GSM, acronym for Global System for Mobile communication, is this most popular form of mobile communication technology in Africa. Technically, GSM is a digital platform for transmission of voice and data traffic from the mobile network operator to subscribers, and vice versa. The popularity of GSM in Africa is not unconnected to it's widespread deployment, worldwide. Other close competitors to GSM in Africa are: CDMA and AMPS. Other 'flavours' of CDMA, are basically improvements on CDMA and they are: CDMA2000 and CDMAone.
Bands
Globally, GSM exists on the bands: 850MHz (predominantly in the Americas), 900MHz (Africa, Asia & Europe), 1800MHz, and 1900MHz. Most GSM networks in Africa operate on the 1800MHz band. Newer handsets that are Triband, or Quadband, would work on all GSM networks in Africa.
GSM mobile phones
Naturally, most compatible handsets are the dual-band ones: 900MHz/1800MHz. Check your handset/cellphone/PC Card, and make sure it is compatible with the networks in the country you are visiting in Africa, before taking off from your country.
Evolution
GSM service is gradually being upgraded across Africa. New technologies are available that can make the transfer of data faster and more efficient. These include GPRS, EDGE and UMTS. Since GSM is 2nd generation mobile technology, it is in the class of 2G, whilst GPRS is 2.5G, EDGE is 2.75G and UMTS is 3G.
GPRS has since deployment in Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, whilst it is still being test-run in Ghana.
Ghana's Spacefon Areeba announced their plan to launch Africa's first EDGE-capable network back in April 2004, but are currently still testing their new GPRS service. EDGE is currently available on MTN South Africa's cellular network.
Africa's first 3G (UMTS) cellular network is was rolled out in Mauritius in November 2004, followed by Vodacom South Africa, in December 2004.
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See also:
- GSM in Africa
- Mobile Technology spotlight: What is GPRS?
- Technology spotlight: What is EDGE?
- Guide To Wireless Phones
- Mobile Phone Usage In Africa and the future
- Mobile Phone Market in Africa
- Mobile Telephony. Which Way For Africa
