Telecommunications services and networks in emerging countries: the case of Africa

Conference/debate organized by
le Groupe Réseaux & Services and the Africa Group of Télécom ParisTech alumni

The African cell phone market is the second largest in the world in terms of number of users (around 600 million in 2016), with one African in two subscribing. This market is dominated by transnational operators including Vodacom, MTN, Orange, Airtel and Tigo, present in over 80% of countries.

At present, 2G mobile networks cover almost 95% of the continent's population, 3G coverage is close to 50%, and 4G technology is reserved for the main urban centers. Extensive rural areas are poorly served. This is partly due to deficiencies in electricity and road networks. Satellite links are often used as a last resort, as they are costly.

In terms of aggregation infrastructure (transport), the development of submarine cables and optical terrestrial links represents a real challenge for high-quality Internet access.

The technical offer of equipment manufacturers, at economic conditions adapted to this market, is decisive for the development of the sector.

Over the past few years, we have witnessed the significant development of Towercos, whose job is to optimize the management of high points, in particular by reducing power supply and security costs, and by hosting several operators.

In Africa, more than anywhere else, telecoms services are a real lever for a country's economy. Mobile technologies meet a wide range of socio-economic needs. Here are just a few examples of applications:

• Banking: facilitating access to banking and financial services, and enabling mobile payments,
• Agriculture: disseminate critical information that helps small-scale farmers improve their productivity and income.
• Health: improve the quality, reduce the cost and extend the reach of healthcare.

The aim of this conference is to take stock of all these issues.
To address these topics, we have called on experts and market players, who will give their views and share their experience, through several presentations:

• Dominique Baron, President, Cabinet HORUS: Introduction / state of the art
• Hervé Suquet, CTIO MENA (North Africa and Middle East), Orange MEA :
  Telecoms: driving development in Africa
• Patrick Lohat, Orange Account Marketing Department, Huawei:
  The technical answer from an equipment manufacturer
• Pierre-Marie Bussière, Founder, YRIWA and Point Singulier:
  Sharing passive telecom infrastructures
• Jean Philippe Haag, Senior Industry Adviser, Telecom and Media, Société Générale:
  Telecoms financing in Africa and the development of mobile financial services

These presentations will be followed by a round-table discussion with the speakers, who will be joined by:

• Jean-François Teillet, founder of SOPEX, who will speak on the development of MVNOs in Africa.
• Denis Pagnac, CEO of SUMMVIEW, who will talk about media content platforms.
• Harry Youmbi, co-founder of Bmeet, a professional business network in Africa.

Access is free and the conference is open to all. Pleasefeel free to circulate the invitation.
Registration (online) is imperative to gain access to the conference room, and ID will be required at the entrance as part of the vigipirate plan.