How South Africans Use Cell Phones

How South Africans use cell phones More South Africans have access to mobile phones than clean water. The country is currently 6th on the World's Top 10 List for Mobile Internet Connectivity. That said, SA businesses need to recognize the plethora of mobile internet opportunities available to them. () Telecommunications In South Africa, there are about 29 million cell phones compared to a mere 5 million Landline Phones. There are more active SIM cards than citizens in the country (Different operators' SIM cards are used at different times of the day depending on call/text/data cost). Cell Phones 29 Million Radios 28 Million T.V 27 Million P.C 6 Million Landlines 5 Million General Internet Users There were approximately 8.5 million internet users in South Africa at the end of 2011. The number of internet users in South Africa has grown significantly over the last few years. It is projected that by 2020 there will be 25 million internet users in the country. Last year alone, growth in the South African user base was 25%. E-Commerce 20 Million South African e-commerce is growing at a rate of around 30 per- 10 Million 8.5 Million cent a year with growth showing no signs of slowing down. 6.8 Million 2010 2011 2012 Projected 2020 Projected Internet Access 2.48 million South Africans accessed the internet via cell phones alone, while 6.2 million used computers, laptops or tablets to access the internet (of which, 90% used their cellphone concurrently). 7.1% 63.9% 29% used only computers, laptops and tablets. used computers, laptops and tablets as well as cell phones used only cell phones A total of 7.9 million South Africans used their cell phones to access the internet in 2011. Social Network Users Social networks are particularly popular with South Africans. MXit has over 10 million registered users and receives 40 000 new registrations every single day. This is by far the most popular social network in the country. Google+ On average, MXit receives 40 000 new registrations every day in South Africa 466 826 Linkedin in 1 100 000 Twitter 1 100 000 BBM BBM 13 300 000 Facebook 4 800 000 MXit 10 000 000 Mobile Operators South Africa is particularly competitive when it comes to mobile service providers. Vodacom wins with approximately 41% market share. MTN follows at a close second with a 40% market share. 95% have been with 41% 40% their network for about 4.2 years 18% 1% CELLO 8•ta MTN vodafone powered by Telkom Prepaid VS Contract Prepaid 82% Contract 18% 70% of mobile subscribers do not own a landline SMS Comes out tops * 69% of consumers prefer SMSing to calling * * SMS is used 4.2 more times than Email * How Peofle Use Smartphones South Africans are using mobile connectivity in various and interesting ways. Most mobile internet users use their smartphones to browse the internet, to read or send emails as well as to access a social network. Browsed the Internet Sent or Received Email Accessed a Social Network Product Search Downloaded Mobile Content Searched for Travel/Holidays Purchased a Product Most Popular Mabile Phone SAMSUNG Contrary to popular belief, the most popular mobile phone in South Africa is not Blackberry. It is the Samsung E250 with sales reaching R4,5 million (approximately the total of all Blackberry models ever sold in SA). This phone is value for money and comes with an FM radio, music player, camera, web browser, memory card, Bluetooth, USB port and more. OK Mobile Marketing Advantages It is crucial that businesses begin thinking in creative ways in order to effectively implement their mobile marketing strategies. The advantages of mobile marketing are as follows: • Affordable • Wide reach - Easy to Execute • Direct Marketing / Targeted - Variety of Marketing Channels Brand Awareness • Interactive • Track Responsiveness In the words of Hillary Clinton: "There are 4 billion cell phones in use today. Many of them are in the hands of market vendors, rickshaw drivers, and others who've historically lacked access to education and opportunity. Information networks have become a great leveller, and we should use them together to help lift people out of poverty and give them a free- dom from want." Created by: MXcellent Media the innovative approach to web marketing • Online Marketing • Web Development • Web Design • SEO • Social Media • Content Management • Web Hosting Sources: http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/global/mobile-phones-dominate-in-south-africal http://www.digitalfire.co.za/blog/mobile-marketing http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/Google-reveals-Africa-internet-state-20120503 http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54228:sa-a-mature-smartphone-market http://mybroadband.co.za/news/internet/44061-biggest-social-networks-in-south-africa.html http://rwrant.co.za/some-interesting-intemet-mobile-statistics-g-south-africal http://mybroadband.co.za/news/internet/49767-sa-intemet-user-numbers-blossom.html http://www.oummobileplanet.com http://www.marklives.com/wordpress/2012/02/the-most-popular-mobile-phone-in-south-africa-is/ http://memebum.com/2012/05/8-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-intemet-in-south-africal http://www.marklives.com/wordpress/2012/05/intemet-access-in-south-africa-to-hit-20-penetration-by-2013/