Pete Bell

Pete Bell is a Research Analyst for TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database and also contributes to the daily CommsUpdate newsletter. He has a particular interest in wireless broadband and was responsible for TeleGeography’s 4G Research Service until it was integrated into GlobalComms.

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Recent Posts

Sep 12, 2024

5G Potential in Europe

The first commercial 5G mobile networks were launched in Europe in mid-2019. Roughly one year later, most countries’ main mass-market rollouts were already underway.

The technology continues to grow in popularity as network deployments progress. At the end of June 2024, there were an estimated 190 million 5G subscriptions across Europe, up from around 130 million a year earlier.

In European markets where 5G is available, the technology accounts for an average of 27% of all mobile subscriptions.

Jul 10, 2024

6G in Six Years?

In May 2021, TeleGeography reviewed the early stages of development of 6G mobile technology. Three years on, we turn the spotlight back onto the nascent 6G market to see how things are shaping up.

May 21, 2024

Starlink Expanding in Africa

Starlink, the satellite broadband provider operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is growing its presence in Africa.

As of May 2024, Starlink’s services are live in eight African countries, with more launches planned for the coming months.

Apr 18, 2024

Mobile and Fixed Broadband Sectors Continued To Grow in 2023

According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, the global mobile subscription total stood at 8.74 billion at the end of 2023, up 2.0% from 8.57 billion a year earlier.

Population penetration rose from 108% to 109% over the same period, boosted by the popularity of multiple SIM ownership in many markets.

Mar 25, 2024

Nigeria: Africa’s Mobile Giant

Nigeria is home to Africa’s biggest mobile market by some distance, with 217.5 million subscriptions at the end of 2023, up from 209.5 million a year earlier.

The next largest African markets at end-2023 were South Africa with 118.9 million subscriptions, and Egypt with 111.1 million, according to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database.

Feb 6, 2024

China: The World’s Biggest 5G Market

With an estimated 750 million active subscriptions at the end of September 2023, China has the world’s largest 5G mobile market by far.

Dec 27, 2023

Iliad and Vodafone: More Consolidation in Italy?

French telco group Iliad has submitted a proposal to UK-based Vodafone Group regarding the potential merger of their respective operations in Italy.

If successful, the merger will have a big impact on the Italian mobile market, reducing it from five players to four, while also combining the fixed broadband operations of the two companies.

The deal is by no means guaranteed to go through, however. Even if Vodafone’s response is positive, regulatory authorities must then study its effects on competition.

Nov 15, 2023

All Change in Ethiopia

Until recently, Ethiopia was one of the few telecom markets in the world that was still a monopoly, with no competition to state-owned firm Ethio Telecom.

Oct 25, 2023

Do Svidaniya: VEON Exits Russia

Following the sale of its local operations on October 9, 2023, Amsterdam-based multinational telecom group VEON has completed its exit from Russia.

Aug 15, 2023

Target Acquired: e& Sets Its Sights on Europe

United Arab Emirates (UAE) telco e&—formerly known as Etisalat Group—is slowly but surely building a presence in Europe.