Abstract
In order to evaluate the appropriate strategy for next-generation broadband as a video platform in Africa, the current state of broadband and factors affecting its growth and advancement must be examined. In that regard it is notable that, while, in the second decade of the twenty-first century, Africa is emerging as a world leader in narrowband mobile technology, it remains a laggard in broadband Internet, on both fixed and mobile platforms. This chapter reviews why broadband matters for Africa’s future and examines some of the reasons why individual middle-income countries—Botswana, Mauritius, and South Africa in particular—are failing to compete at a level that might be expected. In the second half of the chapter, some developments on the horizon are reviewed, including the impending digital switchover, which could offer a one-time opportunity to expand broadband access in Africa.
The views expressed in this chapter are those of the author and do not necessarily engage the World Bank or its membership.
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Kelly, T. (2014). The State of Broadband in Africa: What’s Here and What’s Coming?. In: O'Neill, J., Noam, E., Gerbarg, D. (eds) Broadband as a Video Platform. The Economics of Information, Communication, and Entertainment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03617-5_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03617-5_4
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