Comments on: iPhone Conquest Turns to Africa

By: Fimbo

Fimbo — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:00:45 +0000

Hash
Thanks for the reply. Of course this is not an either/or preposition. The 2 (access and content) have to go hand in hand like a tag team.

But as more of the havenots get connected (probably on android/symbian and also through fiber optics) the issue and opportunity cost from lack of local content and infrastructure ( or ownership thereof) will will become more glaring.

The concern is that Africa will only have a narrow window to migrate their old media to the web before they are annihilated by the onslaught from the west.

By: Yeah And

Yeah And — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:57:52 +0000

Well, as an African living in the west, I can tell you that most buying iphones are doing so largely on credit, driven by the great big materialism that is there to acquire the ‘next biggest best-est thing to show off’. Credit is all what ‘buying power’ is based on, nothing else. Look at their sinking economy to know. So white african, do reserve your judgement.
P.s mzungu chick says hi, haa!
If anyone thinks that Africans couldn’t get the iphones, then they are the typical racists who kept mobile phones out of Africa, only for the open minded to come in and reap profits the way M. Joseph has done. I figure less of Europe is actually interested in the i-phone than Africa would, since Africans are into the same sort of ‘big thing’ mentality that N. America has (through tv, of course). Another big buyer is the middle east, but luckily(for the upcoming mid-east sellers), all big cellphone/i-phone companies will bypass this market as well because of ignorance, forgetting that there are actually quite a number of countries there with a lot of spoilt rich oil people and teenagers than the rest of the world.
Bypassing Africa has been the foolish pastime of the west, until China and India came along, so step aside and let’s do business with people who actually prefer colour-blind business.

By: William Deed

William Deed — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:02:27 +0000

It’s surprising the number of people I see here in the ‘interior’ who access the internet by their phones.

The ‘want’ is there (I was about to call it a ‘need’ and then changed my mind) but as other commenters have said the speed is not so great.

Over the past few days I’ve been teaching some of the rangers here how to use the internet. It was a big unknown at first, even the computer they had no idea, but as to the way the internet works they all keep saying how easy it is as it’s just like a mobile phone.

I think mobile phones will be an important step in much of Africa getting online.

By: The iPhone lands in Africa (and worldwide in 70 countries) « citizen.africa

The iPhone lands in Africa (and worldwide in 70 countries) « citizen.africa — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:51:28 +0000

[…] iPhone is a step in a positive direction. Eric Hersman of WhiteAfrican, a prominent tech Africa blogger forecasts on his blog that “The data networks will become stronger to support it, and local developers will start […]

By: HASH

HASH — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:30:33 +0000

@Fimbo – I completely agree with you if we’re talking total market penetration. However, those that can afford it will buy, if for status only.

Another thought is the smartphone market within enterprises in Africa. Let’s assume that the iPhone is enterprise-ready, as it looks like it will be. If your employees are already using an expensive data-enabled phone, this will fit too.

At first glance there appears to be two viable markets: the haves, and enterprise.

On to bigger things though. The idea of an open platform that allows you to do all that can be done on the iPhone is intriguing. That’s where Android comes in. Once there is enough bandwidth that allows more median-income Africans to get data-enabled phones, the obvious choice will be the open/inexpensive option.

So, while the 3G iPhone very well might be seen as an expensive blip on the radar, it’s also forcing countries and carriers to speed up their plans to create a more robust data network. That’s what I really like about it right now.

By: Fimbo

Fimbo — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:57:16 +0000

Hash
There is little that makes me believe that this 3G Iphone will be anything more than a neat albeit expensive entertainment toy/device.

The 200 $ upfront cost ( over 1500 $ for a 2 year contact) can buy a decent rural based web/data server.

This is what Africa lacks- decent local content and hosting infrastructure.

By: rob

rob — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:45:07 +0000

hash,

from some of the models I have seen, I am sure you could wipe whatever is running on it and load it with something else. I am assuming that is what Android is yeah?:)

My biggest gripe about internet access, whether over a phone or through a wire is that it is friggin slow in these parts.

Until these countries are connected to something providing massive bandwidth at a decent cost, it won’t matter how fancy your device is, access is still going to run at a snails pace.

By: HASH

HASH — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:05:08 +0000

@Rob, that’s an interesting idea, which I think has a lot of legs in Africa. There’s no reason why these Chinese knockoffs can’t start running Android too right?

Something to think about anyway.

@Jikeb – I’m not sure I agree on that premise. You see, people in every country can afford an iPhone. Even though there are thousands of starving, malnourished, homeless people you still find people driving Mercedes, Range Rovers and Pajeros. This is no different, there is always a group that can afford it and will buy it. Capitalism is just doing what it does best here.

By: Jikeb

Jikeb — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:02:53 +0000

“The Iphone 3G in Africa …”
Personally, I think that the various African countries covered by the Iphone 3G, have much better things to do instead of buying this new Apple “gadget”.
Indeed, when I take the example of Cameroon my country, I find it totally absurd to talk about Iphone, when the largest amount of the population faces every day starvation. Is only my point of view.

By: rob

rob — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:57:19 +0000

hash,

do the chinese knock off Iphones count? I don’t think they are 3G but they are pretty cool.

I am still in Juba and keep coming across various models of “Bluetooth” phones with a big Apple logo slapped on the back. These things sport a TV, radio, video/still camera (very poor quality), USB connection, Bluetooth(thats why it is labled bluetooth on the front, but no other name on the phone), standard memory slots(please excuse me, i can’t remember the name, but you can by the card just about anywhere) and a garble of other accessories. Some even come with Dual sim slots.

I saw one “Iphone” that was almost exactly like the original. Expect slightly bulkier and the worst user interface I have ever seen. I thought was the real thing until I started playing with it.

Anyhow, I want to make more comments concerning your post, but I have run out of time… maybe later.

P.S. I wish I was going to be in Nairobi 21st.. grrr…