How to profitably connect the unconnected
This paper proposes a simple model that provides a clear opportunity for private and entrepreneurial investment that will both yield profitable returns and bring the social and economic benefits of connectivity to those that are currently disconnected.
Introduction:
A simple business case for deploying rural mobile coverage
While mobile penetration continues to grow in Sub-Saharan Africa and other emerging economic regions, the full potential to enable widespread coverage has yet to be realised. According to leading industry group the GSMA, in 2013, mobile penetration reached a mere 31% of the population of the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region1. Clearly, there is potential for huge and unprecedented growth.
The economic benefits of mobile and internet connectivity are well known. Mobile connectivity makes a significant and growing contribution to GDP.
Put simply, the more mobile connections there are, the greater the economic and social benefit. In the same report, the GSMA forecasts that the contribution of the mobile economy will contribute to around 8 percent of total GDP in SSA by 2020, rising from a figure of 6 percent in 2013.
