Africa's mobile revolution--the second phase.

For over five decades, since most of Africa achieved its independence, the continent's telecommunications system was the least developed in the world. The exceptions, which proved the rule, were South Africa and to some extent, Zimbabwe. Even making local calls was a painful and frustrating business and successful international calls were often celebrated as minor miracles. Over the years, Africa's fixed line networks have generally deteriorated rather than improved. The reasons were many: the vast spaces of most African countries, the small, isolated markets, the lack of physical infrastructure on which to lay networks, short-sighted government regulations, state-owned monopolies and a host of other impediments meant that the vast sums needed for investment could not be found.

Then the cell phone revolution began. This technology, combined with satellite-based communications, seemed tailor-made for Africa. Growth rates in the mobile telecoms sector in Africa outstripped all other regions. At last, Africans could talk to each other and the rest of the world.

Now the second spurt has begun as mobile operators compete, consolidate through mergers and acquisitions and apply cutting-edge technology to Africa's communications needs.

This cover story was written by African Business editor Anver Versi and associate editor Neil Ford.