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telecommunications retail of devices south africa

Telecommunications and Retail of Devices in South Africa 2024

Michael Felton | South Africa | 31 March 2024

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Report Coverage

This report focuses on the South African telecommunications industry and the market for mobile electronic devices. It focuses on telephony, internet and mobile broadband (wireless internet), and the relevant supporting infrastructure. It provides comprehensive information on telephony and internet access, telecoms revenue, capex, the fibre optic network, mobile fixed and broadband subscriptions, network traffic, subscribers and prices. There is also information on the major players, corporate actions, influencing factors and technology and innovation. There are profiles of 61 companies including major players MTN and Vodacom, Telkom, Cell C, and Rain, fibre companies such as Vumatel, Afrihost and FibreCo and cellphone companies including Huawei and Samsung.

Introduction

• South Africa has a well-established and competitive telecommunications industry, with major players including the MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, Cell C and Rain.\r\n
• About 60% of industry revenue is earned from mobile services (data, voice and messaging).\r\n
• The country has a high mobile penetration rate, with a significant portion of the population owning mobile phones. \r\n
• There has been significant telecommunications infrastructure development, with the expansion of 4G and the deployment of 5G networks. \r\n
• The retail market for electronic devices, particularly smartphones, is robust. \r\n
• The growth of ecommerce has affected the retail sector, as many consumers prefer to purchase devices online. \r\n
• Global smartphone manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung and Huawei have a significant presence.

Trends

• 5G rollout and expansion.
• Advancements in camera technology.
• Asian smartphone brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi and others are gaining traction.
• Digital transformation and integrating technologies like AI and machine learning.
• Ecommerce dominance.
• Expanding mobile accessories market, such as cases, chargers, wearables.
• Fibre-optic network expansion.
• Focus on sustainability
• Growth in smartphone adoption with a focus on mid-range devices.
• Improved network security and resilience.
• Increased demand for data and digital services, including mobile internet, streaming and apps.
• Introduction of foldable devices.
• Mobile financial services, including mobile banking and digital payment solutions.
• Regulatory developments relating to spectrum allocation and licensing.
• Remote work and the need for reliable connectivity, cloud services and video conferencing.
• Smart city projects, including smart infrastructure, IoT applications and data-driven urban planning.

Opportunities

• 5G network expansion, including deployment of infrastructure and services.
• Affordable smartphone access.
• Collaboration with local content providers and customisation for local preferences.
• Cybersecurity services.
• Deployment of IoT technologies, intelligent infrastructure and data analytics for urban development.
• Digital inclusion initiatives and rural connectivity projects.
• Ecommerce partnerships.
• Fibre-optic network deployment.
• Local manufacturing initiatives.
• Mobile financial services and fintech.

Challenges

• Affordability and access.
• Affordability and market saturation of mobile devices.
• Competition dynamics pose challenges for newer entrants.
• Competition from new entrants and alternative service providers, such as over-the-top platforms and services and mobile virtual network operators.
• Consumer privacy concerns.
• Digital divide.
• Ecommerce challenges such as cybersecurity threats, fraud and logistical issues.
• High cost of internet and data
• Highly competitive industry.
• Infrastructure investment and development including coverage to rural and underserved areas, and the need to upgrade the existing LTE/4G infrastructure.
• Maintaining consistent and high-quality service is an ongoing challenge, including network congestion, downtime and service disruptions.
• Network security concerns.
• Regulatory complexity.
• Spectrum availability and allocation challenges.
• Supply chain disruptions.
• Technological obsolescence.

Outlook

• Customer demands are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with requirements such as seamless connectivity, competitive pricing, personalised experiences, innovative solutions and exceptional customer service.\r\n
• The industry will be driven by the expansion of the mobile subscriber base, growing 4G subscriptions, projected growth in 5G service adoption, increasing mobile internet subscriptions and increasing the mobile data average revenue per user. \r\n
• Fixed broadband service revenue will also increase, supported by robust growth in fibre to the home subscriptions and strong growth in fixed wireless lines. \r\n
• The increase in subscriber growth, demand for mobile data, digital transformation and bridging the digital divide are set to drive network expansion.

