5G for Africa:
The Virtual and Very Real Benefits Will a new generation of mobile technology create a new generation of opportunity and content in virtual sports and gaming? Kiron Interactive considers it a safe bet. THE CHALLENGES of optimising the market for mobile gaming in Africa have been well documented. But despite the issues surrounding infrastructure and cost, mobile adoption on the vast continent continues to grow. A recent study reported that 614m people, over 50% of the population, are mobile subscribers in SubSaharan Africa, with 475m, 39%, actively using mobile internet. New statistics from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) have revealed that 18 countries in Africa are already “evaluating, testing, trialling, deploying 5G,” and of those, eight “have deployed 5G into pre-commercial or commercial networks.” So what does this mean for the African igaming industry? Steven Spartinos, founder and co-CEO of the industry’s leading virtual sports supplier, Kiron Interactive, explored the potential impact of 5G’s rollout on the continent and how it will help strengthen the online space for Kiron and its operators. What is the current state of play in terms of mobile coverage in Africa? Is cost the main barrier, or coverage, or both? Where access to data is limited and streaming is expensive, virtual suppliers are having to adapt their technology to accommodate these challenges by offering lighter versions of their products. The same goes for content too, with operators requiring tailored portfolios to suit the varied player preferences of individual countries. These two factors combined, demand significant investment in new games and formats as well as infrastructure. Is 5G even considered a priority for many countries, or is 4G still developing? Currently, the short-term focus for operators
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Gaming For Africa
and investors is to increase the uptake of 4G with 5G slowly being introduced across the continent primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa. 5G is not an evolution of 4G but a full, new mobile system, which is focused on connecting people and various devices faster and more effectively while also reducing costs and energy consumption making it an environmentally friendly solution. In time, it will benefit the faster placement of bets, quicker download time of game viewers and overall improvements for omnichannel solutions. Will an improvement in general mobile technology (i.e. handsets) allow Kiron to create more enhanced titles? Is this necessary in Africa, or is the current level of tech sufficient to roll out fan-favourite games on the continent? The driving force behind the igaming industry is technology, so its continued growth is not only encouraged but also expected. The introduction of 5G to the African market should have a positive impact on infrastructure which is currently one of Africa’s main obstacles. We believe that 5G will contribute greatly to the growth of a more tailored offering to the African player. An example of this is the introduction of a simplified game interface designed to offer more value to African customers. What benefits would 5G bring to the African industry in general and more specifically for Kiron? From a technological standpoint, 5G, in general, brings a host of improvements over its predecessors, not least in increased speed and bandwidth but also greater device density, Improved WAN connections, fixed wireless access upgrades and low latency connections.
The additional improved battery life for devices and enhanced security with hardened endpoints combine to create a far more powerful tool to aid mobile e-commerce. This in turn opens up far greater opportunities for suppliers like Kiron. New games in new and existing territories will follow with simplified interfaces to suit the network. Streamlined betting processes throughout omnichannel solutions would bring in a host of new operator partners and consequently greater demographic penetration. We have already seen the benefits of a robust and advanced mobile network in South Africa where we launched Jika Sports in late 2019, a virtual betting destination tailored specifically for that market. Its introduction made virtual sports available across all major South African bookmakers online, on mobile and in retail outlets. The response to it has been fantastic and it shows what can be done to bespoke your products for a market, not just in Africa but Globally. The Covid-19 pandemic has inadvertently resulted in a massive rise of streaming media and online gaming, the likes of which are only set to increase over the coming months. 5G has certainly found a place in the provision of quality connectivity for entertainment. Elements such as AR and VR will also depend on reliable, affordable internet. Is 5G already on the roadmap for Kiron in any shape? Is it a consideration for R&D at the moment? Yes, 5G is most definitely part of our R&D. Kiron is continuously looking to further develop its offering to the market by improving gameplay, ensuring more realistic outcomes and increased value to the player. The pandemic saw the closure of the landbased sports betting industry and created a surge in mobile activity. Combine this with the growing acceptance and use of alternative electronic wallet payment platforms and steadily improving mobile infrastructure, the time is most definitely right to make this a key focus for our future plans. Making 5G a consideration within our strategy is vital as the industry takes a shift towards a more virtual online focus and Africa continues to develop. As I mentioned previously, technology is the driving force in our industry and 5G is a key – and exciting - part of this. It’s a promising time to be in this industry and particularly virtuals and Kiron will ensure that it remains at the forefront of it. June / July 2021
