- Open Access
- Article
Analysis of 5G Business Model Components for Mobile Network Operators in Sub-Saharan Africa
1 Wits Business School (WBS), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Journal of Engineering Research and Sciences, Volume 4, Issue 2, Page # 1-10, 2025; DOI: 10.55708/js0402001
Keywords: 5G, Business Model, Components, Mobile Network Operator, Sub-Saharan AfricaÂ
Received: 20 December 2024, Revised: 30 January 2025, Accepted: 31 January 2025, Published Online: 06 February 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Special Issue on Multidisciplinary Sciences and Advanced Technology 2024 & Section Biochemical Research Methods (BRM))
APA Style
Banda, L. (2025). Analysis of 5G business model components for mobile network operators in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Engineering Research and Sciences, 4(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.55708/js0402001
Chicago/Turabian Style
Banda, Laurence. “Analysis of 5G Business Model Components for Mobile Network Operators in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Journal of Engineering Research and Sciences 4, no. 2 (2025): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.55708/js0402001.
IEEE Style
L. Banda, “Analysis of 5G business model components for mobile network operators in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Journal of Engineering Research and Sciences, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1–10, 2025, doi: 10.55708/js0402001.
The fierce race among mobile network operators (MNOs) to roll out fifth-generation (5G) networks has intensified. One of the potential markets where 5G deployment has increased tremendously is Sub-Saharan Africa. This is primarily due to rapid economic growth and the new opportunities that 5G networks and the associated technologies are expected to offer through sustainable digital transformation. However, research on 5G has mainly focused on the technical aspects with minimal consideration of the business side. Furthermore, research on business models for emerging 5G networks in the African context has received little attention from the scholarly community. This article explores and analyzes the components of the 5G business model for mobile network operators in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study is timely as MNOs should re-evaluate their existing business models to withstand the economic disruption that 5G networks bring. The study was conducted using a quantitative research method through a statistical analysis approach. Empirical results show that the performance of some business model components directly affects others, while other components are not directly related.
- ITU-R, “IMT Vision – Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2020 and beyond,” ITU, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://www.itu.int/dms_pubrec/itu-r/rec/m/R-REC-M.2083-0-201509-I!!PDF-E.pdf
- J. Whalley and P. Curwen, “Creating value from 5G: The challenge for mobile operators,” Telecommunications Policy, vol. 48, no. 2, p. 102647, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.telpol.2023.102647.
- L. Banda, M. Mzyece, and F. Mekuria, “5G Business Models for Mobile Network Operators—A Survey,” IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 94851–94886, 2022, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3205011.
- C. Najjuuko, G. K. Ayebare, R. Lukanga, E. Mugume, and D. Okello, “A Survey of 5G for Rural Broadband Connectivity,” in 2021 IST-Africa Conference (IST-Africa), IEEE, pp. 1–10, 2021.
- S. Moqaddamerad, “Visioning Business Model Innovation for Emerging 5G Mobile Communications Networks,” Technology Innovation Management Review, vol. 10, no. 12, 2020.
- H. Frank, C. Colman-Meixner, K. D. R. Assis, S. Yan, and D. Simeonidou, “Techno-Economic Analysis of 5G Non-Public Network Architectures,” IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 70204–70218, 2022, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3187727.
- L. Banda, “Conceptual Business Model Framework for AI-based Private 5G-IoT Networks,” Journal of Engineering Research and Sciences, vol. 3, no. 10, pp. 13–20, 2024, doi: 10.55708/js0310002.
- A. Balakrishnan, S. De, and L.-C. Wang, “Network operator revenue maximization in dual powered green cellular networks,” IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 1791–1805, 2021.
- E. Borcoci, A.-M. Drăgulinescu, F. Y. Li, M.-C. Vochin, and K. Kjellstadli, “An overview of 5G slicing operational business models for Internet of vehicles, maritime IoT applications and connectivity solutions,” IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 156624–156646, 2021.
