Ericsson is increasing its engagement in Africa and is mobilizing key stakeholders in the community towards a visionary future for sub-Saharan Africa.
With access to a network, Ericsson believes people in Kenya, and other parts of eastern Africa would have greater control over their personal economics; they would be able to plan trips based on real-time traffic information, manage utility bills and interact with everyday devices remotely. The possibilities are endless; one could even purchase power for a country home and remotely control home electronics.
During the official launch of the campaign in Nairobi, Kenya’s Minister for Information and Communications, Honourable Samuel Poghisio lauded the initiative as a critical step in promoting innovations that would create a competitive advantage in the region and globally.
“I am happy to note that rapid advances in the field of Information Technology (IT) and the resultant explosive growth of the information services sector have radically changed the world’s economic and social arena. These changes have given rise to a new society based on information and knowledge,” he said.
Ericsson says its view of a networked society is in line with the Kenyan government’s strategy of leveraging on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for robust economic growth as described in Kenya’s Vision 2030. The economic blueprint envisions an ICT literate population, an innovative private sector and ICT-Compliant Government as the key ingredients for sustainable growth.
“My Ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders has prioritized Information Communication Technology access and effective use at all levels including the provision of public access facilities, through digital villages, relevant content, and increased capacities,” the Minister added.
According to a study by Arthur D Little in 2010, for every 1,000 broadband connections, 80 new net jobs are created. And for every 10 percent of mobile broadband penetration 1 percent sustainable GDP is added.
Craig Hosken, Head of Ericsson in Kenya, emphasised on the firm’s commitment to creating enabling environments and systems for communities to flourish both socially and economically.
“ICTs can play a big role in creating a more sustainable planet, transforming industries and empowering the African people. Leveraging on our technology leadership, extensive research and development capabilities, Ericsson plans to make a networked Africa a reality through commitment and a focus on making mobile communications and broadband available to all,” he said.
Hosken gave insights into how telecommunications and connectivity will fundamentally transform the way African societies function. He explored growth opportunities in the industry, emphasised Ericsson's vision of 50 billion connections by 2020 and implored the telecom industry to grasp its additional growth opportunities in Africa and start the transformation that will drive beneficial changes for society, business and individuals.
He noted that although telecommunications started off focusing on connecting places, it then evolved to connecting people, and Ericsson is placing emphasis on a future that is fully-integrated and networked where everything (including devices) that can benefit from a connection will be connected.
“From the student at Makerere University in Kampala who is connected to classrooms in the United States, to the fisherman in Kisumu on Lake Victoria who is saved from a storm by an emergency call, to the Search and Rescue services and the Internally Displaced Person who reconnects with loved ones using mobile messaging or over the Internet, communication is changing the way we live, socialize and work,” Hosken concludes.