Research and Markets: Examine Africa's Convergence, IP Networks, WiMAX

Business Wire, March 12, 2008

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c85678) has announced the addition of "Africa - Convergence, IP Networks, WiMAX" to their offering.

With poor fixed-line network infrastructure in most African countries, the extent of Next Generation Networks (NGN) and services on the continent is still limited. There are, however, some encouraging developments. Several countries have launched broadband initiatives and are rolling out dedicated IP networks and new fibre optic links. Given the still large amounts of unsatisfied demand for basic voice services in Africa, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a primary application at this stage, and this technology is now gaining ground on the continent following steady improvements in Internet bandwidth, deregulation in several countries and the growing number of VoIP service providers entering the market. At least four operators in Africa are currently planning to launch converged triple-play (voice, data and video) services. WiMAX technology, currently being rolled out in at least six African countries, will enable the continent to leapfrog straight to wireless NGNs at affordable cost.

Topics Covered:

- Synopsis

- IP and Next Generation Networks in Africa

- VoIP Telephony in Africa

- VoIP telephony in selected African countries

- Related reports

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