From Money Web

The fast growing internet smartphone penetration in South Africa and the continent continues to create an insatiable demand for digital media content among consumers.

Despite this, fewer players are tapping into this fertile market for opportunities.

In fact, more research is pointing to consumers accessing the internet through smartphones and tablets compared with desktop computers.

Recent figures from Informa Telecoms & Media support this view, with the number of smartphone connections in Africa set to rise from 79 million in 2012 to 418 million by 2018.

Also the growing availability of mobile broadband networks in the continent is supportive in the connectivity of consumers, paving the way for a strong investment case in digital media.

Up until recently, telecommunications networks have provided digital media services such as music and gaming as part of their offering, as data usage has over years consistently has trumped voice.

A new player in the market looks to be the disruptor in the market. Founder and former CEO of Primedia William Kirsh recently launched Tritech Media, which he says is the first fully-fledged media technology group in South Africa.

Tritech Media focuses on three aspects of media technology; digital media, customised content and proprietary technology to both consumers and corporates.

For consumers, Tritech Media offers customised digital media content through its subsidiary Opengate, as the exclusive distributor of iTunes and Google Play prepaid physical and digital vouchers in the country.

“In South Africa you don’t have many digital media customisation opportunities. That is why we believe that we are strategically well-positioned in this market because the market is not customisation friendly,” Kirsh says.

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