Sudatel launches HSPA overlay over EV-DO
Breaking with its previously proclaimed ‘minimum capex’ strategy based on CDMA-2000 technology, Sudan’s Sudatel launched an HSPA network earlier this month which will operate in parallel to the existing 1x EV-DO platform. The new service brings download speeds of up to 7.2Mb/s to subscribers, compared to the 2.4Mb/s supported by EV-DO.
With all three mobile operators in the country now offering HSPA services, in addition to a second EV-DO service from a fourth operator, competition in the broadband market is set to intensify and the vast pricing differences that currently exist will level out.
With mobile market penetration in Sudan still below the African average, there is ample potential for further growth in the voice market as well, but mobile broadband offers an opportunity for the operators to generate additional revenue streams in an environment of rapidly declining ARPU. However, there are vast differences here too: The leading operator currently has more than twice the ARPU of one of its competitors.
It will be interesting to observe whether Sudatel will duplicate the revised technology strategy outside of its home market as well. The company has expanded internationally recently by establishing operations or buying into existing ones in four other African countries and has announced plans for another eight in 2010. Up to 2012 the company will focus entirely on Africa, currently the most dynamic telecoms market in the world.
For more information, see BuddeComm’s updated report:
