AFRICA IN THE WIRELESS WORLD 

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

Friday,  June  16, 2000.

DO you know the new name of our planet? Once upon a time, this part of heaven was just known as the world. The communications technology turned it into a global village. Now, the global village is called THE WIRE-LESS WORLD, thanks to mobile communications technology.

Latest statistics released by an authoritative US-based communications technology organisation called Strategies Group, indicates that by the end of this year, there will be 600 million wireless users. Already, there are over 385,000 wire-less Internet subscribers, and it is estimated that by the year 2005, wireless-e-commerce service alone, will attract 43 million subscribers.

There will also be 500 million mobile phones in operation by 2003 with 85 per cent of all phones shipped in the USA alone. And by 2006, 25 million people will be using what is termed as wireless web portals in America.

Right now, it is reported that. 7 million people do receive data over wireless Internet devices, and that by 2003, this figure will be expected to reach 25 million.

Furthermore, another American-based organization - Yankee Group, also hinted that in five years time, the number of US mobile data users will reach 20 million, of which 1.5 million will use what is referred to as a dedicated mobile connection. Again, it is estimated that nearly 50 per cent of all cellular users will be using data in some form or another by 2010 and above all, the world market for mobile commerce will reach US $200 billion by 2004.

As a layman, the purpose of this piece is to alert Africans, especially African communications experts that something is happening in the Information and Communications Technology front. Wireless technology is shaping the way the world communicates. African telecom experts must not allow the continent to be marginalised. African communications experts must stand up and be counted.

 Africa must mobilize itself and take its share of the $200 billion world market for mobile commerce earmarked for the year 2004.

May I take this opportunity to suggest to all African telecom operators, especially those in Ghana to take advantage of the forthcoming "PCIA Global exchange" exhibition scheduled to take place in McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA, in September this year and learn something. This is one exhibition that is expected to bring together over 18,000 visitors from 75 nations.

All human beings and organizations that matter in communications technology will be there to justify their inclusion.

AIl world's leading carriers, Internet service providers, telecom operators, software developers, wireless voice, Interactive Messaging and Wireless Data providers, Broadband technologists, distributors and corporate end-users will be there to compare notes and exchange new ideas. The PCIA Global Exchange is where the WIRE-LESS WORLD will converge.

Will Africa be in the Wireless World?

The author works with Information Services Department (ISD) abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was first published by the Daily Graphic, Friday,  June  16, 2000.