Hot Spots For VoIP Business Opportunities In Africa

VoIP is now gaining ground in Africa following steady improvements in Internet bandwidth and the growing number of VoIP service providers entering the market. There is still a large market for smaller providers and grey route termination with 10% of the the international call market using VoIP through the grey route method, there is few competitors and unclear regulations. 

Algeria VOIP- Get started in Algeria as soon as possible as the market is set to open in 2005.

While the fixed-line network is expanding slowly, the mobile sector has enjoyed extraordinary growth since the launch of the second (privately-owned) network in early-2002. In keeping with the government’s intention to make the telecom sector more competitive, another private mobile licence was issued in December 2003 and commercial service launched in August 2004. 2003 also saw the introduction of ADSL broadband services and the temporary legalisation of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, a move from which the government retreated in 2004. Full liberalisation of the telecommunications market is now planned for 2005.

Suggested Opportunities:

- Mobile termination routes
- web2phone and pc-to-phone clients
- Enterprise PBXs

To set-up a VoIP service in Algeria, please contact Gibson@vocalscape.com, we are actively looking for partners and clients in Algeria.

Egypt VOIP- Still regulated but there are big opportunities with $2.5 billion USD in long distance.

In Egypt, VoIP is now being adopted by the monopoly carrier, Egypt Telecom, in the face of a myriad of illegal providers denting long distance and international revenues by setting-up grey routes. Ahmed Nazif, Egyptian minister of communication and information technology, was reported to say "If you can't beat them, join them." The Egyptian market currently generates $2.5 billion in international telephone revenues, and new VoIP services will bring an additional pathway for calls in and out of Egypt.

Suggested Opportunities:

- Mobile termination routes
- web2phone and pc-to-phone clients
- Enterprise PBXs

Kenya VOIP- Not very much data, but a large opportunity.

Little data is available on the Kenya market but it is clear that a large number of people using calling cards and pc-to-phone services to call back to Kenya. Daily there are over 300 - 400 posts of firms looking to purchase minutes in Kenya, Grey Routes or White Routes. Creating gateways and a calling card business in Kenya could be highly profitable. The population is large enough and the number of Kenyans in other Countries gives a large domestic and international market.

Suggested Opportunities:

- Calling Card prepaid Cluster
- Mobile termination routes
- web2phone and pc-to-phone clients
- Enterprise PBXs

Nigeria VOIP

In Nigeria there is a high level of underserved telephony communities in Nigeria, although as many of the Countries in Africa, a majority of minutes are related to Calling Cards. Although there have been increase in the teledensity in recent times by the introduction of GSM technology and Grey Routes, a vast majority of the population is still outside the market reach of this expensive telephony.

Nigeria is still one of the nations that has not chosen which way to go. AS the world embraces VoiP for cheaper telecommunications services, Nigeria appears to be lagging behind as the country's regulatory agencies and even the operators are not yet decided on which way to go. If you go into the market knowing what you want to do, you will be ahead of the game.

At a recent seminar on VoiP organized by the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Lagos, Omo Ettu had argued that there were unlicensed VOIP providers in the country who can be said to be a threat to investment.

But he asked: What to do about them-Ban them? Regularize them? Regulate them? Or Ignore them? At the pace the Commission is moving in Nigeria, the opportunity is still wide open and unaddressed.

Some of the more innovative models being discussed for Nigeria are:

To put in place an infrastructure of nationwide remote region (rural) BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) network based on satellite and WiMax technology to carry SIP based VoIP. The WiMax should be both fixed wireless (portable) and nomadic mobile, with zero-installed customer premises equipment (CPE).

The most probable strategy would be to culminate in the coverage of all major cities and then the underserved and last mile locations within Nigeria in two to three years and the creation of a streamlined, integrated and converged network based on IP technology.
· Phase I – To cover large cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna, Warri, Benin, Onitsha.
· Phase II – To cover all the state capitals and most profitable surrounding cities.

Somalia VOIP

A huge international opportunity with the number of Somalians living in other Countries call home via calling cards and VoIP regularily. Little data is available on Somalia. Creating gateways and a calling card business in Somalia could be highly profitable. The population is large enough and the number of Somalians in other Countries gives a large domestic and international market. With few firms capitalizing on this market, it is open for entrepreneurs. In recent discussions with firms wanting VocalScape to set-up an office with them in Somalia, it became apparent that a huge opportunity exists in the market and the regulations are not clear.

South Africa VOIP

In my eyes the largest opportunity for VoIP still exists in South Africa. THE arrival of VOIP (voice over internet protocol) in February will be "chaotic" as companies position themselves in this newly deregulated market, preparing to take advantage of the liberalisation.

The advent of VOIP is a consequence of government's decision to deregulate the telecoms market earlier this year, creating a buzz in the industry mainly because of the prospect for significantly cheaper calls, especially for high-volume business users.

This new terrain is likely to boost data traffic on SA's telecoms networks and result in declining voice traffic, as voice traffic moves to what were previously data systems.

Ordinary users might not even notice any physical difference when they use the telephone at work as the behind-thescenes switching infrastructure automatically re-routes telephone calls down data lines.

Most modern PBX systems such as VocalScape's PBX are already capable of making the switch, but the change could require upgraded bandwidth. But equally, for companies that already have diginet and DSL lines, for example, cost savings are theoretically conceivable over and above the general savings the new technology offers.

