Carriers are now using mobile data as their weapon of choice in the fight
against the commoditization of voice and falling ARPU. With so much at stake
it is imperative that carriers have networks which can consistently and
reliably deliver robust data performance to their customers. In this report we
show there is wide variation in how effectively carriers in Africa and the
Middle East are achieving this objective today. There is a genuine risk that
carriers which develop a reputation for inferior performance will suffer high
churn and loss of subscribers.
This study is based on data speed and latency measurements collected using a
speed test smartphone app. This approach has allowed ARCchart to collect
millions of individual test readings from hundreds of thousands of users who
have conducted tests for virtually every mobile carrier in virtually every
country in the world. This report focuses on operators in Africa and the
Middle East. ARCchart has estimated averages for download speed, upload speed,
latency and overall network quality for 72 carriers in 25 countries in this
region.
A wide variation in mobile broadband performance is observed, with some
operators achieving speeds many times faster than competing carriers in the
same market. For example, in Morocco, Medi Telecom shows the country's fastest
download average of 978 kbps while inwi manages just 124 kbps. In South
Africa, Vodacom's upload average is 1,227 kbps, while MTN's is 564 kbps.
Analysis of the test measurements shows that all 2G and 3G data air interfaces
are encountered amongst operators, namely GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSPA+.
There is no evidence of LTE anywhere in the region. By utilising a graphical
representation of test reading distribution, a profile of each carrier's
network performance is constructed, providing insight into the data
technologies in play and the capacity supported.
A carrier performance matrix was developed in order to determine which mobile
operators achieve the best overall performance across the four metrics
measured in this study - download, upload, latency and broadband coverage.
The results show that du in the UAE has the best overall mobile broadband
network of all the AME carriers examined. The top six operators are all in the
Middle East and three South African operators make it into the top 10.
A league table was also developed for countries, ranking each country based on
the download performance of its carriers' networks. The UAE, Angola and Saudi
Arabia take the top three spots.
The test data also reveals valuable metrics unrelated to network performance,
such as the carrier market share for iPhone, iPad and Android devices, and the
relative penetration of smartphones for each country. The general trend
observed shows the more affluent countries with greater levels of smartphone
penetration.
The test data also allow us to determine the relative market share which
Android device OEMs have with each carrier and in each country. This shows
that Samsung dominates the region's Android market, while Motorola has little
presence and trails behind Sony Ericsson in most markets.
The majority of carriers examined in this research have implemented HSDPA
within their network and 65% have deployed HSPA+. In most countries in the
region there is at least one carrier which has migrated to HSPA+. Algeria,
Iran, Iraq and Zambia are the only countries where none of the carriers have
implemented HSPA+.
Despite the prevalence of HSDPA, the vast majority of carriers in the region
still have a reliance on 2G data transmission, with just over 90% of operators
showing activity over GRPS or EDGE.
About ARCchart
ARCchart is an independent research and consulting firm focusing on all aspects of the wireless communications sector. Based in London, ARCchart's depth and breadth of analysis provides a global perspective on wireless technology and industry developments. Combining original thinking with exceptional knowledge and experience, ARCchart assists clients in making sound commercial decisions about technologies, market strategies and competitive positions. ARCchart's strategic advice covers all aspects of the wireless value-chain - ranging from semiconductors and WLANs to network operators, handsets and mobile applications.
Report Statistics
Publication Date:March 2012
Total Number of Pages:180
Formats:Paper copy, PDF
Data Formats:Excel Spreadsheet
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
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
List of Figures
Figure 1 - Mobile broadband network quality ratings by country
Figure 2 - Smartphone penetration by country
Figure 3 - iPhone and Android penetration by country
Figure 4 - Example cellular technology network distribution diagram
Figure 5 - Example regional profile diagram
Figure 6 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Algeria
Figure 7 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Algeria
Figure 8 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Algeria
Figure 9 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Algeria
Figure 10 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 4
towns/cities in Algeria
Figure 11 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Algeria
Figure 12 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Angola
Figure 13 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Angola
Figure 14 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Angola
Figure 15 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Angola
Figure 16 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Angola
Figure 17 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Angola
Figure 18 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Egypt
Figure 19 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Egypt
Figure 20 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Egypt
Figure 21 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Egypt
Figure 22 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Egypt
Figure 23 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Egypt
Figure 24 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Ghana
Figure 25 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Ghana
Figure 26 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Ghana
Figure 27 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Ghana
Figure 28 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Ghana
Figure 29 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Ghana
Figure 30 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Iran
Figure 31 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Iran
Figure 32 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Iran
Figure 33 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Iran
Figure 34 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Iran
Figure 35 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Iran
Figure 36 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Iraq
Figure 37 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Iraq
Figure 38 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Iraq
Figure 39 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Iraq
Figure 40 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Iraq
Figure 41 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Iraq
Figure 42 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Israel
Figure 43 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Israel
Figure 44 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Israel
Figure 45 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Israel
Figure 46 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Israel
Figure 47 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Israel
Figure 48 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Jordan
Figure 49 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Jordan
Figure 50 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Jordan
Figure 51 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Jordan
Figure 52 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Jordan
Figure 53 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Jordan
Figure 54 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Kenya
Figure 55 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Kenya
Figure 56 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Kenya
Figure 57 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Kenya
Figure 58 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Kenya
Figure 59 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Kenya
Figure 60 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Kuwait
Figure 61 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Kuwait
Figure 62 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Kuwait
Figure 63 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Kuwait
Figure 64 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Kuwait
