Assessing the impact of telecoms traffic monitoring systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

In Sub-Saharan Africa, several national governments and regulators have adopted technical solutions that involve the installation of external equipment in telecoms networks by a third-party vendor to monitor telecoms traffic data. These telecoms traffic monitoring systems (TTMSs) can actively or passively collect, record or tap into content of incoming and outgoing electronic communications traffic in real-time, and store or report this information to the telecoms regulator or other authority.

This analysis outlines the findings of a GSMA survey of national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and mobile operators in Sub-Saharan Africa to understand the impact of TTMS implementations in the region. It concludes that governments need to reassess their approach to telecoms traffic monitoring, with a view to utilising secure, more efficient and cost-effective methods in line with international best practices.