Friday News Round Up of the Week's Hot Stories

Emerging markets are increasingly seen as hubs of innovation and creative start-ups in their own right – not just attractive investment prospects. So in this age of activity, advancement and never ending news, we thought we’d put together a list of all the Hot stories we come across.  The Com World Series team live and breathe emerging markets, so we want to make sure we spread the news!
Hot Stories in Emerging Market

Why mobile operators should consider startup funding in Africa:
http://www.techzim.co.zw/2012/03/why-mobile-operators-should-consider-startup-funding-in-africa/
30 brilliant African tech startups:
http://memeburn.com/2012/03/25-brilliant-african-tech-startups/

The Top 10 Mobile Apps in Africa:
http://www.appsafrica.com/1/post/2012/03/top-10-mobile-apps-in-africa.html

MTN to spend R24bn on infrastructure this year:
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/mtn-to-spend-r24bn-on-infrastructure-this-year-2012-03-07

Next step in 21st century education for students in Africa:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/19/idUS65898+19-Mar-2012+HUG20120319
Blog Spot
Tunisiana's Ken Campbell talks about his company's strategy ahead of his participation to North Africa Com:
http://comworldseries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/tunisianas-ken-campbell-talks-about-his.html
Image of the Moment
Mobile Devices in Africa:
http://pinterest.com/pin/9218374207334586/
Webinar of this Week
Two-Sided Business Model with OTT apps and SPs hindered by risk adverse culture among telecom operators:
http://webinars.telecoms.com/webinar/telecoms-operators-and-otts/

The Com World Series team concentrates on emerging markets in Africa, the Middle East and Eurasia 24/7 – 365 days of the year.

Inspiring EurasiaCom event addresses challenges and opportunities in the new communications ecosystem

The 8th annual EurasiaCom conference and exhibition took place this week in Istanbul and showed a shift in the debates which were traditionally focused on telcos's strategies and infrastructure developments.
As participants from the region's communcations sector gathered to debate the challenges and opportunities for all stakeholders in the new digital ecosystem, the main message of the conference was one of major change in the market: with the growth of new players such as OTT and content providers, operators need to adapt to sustain growth and to maintain the relation with their customers.
Keynote speakers Cengiz Oztelcan (Director of International Operations at Turk Telekom) and Ekrem Yener (Chief International Expansion Officer at Turkcell) both insisted on the need for new business models for operators. Mr Oztelcan said his company was creating a horizontal model rather than a vertically-integrated one, covering a wide ecosystem; Mr Yener said he didn't see his company as a telecoms operator but as a technology company, and that it may change to becoming a service company. Other operators - such as MTS, Avea, Kyivstar, Antenna Hungary, Makedonski Telekom, and more - agreed that they need to innovate and to build new partnerships in order to answer customers' changing needs.
Non-operator brands were also present to give their perspectives on the market, and they raised some challenging thoughts. Salih Ozka of Nokia gave his vision of a market where "in a few years' time the top 3 global operators will be Apple, Google and Microsoft; the traditional telcos will have to adapt now if they want to stay in the game".
The event also provided many networking opportunities - the exhibition was buzzing with people continuing the debates and meeting new contacts and potential suppliers. For the first time at EurasiaCom a Speed Networking session allowed sponsors to make face-to-face contacts with senior operators. Participants also enjoyed more informal networking time at the end of the day at the Drinks Reception sponsored by Comptel.
EurasiaCom was sponsored by HP, Commscope, Comptel, Comviva and Jinny Software. It will take place again in Istanbul in 2013 on 19-20 March.

Andy Brauer - CTO at BCX - discusses Cloud in Africa

Business Connexion's (BCX) CTO Andy Brauer chatted to the Com World Series team about Cloud ahead of the industry leading event - Cloud Africa - which is taking place in Johannesburg on the 23-24 May.

CWS: How would you describe existing ‘’cloud services’’ in Africa?

AB: Cloud Services in Africa are on the increase and gaining momentum.

CWS: What would you say is the level of awareness about cloud in your country/region’s ICT market?

AB: The Awareness is high and the understanding is starting to improve.

CWS: How rapidly do you think the adoption of cloud will reducing capital and operational expenditure for enterprises in Africa?

AB: This depends on which models you use the Capex will we reduced but the Opex can under some circumstances increase.

CWS: What do you think is needed to drive improved and cheaper bandwidth in Africa for cloud?