Figure 65 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Kuwait
Figure 66 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Lebanon
Figure 67 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Lebanon
Figure 68 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Lebanon
Figure 69 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Lebanon
Figure 70 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Lebanon
Figure 71 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Lebanon
Figure 72 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Madagascar
Figure 73 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Madagascar
Figure 74 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in
Madagascar
Figure 75 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Madagascar
Figure 76 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Madagascar
Figure 77 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Madagascar
Figure 78 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Morocco
Figure 79 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Morocco
Figure 80 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Morocco
Figure 81 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Morocco
Figure 82 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Morocco
Figure 83 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Morocco
Figure 84 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Mozambique
Figure 85 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Mozambique
Figure 86 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in
Mozambique
Figure 87 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Mozambique
Figure 88 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Mozambique
Figure 89 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Mozambique
Figure 90 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Namibia
Figure 91 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Namibia
Figure 92 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Namibia
Figure 93 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Namibia
Figure 94 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Namibia
Figure 95 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Namibia
Figure 96 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Nigeria
Figure 97 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Nigeria
Figure 98 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Nigeria
Figure 99 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Nigeria
Figure 100 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Nigeria
Figure 101 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Nigeria
Figure 102 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Oman
Figure 103 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Oman
Figure 104 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Oman
Figure 105 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Oman
Figure 106 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Oman
Figure 107 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Oman
Figure 108 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Qatar
Figure 109 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Qatar
Figure 110 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Qatar
Figure 111 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Qatar
Figure 112 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Qatar
Figure 113 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Qatar
Figure 114 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Saudi Arabia
Figure 115 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Saudi Arabia
Figure 116 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Saudi
Arabia
Figure 117 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Saudi
Arabia
Figure 118 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Saudi Arabia
Figure 119 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Saudi Arabia
Figure 120 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
South Africa
Figure 121 - Market shares for Android OEMs in South Africa
Figure 122 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in South
Africa
Figure 123 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in South
Africa
Figure 124 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in South Africa
Figure 125 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
South Africa
Figure 126 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Tanzania
Figure 127 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Tanzania
Figure 128 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in
Tanzania
Figure 129 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Tanzania
Figure 130 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Tanzania
Figure 131 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Tanzania
Figure 132 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Uganda
Figure 133 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Uganda
Figure 134 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Uganda
Figure 135 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Uganda
Figure 136 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Uganda
Figure 137 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Uganda
Figure 138 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
UAE
Figure 139 - Market shares for Android OEMs in UAE
Figure 140 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in UAE
Figure 141 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in UAE
Figure 142 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in UAE
Figure 143 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
UAE
Figure 144 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Zambia
Figure 145 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Zambia
Figure 146 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in Zambia
Figure 147 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Zambia
Figure 148 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Zambia
Figure 149 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Zambia
Figure 150 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Zimbabwe
Figure 151 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Zimbabwe
Figure 152 - Average download and upload performance for carriers in
Zimbabwe
Figure 153 - Cellular technology network profile for carriers in Zimbabwe
Figure 154 - Smartphone activity and download performance for top 5
towns/cities in Zimbabwe
Figure 155 - Market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in
Zimbabwe
Figure 156 - Android and iPhone device market share for Americas region
Figure 157 - Android OEM market share for Africa & Middle East region
List of Tables
Table 1 - List of countries covered in this research
Table 2 - HSDPA and HSUPA support by the four iPhone models
Table 3 - Download performance league table by country
Table 4 - Carrier league table, ranked by overall performance rating
Table 5 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Algeria
Table 6 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Angola
Table 7 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Egypt
Table 8 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Ghana
Table 9 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Iran
Table 10 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Iraq
Table 11 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Israel
Table 12 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Jordan
Table 13 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Kenya
Table 14 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Kuwait
Table 15 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Lebanon
Table 16 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Madagascar
Table 17 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Morocco
Table 18 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Mozambique
Table 19 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Namibia
Table 20 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Nigeria
Table 21 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Oman
Table 22 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Qatar
Table 23 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Saudi Arabia
Table 24 - Summary of network performance for carriers in South Africa
Table 25 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Tanzania
Table 26 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Uganda
Table 27 - Summary of network performance for carriers in UAE
Table 28 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Zambia
Table 29 - Summary of network performance for carriers in Zimbabwe
Table 30 - Carriers with HIGH or GOOD mobile broadband coverage ratings
Carrier Mobile Broadband Network Performance: Africa & Middle East published by ARCchart in March 26, 2012. This report consists of 180 Pages and the price starts from US $ 1586.
