Total AME (Africa and Middle East) handset subscriptions of 733m in 2018, is set to reach 1.4bn by 2023, with smartphones accounting for 81% of handsets in 2023 from 54.4% in 2018, according to GlobalData. During the same period, feature phone subscriptions will decline at a CAGR of -11.7%.
Jonathan Bachrach, Senior Technology Analyst at GlobalData comments, “The massive growth in smartphone adoption will be largely driven by increasing penetration through lower priced handsets, more affordable device plans, 3G / 4G coverage expansion, growing OTT video adoption and larger data bundles.''
This report identifies the technology underpinning the move toward deployment of 5G networks. The report focuses on key developments across the radio, core and transport network domains. The report also identifies the established and emerging vendors participating in the 5G market and identifies important networking innovations being developed to enable network operators to achieve 5G's full potential.
Several retailers and telcos in AME countries sell smartphones for between US$20 and $50. For example, SOUQ Egypt sells the Hisense U601s’ for $34 and Jumia Nigeria sells the Itel It6910 for $24. In Tanzania, Vodacom is selling several devices for less than $50 as part of a promotion, an Itel gado sells for $44.