AB: The Fibre is In the Ground it is getting the last mile fired up which will bring the real competition and lead to better prices

CWS: Have you seen an increase in IT spend (in your business/country/region), and if yes, has it included investment in cloud?

AB: Yes 15% in cloud

CWS: What do you think is preventing enterprises in Africa from implementing cloud?

AB: Enterprises cannot switch to a cloud quickly as they have current investment. What is happening is that they are going for new services Which they are moving to a cloud base. Power and Bandwidth are some of the concerns, there is still a perception about security but internet banking is a form of Cloud which most people already use.

CWS: What do you think are the 3 key advantages gained by companies using cloud as part of their IT services?

AB: Cost Reduction - Agility - Faster time to launch New busienss

CWS: Which key message do you want to highlight during your participation at Cloud Africa in Johannesburg later this year?

AB: Cloud is about service choice and the models take on a more peer to peer nature as time progresses.

Andrew John Brauer is CTO at Business Connexion and has extensive local and international ICT experience and is involved in researching and introducing new technologies to create business value. His strengths include networking telecommunications, system management, open source software development and service-orientated architecture, and now developing cloud computing models.

Brauer has worked on most of the technologies in the ICT arena. These include: electronics, telecommunication, software development, system and network management, system integration, strategy, operations, management and business development.

The leadership roles which he has held over the years include technical director, chief information officer and executive director. His current role is CTO – being internally and externally focused. He is on the Research and Advisory panel of the Mereka Institute at the Council for Industrial and Science and a runner up in the ITWeb Visonary awards for 2011.

For more information about the Cloud Africa event click here.

Tunisiana's Ken Campbell talks about his company's strategy ahead of his participation to North Africa Com

Ken Campbell was appointed CEO of Qtel-owned Tunisiana in December 2011. He was CCO at the Tunisian operator in 2003-2004, before moving on to Vodafone Romania, Bite Group in the Baltic region, and WIND in Italy. At the time of his appointment, Dr. Nasser Marafih, CEO of Qtel Group, said: “Ken brings great experience and track record in the commercial and customer services, and will prove instrumental in ensuring that the quality of customer experience is consistently at the highest possible levels.”
The Com World Series team asked him his thoughts on Tunisia's telecoms, media and ICT market, and his strategy for the company.

CWS: What is Tunisiana’s position in Tunisia’s telecoms, media and ICT market?
KC: Tunisiana is the leading mobile operator in Tunisia. Offering mobile services directly and internet services through its Tunet affiliate, Tunisiana is also bidding for a 3G and fixed line license in order to extend its offering.

CWS: You came back to Tunisiana in late 2011 – How do you think the company has changed since you last were there in 2004?
KC:The company has certainly developed a lot since 2003. We were the challenger back then and now we are the leader. The company today has a strong, quality infrastructure with a wide range of services - and is led by a very experienced and high quality management team.

CWS: What are your objectives and how do you see Tunisiana’s strategy evolve in the years to come?
KC: Our main objective in the short term is to secure a license for fixed and 3G services. Assuming we are successful in this, our goal is to become the leading communications provider in Tunisia on all dimensions. In achieving this, we will maintain a focus on delivering the best customer experience in the country.

CWS: What are the main challenges affecting the development of the telecoms, media & ICT market in the region, and more particularly in Tunisia?
KC: Historically, I would say that the main challenge was a regulatory challenge. The market was far from transparent and the regulator was handcuffed by the political establishment. Today, we have a government that wants clear and open competition between the players and is intent on providing a strong environment for investment and growth. We also see a regulator that is more independent and intent and working in the interests of the consumer and the health of the industry. The challenge is to achieve all of this but I see a desire and willingness that will get us there.

CWS: Which trends or services do you think will shape the market in the coming year(s)?
KC: Data and IP connectivity are clearly the drivers of change and development. We are obviously looking forward to the increased performance and improved experience that will come with 3G and eventually LTE. I also see lower cost 3G handsets allowing for more people to use rich data applications. A lot of factors are converging to provide a healthy environment for growth in our market.

CWS: What has been in the impact of the Arab Spring on the business climate in the region and more particularly in Tunisia?
KC: People emerged from the revolution very optimistic about the future. This optimism is somehow offset by the economic reality that change will take time and that businesses have suffered. I think business people are still a little nervous. Investors do not like uncertainty and so they will wait to see how the government and people react to this new democracy. While I expect 2012 to be slower, I am hopeful that business will improve in 2013 as investors see the potential in this country and the people here.

