What’s happening in Africa is something of a technological ‘leapfrog’. Because we didn’t have access to computer technology in it’s early stages, Africans have tended to skip certain sections of the technological evolution. For example, many Africans accessed the internet for the first time via the fairly advanced method of a mobile device – because personal computers were simply unnafordable when they first came out.

Now, another leapfrog is about to happen, as faster connectivity reaches Africa. Video currently accounts for less than 6% of internet traffic across Africa, according to the  Sandvine Global Internet Phenomena Report, but that number is expected to grow faster than it did for any other region before it. CEO of Sandvine Dave Caputo:

While video is a small part of mobile bandwidth in the region today, we predict Africa will be the fastest video adopter and operators will respond with creative device-and application-based service tiers.

Currently, only 16% of Africans have internet access. That’s a lot of people who have never, ever, seen a YouTube clip. But, with the exponential increase of high-speed mobile broadband, millions will flock to watch online videos for the first time on their cheap, handheld device.

Which brings us to today’s 2oceansvibe top tip: If you want to make some money, set up an African mobile video streaming service.

[Source : Wired]