GSMA: high spectrum prices hold back African connectivity

A GSMA report found African operators spend 0.82% of revenue per 100 MHz of spectrum versus 0.66% globally, while holding about 570 MHz below 7 GHz against a 750 MHz global average. 4G coverage reached 83%, but only 28% of Africans use mobile internet versus 66% worldwide.

• Spectrum costs 0.82% of revenue per 100 MHz in Africa vs 0.66% globally
• Operators hold ~570 MHz below 7 GHz, 24% below the global average
• Only 28% of Africans use mobile internet, versus 66% worldwide
• Average mobile download speed is 27 Mbps vs 98 Mbps elsewhere