CWS: How important is the North Africa Com event in promoting the telecoms, media & ICT market in the region and what do you expect from your participation?
KC: I am very pleased that Tunis is hosting this event. I look forward to meeting my regional counterparts and talking about our challenges and mutual growth opportunities. I expect good discussion and sharing throughts - and I welcome our counterparts in the industry to Tunis.

Ken Campbell will be a keynote speaker at North Africa Com, taking place in Tunis on 15-16 May, alongside other leaders from the region's operators, regulators, content providers, investors and more.

Dmitry Kromsky shares Vimpelcom's CIS strategy ahead of EurasiaCom

Dmitry Kromsky heads the CIS business unit at Russian-based telco VimpelCom. he began his career in telecommunications over 15 years ago, working at Samsung Electronics, Vostok Mobile.b.v. holding and MCT Corp.
He came to VimpelCom in 2002 as the Central region director before being appointed General Director of LLP Kar-Tel (TM Beeline in Kazakhstan) and having his remit extended to look after other acquired companies in the CIS. In 2009 he became Vice President, CIS Business Development, and has headed the CIS business unit of VimpelCom Ltd since 2010.
Here he answers questions from the Com World Series team on his company's strategy in the emerging markets of the CIS and on how to adapt to changes in the telecoms, media & ICT market.

CWS: What is Vimpelcom’s regional strategy in the CIS?
DK: The CIS business unit’s purpose is to grow faster than the market, to increase the market share and demonstrate positive dynamics in subscriber base. Strategic focus of our business is still the development of broadband Internet access, both mobile and fixed.
Moreover, as a part of VimpelCom group we will continue to be on the delivery of our Value Agenda and the 2011 financial results provide a good platform for profitable growth and improved cash flows.

CWS: Which markets offer the best opportunities for growth?
DK: In comparison with developed markets, emerging markets of the CIS countries have the great potential to growth in different directions. For example in Kazakhstan where internet penetration rate is about 53% of the country's population*, we are focusing on FTTB network development. As a result, fixed-line broadband subscribers base increased 5 times in 2011.
But in some CIS counties, such as Tajikistan or Uzbekistan, even mobile penetration is below 90%**, thus we have huge opportunities there. Overall, the expansion goes very rapidly and despite of intensified competition, VimpelCom revenues continued to grow at double-digit rates YoY in all CIS markets as a result of improving macroeconomic conditions, strong product offerings, and efficient sales and marketing efforts.

CWS: How is Vimpelcom adapting to new market conditions such as increased competition from new players like Google or content providers?
DK: Increasing competition from content providers forces operators to adjust their business models to maintain business growth and achieve an acceptable level of profitability. VimpelCom follows such changes very closely and ready to correct its approach if necessary.

CWS: How is the operator’s business model changing, and what shape will it take in the future?
DK: The main trend in operator’s business model is focus shift from voice services to data transfer. Increasing data traffic trend let us double data revenue of CIS business unit in 4Q 2011 YoY.
The most considerable growth was noted in those countries where we recently started 3G networks development, such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. So, for example, in Kyrgyzstan data usage trends drove a significant mobile data revenue increase of 151% YoY.

Unfortunately, Dmitriy Kromsky will be unable to attend the EurasiaCom event in Istanbul on 20-21 March. The event will include presentations from leading regional operators (including Turkcell, MTS, Turk Telekom, Kyivstar, among others) as well as telecoms & ICT vendors, regulators, digital media specialists, content providers and more.

*The Statistics Agency of Kazakhstan 2011
**ComNews Research data 2011

Mbugua Njihia CEO Symbiotic, Founder of MMA East Africa & Mobile Monday Kenya to speak at East Africa Com on social platform Sembuse

Mbugua Njihia is CEO of Symbiotic Media – the company that created Sembuse, an SMS based messaging service for Africans looking to enjoy social networking. Mbugua is also a Safaricom Innovation Board Member, a Founding Member of the East African chapter of the Mobile Marketing Association, as well as the Founding Chair of Mobile Monday (Kenya Chapter).

The Com World Series team caught up with Mbugua ahead of the East Africa Com conference and exhibition (Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, 17-18 April) to find out a bit more about this speaker’s experiences and focus.

CWS: How would you sum up the characteristic of the East African telecoms, media and ICT industry this year?

MN: One word – Evolving. Market forces and innovation are ensuring that all players in the ecosystem are constantly on the lookout for new opportunities. The biggest challenge remains the business models to be employed as cut throat competition, especially in the telecoms space, sees mobile operators enforce strict KPI’s on their managers that mean they are not flexible to explore differentiated models. The investments done to realize mobile data have also forced the MNO’s to frown on data revenue share as they seek to recoup their costs.