- E. J. Oughton, N. Comini, V. Foster, and J. W. Hall, “Policy choices can help keep 4G and 5G universal broadband affordable,” Technological Forecasting and Social Change, vol. 176, p. 121409, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121409.
- B. W. Wirtz, A. Pistoia, S. Ullrich, and V. Göttel, “Business models: Origin, development and future research perspectives,” Long Range Planning, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 36–54, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.lrp.2015.04.001.
- I. M. Garba, O. Oshiga, and L. B. Moriki, “Deployment, Standardization and Regulatory Challenges Of 5G Services In Africa: Nigeria As A Case Study,” in 2022 IEEE Nigeria 4th
International Conference on Disruptive Technologies for Sustainable
Development (NIGERCON), IEEE, Lagos, Nigeria, pp. 1–5, 2022, doi: 10.1109/NIGERCON54645.2022.9803135 - W. Coetzee, F. Mekuria, and Z. du Toit, Making 5G a reality for Africa, 2018.
- Ericsson, “5G for business: a 2030 market compass – Setting a direction for 5G-powered B2B opportunities,” Ericsson, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.ericsson.com/en/5g/5g-for-business/5g-for-business-a-2030-market-compass
- C. Russell, “SDG 11,” BGjournal, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 31–33, 2018.
- GSMA, The Mobile Economy: Sub-Saharan Africa 2023, 2023.
- K. Okeleke, J. Joiner, and E. Kolta, 5G in Africa: realising the potential, GSMA Intelligence, 2022.
- M. Jaber, M. A. Imran, R. Tafazolli, and A. Tukmanov, “5G backhaul challenges and emerging research directions: A survey,” IEEE Access, vol. 4, pp. 1743–1766, 2016, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2016.2556011.
- C. Handforth, “Closing the coverage gap: How innovation can drive rural connectivity,” GSMA Connected Society (GSMA), 2019.
- G. O. Ovenseri-Ogbomo et al., “Factors associated with the myth about 5G network during COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa,” Journal of Global Health Reports, 2020, doi: 10.29392/001c.18116.
- A. Osterwalder and Y. Pigneur, “Investigating the Use of the Business Model Concept through Interviews,” Association for Information Systems AIS Electronic Library (AISeL), 2004.
- J. Bloomfield and M. J. Fisher, “Quantitative research design,” Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses Association, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 27–30, 2019.
- M. Sarstedt, C. M. Ringle, and J. F. Hair, “Partial least squares structural equation modeling,” in Handbook of Market Research, Springer, pp. 587–632, 2021, doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-05542-8_15-2.
- E. Edeh, W.-J. Lo, and J. Khojasteh, “Review of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Using R: A Workbook,” 2023.
- J. F. Hair, C. M. Ringle, and M. Sarstedt, “Partial least squares structural equation modeling: Rigorous applications, better results and higher acceptance,” Long Range Planning, vol. 46, no. 1–2, pp. 1–12, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.lrp.2013.01.001.
- J. F. Hair Jr., L. M. Matthews, R. L. Matthews, and M. Sarstedt, “PLS-SEM or CB-SEM: updated guidelines on which method to use,” International Journal of Multivariate Data Analysis, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 107–123, 2017, doi: 10.1504/IJMDA.2017.087624.
- M. P. N. Janadari, S. S. Ramalu, and C. Wei, “Evaluation of measurement and structural model of the reflective model constructs in PLS–SEM,” in Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium—2016 South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL), Oluvil, Sri Lanka, pp. 187–194, 2016.
- J. F. Hair, G. T. M. Hult, C. M. Ringle, and M. Sarstedt, A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), 3rd ed., SAGE Publications, 2022.
- K. Nusair and N. Hua, “Comparative assessment of structural equation modeling and multiple regression research methodologies: E-commerce context,” Tourism Management, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 314–324, 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.tourman.2009.03.010.