Transforming Telecoms in sub-Saharan Africa- The Past, Present and Future
By Andrew Barendse
Despite inauspicious beginnings, the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region would eventually become one of the fastest growing regions for mobile connections. It is hard to imagine now, but by the turn of the 21st Century the region was considered one of the least connected regions in the world. Fixed telephones were sparse, technology was outdated, connections were slow, and waiting lists were long. Moreover, fixed network operators were slow to respond to the pent-up demand. The above-mentioned quote by Thabo Mbeki, captured the dire state of affairs. The original quote, and numerous subsequent iterations of it, sought to highlight the state of telecoms on the continent and served as an important call to action.
Transforming Telecoms in Sub-Saharan Africa- The Past, Present and Future
- Series:
- IIC 50th Anniversary Book
Andrew Barendse (Dr)
Managing Executive Regulatory Affairs, Vodacom SA; Director, International Institute of Communications 