In short, it is potentially a hot market. But for this very reason, the number of players aiming to jump in is large.

Suggested Opportunities:

- Calling Card prepaid Cluster
- Mobile termination routes
- web2phone and pc-to-phone clients
- Enterprise PBXs

The Legal Advice

In those countries where VoIP is not tolerated it is, however, possible to terminate traffic, provided it is terminated as POTS telephony. Incoming traffic that has been originated in a VoIP-network can then not be distinguished from PSTN-traffic if - and that is basically the point - it will be handed over for the termination in a PSTN to a switch in that PSTN.

For the VoIP provider with global aspirations the advice is to talk to the regulator or relevant government ministry in each country. Offer it where it is allowed and make sure it is handed over according to the law in other countries, or at least if the laws are not clear, be sure to go into the opportunity with immediate back-up plans for your clients. Appropriate back-up plans can be developed on a Country by Country basis and cost analsysis of the risks is easy enough to do if you compare your business with the number of grey routes and firms terminating in that Country to date.

VOCALSCAPE is interested in finding vendors, partners, and implementors in each of the above mentioned Coutries. Please contact Gibson@vocalscape.com if there is interest in opening a VocalScape Office in your Country or region.

Comments

[Agbai Ogbuja]

It gladens my heart hearing that you can come to our country Nigeria and establish your company phone Card Business here in Nigeria. Like you rightly put it, there is great demand for such business.

What is more we are standing by waiting for such opportunity. Hence, we apply for PARTNERSHIP.

Thank you.

Ogbuja

[Tinyiko]

i am currently setting a VoIP business in South africa in anticipation of the forth coming deregulation of the local telecom industry. i am very interested in terminating calls for voice traffic here in South africa as well as originating calls to mostly central and west african states (such as Nigeria,Congo,Zaire,Mozambique). I would appreciate any feedback from potential partners.

Thanks

Tinyiko

[YN]

We currently own gateways in Cameroon. We are looking for partners in more countries. If interested please write lets talk....

[Marshall Anako]

I am interested in seting up the VoIP Termination business or any other business you have in Nigeria and Benin Republic.
Please feed me with more information. Thank you.

[Linda]

Im interested in Setting up a VOIP termination business in Ghana and Nigeria.
please furnish me with more information.Many thanks

[Telly]

SIP Eyefon to Eyefon calls for free. http://www.eyefon.com

[Jack Ryan]

I am interested in Setting up a VOIP termination business (prepaid calling cards) to service Africa. Please provide me with companies with turn key solutions. Thank you.

[jules yao]

iam pretty much interested in setting up a viop business in ivory coast .
please could someone inform me about the different steps to take to achieve this goal. regarding business plan ; info gathering and potential contacts. thanks

[sami]

i want to provide gray route in pakistan
pls contect me

sami

[syed]

hi

i have 24 line for pakistan mobile 92300 code and looking for traffic if u have let me know your terms and rate. and i wanna start that asap

thanks

[Frederick A. Whittington II]

I am looking for voIP business opportunities international. Please e-mail with information.

[Anthony Obioha]

I am interested in seting up the VoIP Termination business or any other business you have in Nigeria.

Please provide me with more information.

Thank you.

[Gamal]

We have termination gateway in SUDAN
please let me know if you are interested

Thanks

[Gamal]

We have termination gateway in SUDAN
please let me know if you are interested

Thanks

[ECSQATAR]

grey routes all over pakistan available , add me in ur msn to get into business.

[Trevor Young]

I am interested in seting up a VoIP Termination in Sierra Leone, but lack sufficient information and VoIP contacts.
Any related info will be greatly appreciated, Thank you.

[cadio]

We offer Ph Mobile,we are looking forward to do business kindly email if you can help us. Thank You...

[Melaku]

hey

i live in Australia i am interested in Setting up a VOIP termination business (prepaid calling cards) to service in Sudan and Ethiopia. Please provide me with information if you know any termination point to these country or any other way.i have potential custumer here in Australia to call to sudan and Ethiopia

Thank you

melaku

[asif]

I want to establish IP center for gray route in pakistan.. anyone interested contact me

[Mohd]

Hi, I'm a service provider and need a good route with good ASR to Egypt.
If anyone have, pls contact me urgently

[Andres Cerda]

I need direct routes to :
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Poland
Latin American
Egypt

Please mail me
andres.cerda@realtelekom.com

[abraham]

we provide voip services and to help partners in Africa set up calling cards and voip services, pc to phone, phone to phone etc
www.wizetalk.com
sagewise canada inc

[Dilibe Aneke]

I have been in touch with events back home in Nigeria and the rate at wihich the telecommunication industry is booming in our great country. Additonally I am delighted with particularly the use of VOIP telephony for managing the delivery of voice information over the Internet. VoIP will help people save on the tolls charged by ordinary telephone service...Please I would like to how the proceedings and requirements on how to embark on this technology. One more thing Does VoIP use any sort of real-time protocol. Dilibe Aneke BS, MSc

[Mohamed Samir]

HI
I need answerse for Algeria ,Codivour,Ethiopia
Is VOIP Legal or not?
The Prices and restrictions for giving license?
Thanks

[Victor Shark]

We are looking for Asia and Africa in VoIP termination sphere. If you are interested in co-work, visit our site http://voip.7aaa.com and contact with us.