CWS: Which type of services do you think consumers are going to be calling for in 2012?

MN: Mobile commerce will grow in demand with increased mobile phone utility and a better exposed consumer base. I use mobile commerce as opposed to e-commerce as the channel for these payments will be mobile.

Mobile entertainment still ranks high in consumer demand; the challenge is to innovate both on content, delivery and business model.

CWS: How important do you think cost-efficiency/reduction is for service providers in East Africa this year?

MN: With increased competition, service providers must cut costs but retain service quality. We have seen Airtel outsource certain functions to IBM to cut costs and focus on core business. This means providers must look at tools and partnerships that help meet these two objectives.

CWS: What do you think are the 3 key attributes needed to succeed in East Africa’s telecoms, media and ICT industry going forward?

MN: Innovation, partnerships and capital

CWS: What do you think is needed to improve mobile services for the underserved in Africa?

MN: I think the entry of governments in the provision of government centric services on mobile will drive both adoption and awareness of services. This will affect positively the rollout improved mobile access by the MNO’s as there will be a better case for ARPU with increased demand for data driven services. Private sector innovation will then follow suit leveraging on open data initiatives and increased consumer demand.

CWS: Which key message do you want to highlight to the audience during your participation at the MMA Summit @ East Africa Com in Nairobi this April?

MN: Local competency on matters mobile development is available and its imperative that brands and other players seeking to make use of the channel to meet their business objectives tap into it. Mobile is an indispensible part of the marketing mix. For the mobile network operators, be flexible on piloting different business models and open up access to network resources that will allow for increased innovation on services.

Mbugua Njihia is CEO of Symbiotic Media, Safaricom Innovation Board Member, Founding Member of the East African chapter of the Mobile Marketing Association, Founding Chair of Mobile Monday (Kenya Chapter).

@mbuguanjihia www.mbuguanjihia.com

Symbiotic Media is an emerging leader in mobile business, mobile entertainment and custom web and mobile application solutions. The company’s expertises stretch from development of public services, mobile and web based software platforms, business process improvement, distribution and monetization of content, and more.

www.symbiotic.co.ke

East Africa Com is endorsed by those at the top of regional telecoms, and delivers a heavy-weight speaker-line up that features established giants, new, smaller entrants and everything in between.

You’ll gain a comprehensive overview of all the latest “need to know” topics in the multi-streamed conference while meeting potential new suppliers and partners in the 25 stand networking exhibition which is packed with some of the world’s foremost technology and solution providers.

If you do telecoms business in East Africa, this is an event you cannot afford to miss www.eaafrica.comworldseries.com

Sergey Nichiporuk of MTS Ukraine joins the group of speakers at EurasiaCom next week

Sergey Nichiporuk, Head of the Strategy Department at MTS Ukraine, will join the panel discussion on broadband strategies in the region at the EurasiaCom conference taking place in Istanbul on 20-21 March. The panel will also include representatives of operators Delta Telecom from Azerbaijan, Makedonski Telekom from Macedonia, and the Turkish ICT regulator.
EurasiaCom is the leading event for the telecoms, media and ICT industry in Turkey, Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS. The conference will look at the changes in the industry in light of new technologies, new services, innovative business models and the arrival of alternative players. The event is sponsored by HP, Commscope, Comptel, Jinny Software and Comviva.

Tiemoko Coulibaly to share Airtel Africa's strategy in Francophone markets at West & Central Africa Com