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Telecommunications and Retail of Devices in South Africa
Telecommunications and Retail of Devices in South Africa 2024

Full Report

R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1134.15 (USD)*

Industry Landscape

R 14 000.00(ZAR) estimated $ 793.90 (USD)*

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Value Chain 4
2.2. Geographic Position 8
2.3. Size of the Industry 9
3. LOCAL 30
3.1. State of the Industry 30
3.2. Key Trends 48
3.3. Key Issues 48
3.4. Notable Players 49
3.5. Corporate Actions 54
3.6. Regulations 58
3.7. Enterprise Development and Social Development 60
4. AFRICA 62
5. INTERNATIONAL 71
6. INFLUENCING FACTORS 78
6.1. Unforeseen Events 78
6.2. Economic Environment 79
6.3. Labour 80
6.4. Environmental Issues 83
6.5. Electricity Supply 85
6.6. Technology, R&D, Innovation 86
6.7. Government Support 87
6.8. New Spectrum 88
6.9. Input Costs 88
7. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT 89
7.1. Competition 89
7.2. Ownership Structure of the Industry 90
7.3. Barriers to Entry 91
8. INDUSTRY SUMMARY 92
9. OUTLOOK 94
10. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 95
11. REFERENCES 96
11.1. Publications 96
11.2. Websites 97
Annexure 1 – Industry Legislation 100
Appendix 1 - Summary of Notable Players 110
COMPANY PROFILES - Telecommunications 128
Afrihost SP (Pty) Ltd 128
Altron TMT (Pty) Ltd 130
ATC South Africa Services (Pty) Ltd 133
Bitco Telecoms (Pty) Ltd 134
Blue Label Telecoms Ltd 136
Bridging Technologies South Africa (Pty) Ltd 141
Broadband Infraco SOC Ltd 143
Business Connexion (Pty) Ltd 146
Celcom Group (Pty) Ltd 149
Cell C Ltd 152
Cybersmart (Pty) Ltd 155
Dark Fibre Africa (Pty) Ltd 157
Datapro (Pty) Ltd 159
Datatec Ltd 161
Dimension Data (Pty) Ltd 165
DNI-4PL Contracts (Pty) Ltd 167
Ekasi Fibre (Pty) Ltd 169
EOH Mthombo (Pty) Ltd 170
FibreCo Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd 174
Fibrepoynt (Pty) Ltd 176
FirstRand Bank Ltd 177
FoneWorx (Pty) Ltd 182
Frogfoot Networks (Pty) Ltd 184
Gateway Communications (Pty) Ltd 186
Huge TNS (Pty) Ltd 188
Ignition Telecoms Investments (Pty) Ltd 190
IHS Towers South Africa (Pty) Ltd 192
Jasco Electronics Holdings Ltd 194
Liquid Telecommunications South Africa (Pty) Ltd 198
Metro Fibre Networx (Pty) Ltd 200
Mr Price Mobile (Pty) Ltd 202
MTN Group Ltd 203
MVN-X (Pty) Ltd 208
Nokia Solutions and Networks South Africa (Pty) Ltd 209
Nokia South Africa (Pty) Ltd 211
Rain GTM (Pty) Ltd 213
Reunert Ltd 215
SEACOM South Africa (Pty) Ltd 220
Sentech SOC Ltd 222
SGT Solutions (Pty) Ltd 225
Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd (The) 228
Swiftnet SOC Ltd 233
Telemasters Holdingsc Ltd 235
Telkom SA SOC Ltd 238
Teraco Data Environments (Pty) Ltd 242
Too Much WiFi (Pty) Ltd 245
Truteq Wireless (Pty) Ltd 247
Vodacom Group Ltd 249
Vox Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd 254
Vumatel (Pty) Ltd 257
COMPANY PROFILES – Devices 259
Cell C Ltd 259
Cellucity (Pty) Ltd 262
Core Computer Group (Pty) Ltd (The) 263
DNI-4PL Contracts (Pty) Ltd 265
FirstRand Bank Ltd 267
Hisense SA Sales Holdings (Pty) Ltd 272
Huawei Technologies Africa (Pty) Ltd 274
KNR Flatrock (Pty) Ltd 276
Lenovo (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd 278
LG Electronics S A (Pty) Ltd 280
Microsoft (S A) (Pty) Ltd 282
Mr Price Mobile (Pty) Ltd 287
MTN Group Ltd 288
Samsung Electronics South Africa (Pty) Ltd 292
Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd (The) 294
Telkom SA SOC Ltd 299
Vodacom Group Ltd 303
ZA Online Store (Pty) Ltd 308
ZTE Corporation South Africa (Pty) Ltd 310