Towards the deployment and adoption of Location-based services for optimal mobile communication operations in Africa

Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent with about one billion people. Mobile phones are a major source of communication and means of taking information and technology to rural and remote areas of the continent. With low-cost and readily available mobile phones, underprivileged, low-income earners and rural dwellers can also participate in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution. Services are introduced by mobile operators and vendors to enhance and optimize this mobile evolution. One of such service is location-based services (LBS); LBS make available personalized services based on the geographical location of the subscriber’s phone. LBS will be of great technological advantage in Africa optimizing operators’ networks and bringing location information and services closer to the people. This paper offers some suggestions on effective deployment and adoption of LBS in Africa based on case studies from developed and developing countries.