMS) to
More Advanced Smartphones has to a huge
extent Led to :
+ Possible Elimination of Desktop computers
+ A more connected society (in touch with global current
affairsaffairs
+ Improved Telecommunications Systems
+ A huge demand/ need for Broadband
+ Elimination of Communication Barriers ( Skype, Video
calling,
+ Potential of more advanced communication platforms

10. SMARTPHONE TRENDS

11. SMARTPHONE TRENDS
+ OUR product offering over the past years has
changed significantly mainly based on ever-
changing mobile trends.
+ From the very basic feature phones to the more
advanced Smartphones.
+ Gtel now offers a wide product offering,
+ Amazingly since the introduction of Smartphones at
least 85% of our total sales over the past 12
+ Amazingly since the introduction of Smartphones at
least 85% of our total sales over the past 12
months are from our Smartphone offering. We are
at the heart penetration and we are making it
affordable to the lower earning individuals

12. Feature PhonesPhonesPhonesPhones Smartphones
SMARTPHONE TRENDS
Feature PhonesPhonesPhonesPhones
+ Basic functions–
Calling/SMS’s
+ Basic Internet
Smartphones
+ Enhanced Functions- Calling
/ SMS’s/ Video Calling /
+ Social Networking-
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/
+ Documents To Go- Microsoft
Word access

13. + Gtel now offers a wide product offering as with;
+ On-going mobile trends
+ Globalisation
+ Improved Information Technologies
+ The needs of users have also evolved with time. Amazingly since
the introduction of Smartphones at least 85%of our total sales
over the past 12 months are from our Smartphone offering.
SMARTPHONE TRENDS
+ Currently we are at the heart penetration and we are making it
affordable to the lower earning individuals

14. MOBILE/INTERNET TRENDS IN ZIMBABWE
+ More than 50% of all internet accessed is accessed on a
mobile device.
+ We have the highest rate of internet access on a mobile
device than in any other country in the world. This is largely
based on the fact that there is lack of PC penetration owning
influenced by the high levels of unemployment, thereforeinfluenced by the high levels of unemployment, therefore
not everyone has PC internet access at the work place or at
home.
+ A huge percentage of individual’s disposable income is spent
on mobile phones especially Smartphones.

15. The shift in Smartphone trends also results in some challenges
for Network operators and ISP’s.
Telecoms Operators are increasingly relying on wireless Data
Services as one of the primary source of revenue
CHALLENGES FACED BY THE TELECOMSCHALLENGES FACED BY THE TELECOMSCHALLENGES FACED BY THE TELECOMSCHALLENGES FACED BY THE TELECOMS
INDUSTRYINDUSTRYINDUSTRYINDUSTRY
Services as one of the primary source of revenue
The effectiveness of currently available device management
solutions pose a major challenge

16. New top end Smartphones& unbranded devices gaining
popularity are non-OTA compatible
DM/OTA failure, device not identified in network are regular
issues that plague Telecom Operators.
Request for Email Configuration, Streaming Settings, Device
Tethering etc .are on the rise
THE MOST PRESSING OPERATORTHE MOST PRESSING OPERATORTHE MOST PRESSING OPERATORTHE MOST PRESSING OPERATOR
CHALLENGESCHALLENGESCHALLENGESCHALLENGES
Tethering etc .are on the rise
Multiple vendors for multiple solutions model posses a customer
support nightmare
Almost daily introduction of new devices in the market add to
the chaos
Absence of multilingual tools present a regional language barrier
for catering to the low end market

17. THE MOST PRESSING OPERATORTHE MOST PRESSING OPERATORTHE MOST PRESSING OPERATORTHE MOST PRESSING OPERATOR
CHALLENGESCHALLENGESCHALLENGESCHALLENGES

18. EVOLUTION OF DATA CONSUMPTION
+ The definition of Internet, broadband for our clients is not necessarily
googling and searching their most important need is Facebook and
Whatsapp.
+ We have come up with pre-loaded content for our Smartphone users
that we believed would enhance the user experience such as weather
and news updates
+ However, to our amazement the main challenge we faced is the cost of
internet as most clients come and ask us to remove these applications
because they consume a lot of their (airtime) data.
+ Thus we have identified that the need to go on internet is definitely
there but it’s not affordable.

19. ON GOING LOCAL TRENDS 2013
+ Mobility- People expect to be able to work, learn, and
study whenever and wherever they want.
+ Mobile devices contribute to this trend, where increased
availability of the Internet feeds and the expectation of
access.