Tiemoko Coulibaly, CEO for the Francophone Africa Region at Bharti Airtel, has confirmed his participation to the West & Central Africa Com event taking place in Dakar, Senegal in June.
He will share his views of Airtel's strategy in the region, and of how developments in the market are affecting business models and opportunities. When we met at Mobile World Congress last week, Tiemoko said that the last year had been focused on implementing the strategy planned by Airtel when it acquired Zain Africa in 2010. He refuted that Airtel had engaged in a price war to increase its position in its markets, saying that such comments were extrapolated from the situation in Kenya; indeed in Francophone markets such as Gabon, DRC and Chad, the company brought its tariffs down to the existing market's level. Challenges in the region remain unchanged: building infrastructure, power provision, and finding and keeping talent. However Tiemoko believes that the economic environment is positive, which should increase customer spending and in turn penetration. To reinforce Airtel's position in the region, Tiemoko will focus on key strategic points: continuing the launch of 3G across the region, developing strategic partnerships, and launching attractive services such as Airtel Money.
Tiemoko Coulibaly is a key figure in Africa's communications and wider business market, with more than 22 years’ experience in marketing, sales and general management. He became Chief Executive Officer of the Francophone Africa region following the acquisition of Zain Africa by the Bharti Group in June 2010. He also serves as a board member of Airtel within Africa. Prior to the acquisition, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Zain Africa’s Francophone countries from March 2006, overseeing seven operations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Madagascar, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger. In his role as COO, he provided strategic direction and operational guidance to the Francophone region, contributing in strengthening market position in the operating companies of the region, despite aggressive competitive attacks. Prior to his role as COO, he was the Group Marketing Director - Operations of Celtel International B.V., based in the Netherlands.
At West & Central Africa Com, he will be joined by representatives of other major players in the region's market such as Orange, MTN, Google, Expresso Telecom, Millicom, Etisalat. The event is sponsored by Sonatel Orange, ACE Consortium, O3B Networks, Telecom Italia Sparkle, Corning and BICS.

Is 2012 the year when the smartphone market will take off in Africa?

The latest smartphones and devices where as usual major subjects of discussion at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last week. But there was a difference this year: emerging markets were much more present in the conversations, and Africa featured in a way that hasn't really been heard before.

Improved internet connections in Africa have vastly improved in the last few years, thanks to investment in network and infrastructure developments. Now the next step is for consumers to access it with affordable and reliable devices, and smartphones are the primary device tool for internet access in the region. Manufacturers and operators seem to embrace the fact that Africa is ready for a shift in its market, and that now is the time to develop the right strategies if they don't want to be left behind.

There are some strong signs that 2012 is the year where device strategies will play a crucial role in expanding Africa’s telecoms, media and ICT market. The whole digital ecosystem is playing a part in the development of device strategies:
- international manufacturers are launching low-cost smartphones answering the needs of the market: Nokia is still dominating the handset market boosting its emerging markets strategy with more attractive low-cost smartphones, Blackberry remains a strong brand in the business community, and all major manufacturers (Samsung, Huawei, ZTE, LG, HTC, Motorola) have launched or announced low-costs smartphones targeted to emerging markets
- African entrepreneurs such as VMK in Congo are entering the market by developing tablets locally
- operators are launching device strategies as a way to boost mobile data usage and therefore revenues;
- developers and content providers are making the most of the smarpthone opportunities to launch innovative services for the local market.

AfricaCom 2012 (Cape Town, SA, 13-15 November) is reflecting this key market trend with a new keynote session on Handset & Device Strategies for African Markets. The session will be held in the opening keynote session and will give handset manufacturers an opportunity to give brief presentations before joining a panel discussion with leading operators to discuss strategies to develop the mobile device market in Africa. The panellists will discuss the requirements to offer a suitable range of devices including low-cost handsets, smartphones and tablets, as well as which platforms will be most successful in Africa and for what segments. In addition, the AfricaCom programme will include other sessions where devices will be discussed: mobile content, AfricApps (addressing developers’ needs), enterprise ICT Africa.

Accenture Confirmed as Sponsor of Efficiency & Cost Management Stream at AfricaCom 2012

Accenture, the market leader in telecom consulting and outsourcing solutions, is confirmed as sponsor of the 'Efficiency & Cost Management' stream at AfricaCom, taking place in Cape Town on 13 and 14 November 2012. The objective of the session is to examine how operators in Africa can increase their margins by improving operational efficiencies. It will include analyses, operator presentations, panel discussions and case studies covering topics such as outsourcing, managed services, creating a lean organisation, and improving staff performance.
Accenture is an ideal partner for this stream, as the company has a broad spectrum of business and technology offerings and services that help communications clients unlock profitable growth, improve operations and achieve high performance. They serve wireline, wireless, cable and satellite communications network operators, as well as new entrants, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and Internet players. With more than 20 years of experience in technology integration and operations management, Accenture has developed long-standing relationships with 18 of the world’s top 20 communications companies, and 41 of the top 50. Accenture has the global scale and reach to deliver innovative and comprehensive solutions to address the critical needs of service providers.
Accenture helps communications companies generate more value from their assets, operations and human resources, bringing new products and services to market in a faster and more cost-effective way. They work closely with our clients to create the technology and business capabilities that help them outperform their competition.
Accenture’s market approach is built upon a foundation of market-tested, industry-leading practices that work to reduce risk and jump-start the delivery of profitable services to the marketplace.