Carrier Mobile Broadband Network Performance: Africa & Middle East


March 1, 2012
180 Pages - SKU: CCEQ3873400
License type:
Table of Contents Related Reports
Countries covered: Africa, Middle East

Carrier Mobile Broadband Network Performance: Africa & Middle East

 
Carriers are using mobile broadband as their weapon of choice in the fight against the commoditization of voice and falling ARPU. It is therefore imperative that carriers have networks which can consistently and reliably deliver good data performance to their customers.

This study is based on the data speed and latency measurements collected for 72 wireless carriers operating within 25 countries in Africa and the Middle East using a smartphone app. This approach has facilitated the collection of millions of individual test readings from tens of thousands of users who have conducted tests for virtually every mobile carrier in virtually every country in the world. Using these readings, ARCchart has been able to estimate averages for download speed, upload speed, latency and overall network quality, along with a measure of smartphone penetration.

This report shows there is enormous variation in the network performance between carriers and there is a genuine risk that carriers which develop a reputation for inferior performance will suffer high churn and an overall loss of subscribers.

Topics of coverage include:

Research methodology
The importance of mobile broadband to carriers
Analysis and comparison of the performance of country data networks
Analysis and comparison of the performance of carriers' data networks
Carrier network technology profiles
Carrier performance league table
Measuring mobile broadband coverage
The problem of unreliable networks
iPhone, Android and iPad carrier market share
Country smartphone and tablet penetration
Smartphone take-up throughout main towns and cities
Android OEM market share
Companies and organisations mentioned, discussed or reviewed include:
ATM Mobilis Algeria
Orascom Algeria
Wataniya Algeria
Movicel Angola
Unitel Angola
Etisalat Egypt
Mobinil Egypt
Vodafone Egypt
Airtel Ghana
MTN Ghana
Tigo Ghana
Vodafone Ghana
IranCell Iran
MCI Iran
Asia Cell Iraq
Korek Iraq
Mobitel Iraq
Orascom Iraq
Zain Iraq
Cellcom Israel
Orange (Partner) Israel
Pelephone Israel
Orange Jordan
Umniah Mobile Jordan
Zain Jordan
Airtel Kenya
Econet Wireless Kenya
Orange Kenya
Safaricom Kenya
VIVA Kuwait
Wataniya Kuwait
Zain Kuwait
Alfa Lebanon
MTC Touch Lebanon
Airtel Madagascar
Orange Madagascar
Telma Madagascar
inwi Morocco
Itissallat Morocco
Medi Telecom Morocco
mCel Mozambique
Vodacom Mozambique
leo Namibia
MTC Namibia
Airtel Nigeria
Etisalat Nigeria
Glo Mobile Nigeria
MTN Nigeria
Nawras Oman
Oman Mobile Oman
Qtel Qatar
Vodafone Qatar
Etihad-Etisalat Saudi Arabia
STC Saudi Arabia
Zain Saudi Arabia
Cell C South Africa
MTN South Africa
Telkom SA South Africa
Vodacom South Africa
Airtel Tanzania
Tigo Tanzania
Vodacom Tanzania
Zantel Tanzania
du UAE
Etisalat UAE
MTN Uganda
Orange Uganda
Uganda Telecom Uganda
Airtel Zambia
MTN Zambia
Econet Zimbabwe
Telecel Zimbabwe

Answers and opinions are provided with respect to the following essential questions:
  • What is the average download, upload and latency supported by each carriers' network?
  • To what extent has HSPA and HSPA+ been deployed by carriers?
  • Which carriers are big supporters of Android devices?
  • Why should carriers be concerned about their network’s data performance?
  • What is the average data speed achieved in each country?
  • How does broadband performance in the Middle East compare with Continental Africa?
  • Which country has the best performing networks?
  • How does HSPA+ impact data throughput?
  • Which carriers exhibit the region's best performing broadband network?
  • Where is iPad penetration highest?
  • Which carriers are still reliant on GPRS and EDGE infrastructure?
  • What are the top 5 town/cities with the highest smartphone activity?


