Ericsson foresees ‘A Networked Africa’

Global leader in mobile telecommunications technologies, Ericsson, has foreseen ‘A Networked Africa’ in the next nine years, just as it formally launched its broadband initiative for the continent tagged ‘A Networked Africa’ in Lagos.

This, Ericsson said, gives it the insight of a better networked continent, which driving force for rejuvenated Africa would be based Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and is expected to transform other sectors of the economy including agriculture, health, transport, media and utilities.

The unveiling of the project was conducted by the duo of Vice President (VP) and Group Chief Finance Office (GCFO), Mr. Jan Frykhammar, and Head, sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Lars Linden.

Speaking at the occasion last Friday, Head, Marketing, Strategy and GIR, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Shiletsi Makhofane, noted that communications and connectivity would fundamentally impact and change the way African society function.

Opportunities in the industry, he said, have shown that Ericsson’s vision of 50 billion mobile connections by 2020, encourages the telecom industry to grasp additional growth in Africa and start the transformation that will drive beneficial changes in society, business and individuals.

“While telecommunications started off focusing on connecting places, it has evolved to connecting people and now Ericsson has its sights on a future that is fully integrated and networked where everything including devices that can benefit from a connection will be connected,” he said.

Predicting a networked Africa, Makhofane said he foresees an Africa where people would have greater control over their personal ecosystems; one would be able to plan the trip home based on real-time traffic information, manage utility bills remotely.

This, he said, would be in addition to interacting with everyday devices remotely too, stressing that the possibilities are endless.

“One could even purchase power for a country home and remotely control home electronics,” he said.

The aforementioned, he said, would be achieved leveraging on Ericsson’s technology leadership and extensive research and development capabilities.

“Ericsson plans to make the vision for A Networked Africa a reality by 2020 through commitment and focus on making mobile broadband a reality for all, ensuring rural connectivity and ultimately redefining rural and urban life in Africa,” he said.

Other top officials of Ericsson who attended the occasion included the Vice President Communications, Mr. Mwambu Wanendeya, and Head, Sourcing and Country Manager for Nigeria, Mr. Gary Dewing.

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