20. ON GOING LOCAL TRENDS 2013
+ Convenience - Eliminate any communication hassles
+ Connectivity- Everyone will want to be connected on the go,
anywhere , anytime

21. MOBILE &DATA CONSUMPTION TRENDS
+ This paradigm shift in how people, particularly younger
people, connect and interact with the Internet is fuelled by
the
+ Development of an increasing variety of Internet-capable
mobile devices,mobile devices,
+ Expansion of networks that support connectivity, and
+ Increasing focus by web content providers on creating
flexible web content that is accessible via mobile devices.

22. IMPLICATION FOR USERS
+ The shift to Smartphones from the more basic feature
phones has seen a change and users incurring a higher
data usage cost / consumption
+ This is because Smartphone's run several applications
which help in synchronizing the phone to make it Smart
as it is intended to be.

23. DATA CONSUMPTION & BROADBAND PRICES
There are different Apps available on the different Smartphone markets,
however most being social apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

24. DATA CONSUMPTION & BROADBAND ANALYSIS
Based on our observations and analysis , Broadband usage in Zimbabwe has
increased significantly from the end of 2012 to present date.
The price for fixed broadband across the world ranges from just over $5 per
month to the unbelievably high $1,700 per month.

25. DATA CONSUMPTION & BROADBAND PRICES
+ The least expensive broadband is to be found in Sri- Lanka, at just $5.5 per
month
+ Cuba has by far the most expensive broadband at $1,753 / month .
+ Second most expensive is Swaziland at $875 per month

27. SOME BROADBAND USES
+ Broadband has several uses that have contributed to the
improvement of human life as well as the development of many
countries which include but are not limited to ;
+ Economic Development
+ Public Safety
+ Healthcare
+ Education
+ Communications
+ Telecommuniting

28. BROADBAND USAGE DRAW-BACKS
Internet Service Providers obviously have their own basis for
coming up with the tariffs but currently in Zimbabwe
1.AVAILABILITY is only a small part of the problem.
Most people reporting an ability to subscribe to broadband,
but 2. COST, 3. KNOWLEDGE, and 4. A LOW PERCEPTION ofbut 2. COST, 3. KNOWLEDGE, and 4. A LOW PERCEPTION of
need holding them back.

29. + The three main factors that we have identified as being the limiting
causes as to why Zimbabwe still lags behind in terms of internet
broadband yet the need is there are ;
+ Cost
+ Speed
LIMITING FACTORS FOR EXTENSIVE
BROADBAND USE IN ZIMBABWE
+ Speed
+ Knowledge / Low perception of Need

30. + Most of our Smartphone users, do not know the real meaning of
broadband and terms like 2G/3G/4G however internet speed is definitely
important to them.
+ Also from our research we saw that Internet broadband usage has to do
with literacy, which in Zimbabwe is quite high. At present Zimbabwe ranks
LIMITING FACTORS
with literacy, which in Zimbabwe is quite high. At present Zimbabwe ranks
as one of the countries with the highest literacy rates together with Tunisia
and Botswana

31. + Literacy rates, - Being amongst the countries with high literacy rates
in Africa , ISP’s can stand to benefit hugely from this . (Extensive e-
learning= increased broadband usage)
+ Education to a certain extent can be seen as one of the biggest
broadband usage influencer as Educated people see the need to be
OTHER BROADBAND INFLUENCES
online….’worldreader books for all’

32. + Big Operators look at how many people want to be on the
internet, YET everybody wants to be on the internet but are
mainly limited by the cost.
+ Thus if they re-evaluate they will be amazed on the increase
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION
in usage and ultimately the increase in revenue

33. As Gtel we believe that by the end of 2013, 90% of our total sales will
be Smartphones and 10% feature phones.
We are currently working on a Smartphone that has a long life battery
and will still maintain a low cost as we don’t see a reason why people
cannot be connected all the time.
BROADBAND USAGE INFLUENCES
cannot be connected all the time.

34. + Because of the literacy rate in Zimbabwe, there is a possible niche
uptake with 80% of the current mobile users shifting towards the use
Smartphones.
+ This will result in the increase in the need for Broadband and the
only barrier to entry being the cost. if potential users become more
BROADBAND USAGE INFLUENCES
knowledgeable and have their perception changed towards Internet.

35. + Increased Smartphone penetration
+ Increased Broadband Usage
+ Increased Revenue for ISP’s (Economy’s GDP)
+ Improved ICT systems
+ Increased Growth ( Economy Growth/ Education growth –
eLearning)
THE RESULTS =
eLearning)
+ Improved connectivity and Business Solutions
+ Increased Opportunities i.e. (employment opportunities)
+ Implementation of world-class cutting edge- systems

36. THANK YOU