A. METHODOLOGY
A.1 Data Source – the App
Motivation for Using the App
Location
Data Collection Period and Sample Size
A.2 Limitations of the App
Network Reliability
The Limitation
Handset Performance Variation
The Limitation
The Solution
Handsets versus Dongles and Connected Devices
A.3 The Results
A.4 Availability of the Raw Data
B. INTRODUCTION
B.1 Real World Network Limitations
Factors Affecting Network Performance
Cell Density
Distance
Loading
Backhaul
Environment
Spectrum
Latency
Real World Handset Limitations
B.2 Report Overview
The Average Performance
Determining Mobile Broadband Coverage
Measuring Coverage from the Test Data
Determining Network Reliability
C. COUNTRY ANALYSIS
C.1 Download Performance
C.2 Mobile Broadband Network Quality
C.3 Device Penetration
Measuring Penetration
Overall Smartphone Penetration
iPhone versus Android Penetration
D. CARRIER ANALYSIS
D.1 Overall Carrier Performance Ranking
D.2 Charts and Diagrams Explained
Network Performance
Data Speed Chart
Summary Table
Network Profiling
Cellular Technology Profile
Regional Profile
Device Market Share
D.3 Algeria
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.4 Angola
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.5 Egypt
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.6 Ghana
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.7 Iran
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.8 Iraq
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.9 Israel
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.10 Jordan
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.11 Kenya
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.12 Kuwait
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.13 Lebanon
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.14 Madagascar
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.15 Morocco
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.16 Mozambique
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.17 Namibia
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.18 Nigeria
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.19 Oman
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.20 Qatar
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.21 Saudi Arabia
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.22 South Africa
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.23 Tanzania
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.24 Uganda
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.25 UAE
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.26 Zambia
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.27 Zimbabwe
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Regional Analysis
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
E. DISCUSSION & FINDINGS
E.1 Network Technologies in Play
Status of HSDPA and HSPA+
LTE Performance
E.2 Prevalence of 2G
E.3 Levels of Smartphone Penetration
Countries with High Penetration
E.4 iPhone versus Android
Overall Regional Share
E.5 High iPad Penetration
E.6 Android OEM Market Share

More Broadband reports by ARCchart

TD-LTE Forecast Summary: Infrastructure, Device Shipments, Subscriptions & Service Revenues by ARCchart
More than 50 mobile carriers worldwide have so far committed to TDD LTE technology, and over 30 OEMs have commercially launched TD-LTE compatible devices, with ...
HetNet Market Summary & Forecasts: Macro Cells, Small Cells & Wi-Fi Offload by ARCchart
Carriers are struggling to cope with the explosion of data traffic on their networks, and this has resulted in over 100 commercial LTE network deployments ...
Americas Carrier Mobile Broadband Network Performance. by ARCchart
Carriers are using mobile broadband as their weapon of choice in the fight against the commoditization of voice and falling ARPU. It is therefore imperative ...
Asian Wireless Landscape 2011 by ARCchart
A comprehensive collection of essential metrics and data points for all countries and mobile carriers operating across Asia. Metrics Covered: Network technology used (GSM, ...
See all reports like this >>

More Middle East Broadband reports

Qatar - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts by Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd
Qatar possesses a well developed telecoms market, financed in part from wealth generated by natural resources. The last country in the region to introduce competition ...
Oman - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband by Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd
LTE and new submarine cables drive broadband in Oman Oman’s telecom market continues to evolve in response to increasing competition and technological trends. Fixed line incumbnet Omantels ...
Lebanon - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts by Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd
Lebanon’s telecoms market holds a unique position in the Middle East given the level of government involvement. While most fixed line incumbents in the region ...
Kuwait - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts by Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd
Kuwait is one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East due to its oil dependent economy, which represents approximately 50% of GDP and almost ...
See all reports like this >>

More Middle East reports

Country Risk Service United Arab Emirates January 2013 Updater by Economist Intelligence Unit
Country Risk Service is a comprehensive two-year forecasting service that monitors risks in 100 key emerging markets. It is designed for commercial bankers, institutional investors ...
D&B Country RiskLine Report: Yemen by Dun & Bradstreet Inc.
This D&B Country RiskLine Report will help you analyze the risks, opportunities and likely payment delays when doing business in this country. It includes ...
D&B Country RiskLine Report: The United Arab Emirates by Dun & Bradstreet Inc.
This D&B Country RiskLine Report will help you analyze the risks, opportunities and likely payment delays when doing business in this country. It includes ...
D&B Country RiskLine Report: Syria by Dun & Bradstreet Inc.
This D&B Country RiskLine Report will help you analyze the risks, opportunities and likely payment delays when doing business in this country. It includes ...
See all reports like this >>

 

Research assistance

We can help you find what you need. Call us or write us:
US: 800.298.5699
Int'l: +1.240.747.3093
Need help in your search?
 

Related Markets


Broadband Reports

 
 

Share this report


Other tasks

 
 

Join Alert Me now!

Receive bi-weekly email alerts on new market research

Sign up today!